Overview
- India recorded 13,892 student suicides in 2023, representing 8.1% of all suicide deaths and marking a renewed rise after a slight dip reported in 2022.
- Student suicides have grown far faster than overall suicides over the past decade, roughly 65% versus 27%, with total suicides at about 1.71 lakh and a national rate of 12.3 per lakh population.
- Maharashtra reported the highest student suicide toll at 2,046, followed by Madhya Pradesh (1,459), Uttar Pradesh (1,373) and Tamil Nadu (1,339).
- Psychologists cite academic pressure, exam failure, familial and financial stress, emotional isolation and poor access to counselling as key drivers, with persistent concerns about under-reporting despite legal reforms.
- Counsellors and child-health experts urge integrated services in schools, teacher training to spot distress, 24/7 helplines, early-intervention systems and enforcement of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, noting low awareness and help-seeking among youth.