A 21-year-old medical aspirant in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, has died by suicide after reportedly becoming deeply distressed when she did not secure a medical seat in the first round of NEET-UG counselling. The student, identified as Sruthi Laya, had cleared the NEET-UG examination this year after preparing for a second attempt, but her name was reportedly missing from the first-round seat allotment list. Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
Sruthi had completed her Class 12 education in Palayamkottai in 2023 and subsequently joined a coaching centre to prepare for NEET. She had appeared for the examination the previous year but was unable to secure a medical seat. Determined to pursue her goal of becoming a doctor, she prepared again and successfully cleared NEET-UG in 2026. However, reports said she was deeply disappointed after learning that she had not received a seat in the first round of counselling.
Family Reportedly Found Her Near Home
According to reports, Sruthi was reportedly disturbed after the first-round counselling results were released. She went to bed that night, but her family could not find her inside the house the following morning.
Family members searched the house and surrounding property before reportedly finding her in a shed near their residence. Police from the Perumalpuram police station reached the location after being alerted and sent the body to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination. A case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
Police are also examining whether factors beyond the counselling outcome may have contributed to the incident. The exact circumstances and reasons surrounding the death will become clearer as the investigation progresses.
Incident Highlights Pressure Around Medical Admissions
The incident has renewed attention on the intense pressure faced by students seeking admission to medical colleges through NEET. Clearing the entrance examination does not guarantee an MBBS seat, as admission also depends on rank, seat availability, category, preferences and the counselling process.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president B. Manickam Tagore expressed grief over Sruthi's death and renewed his demand for the abolition of NEET. He pointed to the gap between the number of students aspiring to study medicine and the number of available medical seats in the state.
The tragedy has also prompted renewed calls for stronger emotional and academic support for students navigating highly competitive entrance examinations. Missing a counselling round or not securing a preferred seat does not necessarily end a student's educational journey, as subsequent counselling rounds and alternative academic options may remain available.
Anyone experiencing overwhelming distress or thoughts of self-harm should seek immediate support from a trusted person, mental-health professional or local emergency service.
