‘What was my fault?’: How India’s exam paper leak ended young lives
An investigation by the BBC has documented how the leak of India's National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) medical exam paper this year led to a wave of student suicides after nearly two million candidates were forced to retake the test. Among those who died was 17-year-old Kahaan Patel from Ahmedabad, who took his own life three days before his rescheduled exam; his death was one of at least 21 linked to the fallout from the scandal, which triggered mass protests in Delhi and the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Kahaan had set his sights on becoming a doctor, prompting his family to relocate from Surat to Ahmedabad so he could attend a better school. After sitting the original exam on 3 May, he told his father he felt confident and relieved, only for news of the paper leak to emerge shortly afterwards, throwing preparations into turmoil. His story became emblematic of a broader youth-led uprising, led by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party, demanding accountability from India's exam authorities over repeated testing failures.
In short
- NEET exam paper leak forced two million students to retake the test.
- At least 21 students died by suicide amid the fallout.
- Protests followed, leading to the education minister's resignation.
Explained simply
NEET is India’s national entrance exam for students seeking places on medical courses. Nearly two million people take it, and a score can shape whether and where a student studies medicine.
The exam is run by India’s National Testing Agency, while the education ministry oversees national education policy. Concerns about leaked papers and other exam problems have led to protests and calls for the system to be held accountable.
For many students, preparing for NEET takes years and can involve major sacrifices by their families. The pressure helps explain why disruption to the exam can have serious effects on young people and their families.