NEET aspirant Sana Shaik dies by suicide; family alleges exam stress worsened mental distress
HYDERABAD : The death of 19-year-old NEET aspirant Sana Shaik has renewed concerns over the mental health burden faced by students preparing for competitive examinations.
Sana, a resident of Miyapur in Hyderabad, died by suicide at her residence on June 20, 2026. A case has been registered at Miyapur police station under FIR No. 935/2026. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.
According to family members, Sana had been preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) since 2025. She had secured 980 marks in the Intermediate MBiPC stream and aspired to pursue a medical career.
At the time of the incident, Sana was at home with her younger sisters while her mother, Habeeba Unnisa, had travelled to the family’s native place, Proddatur in YSR Kadapa district, to attend a relative’s funeral. Her father, Shaik Jaffer Hussain, works in Kuwait.
Family members said Sana had breakfast with her sisters before going to her room to study. When her father later called from Kuwait and asked to speak to her, one of her sisters found the bedroom locked. After forcing the door open, they found Sana hanging. Neighbours alerted emergency services, but medical personnel declared her dead.
Because her father was returning from Kuwait and other relatives were away, neighbours and relatives helped the family complete the immediate formalities, including those at Gandhi Hospital.
Suicide note recovered
According to the family, police recovered a handwritten suicide note from Sana’s clothing during the inquest. The note, written in Roman Hindi and English, reportedly expressed anxiety over examinations, fear of failure and pressure to meet expectations.
The contents of the note have become part of the police investigation. Authorities have not officially concluded whether examination-related stress was the sole reason behind the suicide.
Family raises concerns
During a visit to Proddatur, a collective of students, activists and journalists met Sana’s family and released a report highlighting their interactions with relatives.
Family members alleged that the uncertainty surrounding NEET, including reports of paper leaks and re-examinations, had intensified Sana’s mental stress. They also criticised what they described as inadequate safeguards in the examination system and called for accountability from authorities.
The report further alleged that some television channels broadcast Sana’s photograph without adequately protecting her identity, while appreciating media organisations that blurred her image.
Sana’s mother questioned criticism directed at her for being away from home during the incident, saying attention should instead focus on the broader issues affecting students preparing for competitive examinations.
Relatives appealed for measures to prevent similar tragedies and urged governments and examination authorities to strengthen safeguards for students and ensure the integrity of national entrance examinations.
The collective that prepared the report called for institutional reforms and urged political parties and governments to address examination security and student mental health. Their appeal included the campaign slogan #JusticeForSanaShaik.
Police said the investigation is continuing.
