Tragic End to Kota-Like Stress in Patna: 17-Year-Old JEE Aspirant Dies by Suicide in Hostel
Patna, April 22, 2026 — In a tragic incident highlighting the immense pressure faced by competitive exam candidates, a 17-year-old engineering aspirant died by suicide in his hostel room in Patna. The teenager, deeply frustrated by his inability to grasp the rigorous syllabus despite intense studying, took the extreme step on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Saurabh Kumar, a resident of Beldari Bigha village in the Gaya district. He was the son of Mahesh Yadav and was staying in the state capital to prepare for the highly competitive Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
The Incident at Salimpur Aahar Hostel
Saurabh was residing in a rented accommodation in the Salimpur Aahar locality, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Gandhi Maidan police station. He shared the accommodation with his two cousins. To facilitate a better learning environment, the three boys had rented two separate rooms—one dedicated entirely to studying and the other for sleeping.
According to the local police, the tragedy came to light on Tuesday evening. When Saurabh’s cousins returned to the hostel after attending their coaching classes, they found him completely unresponsive. Upon peering into the room, they made the horrific discovery of Saurabh hanging from a noose. Panic-stricken, they immediately alerted the authorities.
A Heart-Wrenching Suicide Note
Gandhi Maidan Station House Officer (SHO) Akhilesh Mishra confirmed that Saurabh had skipped his coaching classes on the day of the incident. The police control room received the distress call around 8:26 PM.
During the investigation of the room, police recovered a deeply emotional, handwritten suicide note addressed to his parents, revealing the immense academic stress he was under.
The letter read: “Mom and dad, please forgive me. Even after studying day and night, I could not understand. I was very upset by this. You two will have no support in your old age. What could I do? I was also troubled. My last wish is that you sell your land and get my sister married into a good family. Please forgive me if possible. I have committed suicide. Yours truly, Saurabh.”
Police Investigation Underway
The police have taken custody of the body and sent it for a postmortem examination. Initial investigations confirm that the overwhelming pressure to succeed in the JEE, combined with his frustration over not understanding the coursework, drove the young student into a severe depression.
Authorities have informed Saurabh’s grieving family in Gaya, and further legal proceedings are currently underway.
If you or someone you know is struggling with severe exam stress, depression, or suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help. You are not alone. Contact a mental health professional or dial a suicide prevention helpline immediately. In India, you can call the Aasra helpline at 9820466726 or the national toll-free helpline Kiran at 1800-599-0019.
