New Delhi, India – A new report has revealed a disturbing rise in student suicides across India, growing at an alarming rate that outpaces both the country's population growth and overall suicide trends. The report, titled “Student Suicides: An Epidemic Sweeping India,” was launched at the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024, using data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
According to the report, while overall suicide rates in India have increased by 2% annually, student suicides have surged by 4% each year over the past two decades, indicating a serious crisis within the educational system and society at large. The report further highlights that these figures might be an underestimation due to likely under-reporting of student suicides, driven by social stigma and the legal consequences associated with suicide attempts under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code.
The data shows that in 2022, male students accounted for 53% of the total student suicides. However, there has been a shift in trends: between 2021 and 2022, suicides among male students decreased by 6%, while those among female students increased by 7%.
The report also underscores that, despite a slight decrease in the population of young people aged 0-24—from 582 million to 581 million over the last decade—the number of student suicides has nearly doubled, rising from 6,654 cases to 13,044 cases.
The states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh are identified as the regions with the highest numbers of student suicides, together accounting for nearly one-third of the national total. Southern states and union territories collectively contribute 29% of these cases, while Rajasthan, particularly known for its high-pressure academic coaching hubs like Kota, ranks 10th in the list.
The IC3 Institute, which compiled the report, is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to supporting high schools globally by providing training and resources to establish effective career and college counseling departments. The institute stresses the urgent need for targeted interventions and mental health support to address the crisis and prevent further loss of young lives.
The report calls for greater awareness and policy changes to combat the rising trend of student suicides, urging educational institutions, policymakers, and society to create a more supportive environment for students to reduce the pressure and stigma associated with academic performance and mental health challenges.
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