The number of student suicides in India reached a record high of 14,488 in 2024, a 4.3% increase from 13,892 cases in 2023, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.
While overall suicides in India declined marginally by 0.4% in 2024, student suicides rose at a sharper pace, increasing 15.7% in five years and 62.2% over the past decade.
Experts attribute the rise in student suicides to academic pressure, untreated psychological distress, and weak support systems, calling for stronger counselling systems, early intervention, and awareness of government helplines.
Dr. Om Prakash, a professor of psychiatry, emphasized the need for early identification, stigma-free counselling, and stronger mental health support systems in educational institutions.
Ganesh Kohli, founder of the International Career and College Counseling (IC3) Movement, stressed the importance of integrating mental health awareness into mainstream education and sensitizing teachers and parents to recognize early signs of distress.
The highest proportion of student suicides was reported in Maharashtra (13.2%), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10.9%), Madhya Pradesh (10%), and Tamil Nadu (8.9%).
