Two students preparing for competitive examinations have died in separate incidents in Kota, Rajasthan, police confirmed on Monday, 26 October 2026, triggering investigations into both cases. The deaths — of a 16-year-old JEE aspirant from Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, and a 19-year-old NEET aspirant from Darbhanga, Bihar — have once again drawn attention to the pressures faced by students in the city widely regarded as India's coaching hub.

JEE Aspirant Found Hanging in PG Accommodation

The 16-year-old student was found hanging inside his locked room at a paying guest (PG) accommodation in Mahavir Nagar-I, under the Jawahar Nagar police station area, on Sunday night, 25 October. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Manish Sharma, the student had arrived in Kota approximately six months ago to prepare for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).

According to Assistant Sub-Inspector Mahendra Singh of the Jawahar Nagar police station, the student had returned to his PG after attending a test at his coaching centre earlier that evening. At around 10 pm, when a fellow student in the opposite room received no response to repeated knocks, he alerted the PG manager. The manager reportedly looked through a window and saw the student hanging inside the locked room. Police subsequently recovered the body and transported it to MBS Hospital. The student's family was informed that night and travelled to Kota. The reason behind the death had not yet been established, police said.

NEET Aspirant Dies After Being Found Unconscious in Bathroom

In a separate incident, a 19-year-old NEET aspirant — a native of Darbhanga, Bihar — was found unconscious in the bathroom of his hostel, Shreeji Residency, in the Landmark area under the jurisdiction of the Kunhadi police station. According to Assistant Sub-Inspector Dhanraj, the student had been living in Kota for approximately two years to prepare for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

On 24 October at around 1 pm, the student returned to the hostel with food but subsequently stopped responding to knocks on his door. On 25 October, his brother — who was staying in the same hostel — also failed to get a response. Hostel management was informed, and upon breaking open the door, found the student unconscious in the bathroom. He was rushed to MBS Hospital, where he died a few hours later. A minor injury mark was reportedly noticed near his ear, possibly caused by a fall; the exact cause of the injury and death remains subject to investigation.

Family Raises Suspicions; Case Registered Under IPC Section 306

The family of the NEET aspirant has raised suspicions about the circumstances of his death and demanded a thorough investigation. According to reports, police registered a case under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code following the family's complaint. Both cases are currently under investigation, and police have stated they are yet to formally establish the circumstances surrounding either death.

Kota's Ongoing Crisis Among Student Aspirants

This comes amid a longstanding and well-documented pattern of student distress in Kota, which hosts hundreds of thousands of aspirants annually from across India. The city has recorded multiple student deaths in recent years, prompting state and central authorities to periodically announce welfare measures — including mandatory counselling at coaching institutes, anti-suicide nets on hostel balconies, and regular wellness checks. Critics argue that structural pressures — intense competition, distance from family, and the high-stakes nature of JEE and NEET — continue to outpace the support systems in place. Notably, both incidents occurred on the same day, deepening concern among student welfare advocates and parents.

Investigations into both deaths remain ongoing, and authorities are expected to submit findings to the families in the coming days.