NEET Aspirant's Suicide in Tamil Nadu Renews Criticism of Exam and DMK Government

The death of 21-year-old Devadharshini highlights mounting exam stress and political backlash over unfulfilled promises to exempt the state from NEET.

Devadharshini, a 21-year-old NEET aspirant from Kilambakkam, died by suicide after expressing stress over repeated exam failures.
This marks the latest in a series of at least 20 NEET-related suicides in Tamil Nadu over the past eight years.
The Tamil Nadu government has consistently opposed NEET, citing its adverse impact on economically disadvantaged and Tamil-medium students.
Opposition parties, particularly the AIADMK, have criticized the ruling DMK for failing to deliver on its promise to exempt the state from NEET.
The tragedy has reignited debates on systemic inequities in India's education system and the need for stronger mental health support for students.