Education – NEET Cancellation Shock Deepens Amid Rajasthan Student Death Case
Education – A tragic incident in Rajasthan’s coaching hub of Sikar has intensified concerns surrounding the cancelled NEET-UG 2026 examination after a 23-year-old aspirant allegedly died by suicide days after the test was scrapped over a suspected paper leak controversy.
Pradeep Mahich, a medical entrance candidate from Jhunjhunu district, was found hanging in his rented room located in the Jaldhari Nagar area of Sikar on Friday, according to police officials. Investigators said he allegedly used a scarf belonging to his sister to hang himself from a ceiling fan inside the accommodation where he had been staying for the past several years while preparing for NEET.
Family Describes Emotional Distress After Exam Cancellation
Relatives of the deceased said Pradeep had been deeply disturbed since authorities announced the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination following allegations of widespread irregularities. Family members claimed he had expected to secure more than 650 marks in the exam and believed the score would have helped him gain admission into a reputed government medical college.
His father, Rajesh Kumar Meghwal, stated that Pradeep was the only son in a financially struggling family. He had been living in Sikar alongside his two sisters, both of whom were preparing for railway recruitment examinations.
According to the family, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon. Police said Pradeep’s younger sister had gone for coaching classes, while his elder sister was in the bathroom when the alleged suicide took place.
Police Investigation Underway
Officials said the elder sister discovered Pradeep hanging from the ceiling fan after returning to the room. She immediately informed the landlord, following which police were contacted.
Police personnel reached the location and shifted him to SK Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Authorities have initiated an investigation based on statements recorded from the family and people connected to the case.
Following the incident, relatives and members of the local community gathered outside the mortuary at SK Hospital, demanding a detailed inquiry and expressing grief over the young student’s death.
Sikar Under Focus Amid NEET Paper Leak Probe
The incident has emerged at a time when Rajasthan’s coaching city of Sikar remains at the centre of a widening investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.
According to investigators, a document reportedly described as a “Guess Paper” had allegedly circulated among students in Sikar and nearby Jhunjhunu district before the May 3 examination. Sources linked to the investigation claimed the material contained hundreds of questions, many of which allegedly resembled those that later appeared in the actual examination.
Officials examining the matter reportedly found similarities not only in the questions but also in option sequences, wording style, and punctuation patterns. These findings prompted concerns over possible examination malpractice.
Central Agencies and Rajasthan SOG Intensify Probe
The National Testing Agency acknowledged receiving information regarding suspected irregularities a few days after the examination was conducted. Soon after, teams from Rajasthan’s Special Operations Group reached Sikar and Jhunjhunu to begin preliminary inquiries.
The matter was later transferred to central agencies, while the Rajasthan SOG launched a broader investigation into the alleged leak network. Reports indicate that multiple arrests have already been made from different cities, including Sikar, Jaipur, Gurugram, and Nashik.
Among those arrested are individuals accused of operating a consultancy network allegedly connected to the paper leak operation. Investigators suspect that leaked examination material may have been illegally supplied to candidates in exchange for money.
Questions Raised Over Earlier Admissions
Investigators are also examining admissions secured by several family members of the accused individuals in previous years. Sources involved in the inquiry claim that multiple students connected to the families under investigation had reportedly cleared NEET in 2025 despite average academic records earlier.
The latest developments have widened the scope of the investigation and raised fresh concerns regarding the credibility and security of national-level competitive examinations.
Meanwhile, Pradeep Mahich’s death has renewed debate over academic pressure, mental health support for students, and the impact of examination controversies on aspirants preparing for highly competitive entrance tests across the country.