A recent report reveals that student suicides in India are increasing at an alarming rate, surpassing both population growth and overall suicide trends. The report, titled “Student Suicides: An Epidemic Sweeping India,” was launched at the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024, highlighting a deepening crisis.

Based on data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the report shows that student suicides have been rising by 4% annually, double the national average for overall suicides, which increased by 2% each year. This surge is especially concerning given the likely underreporting of student suicides.

“Over the past two decades, student suicides have grown at an alarming annual rate of 4%, double the national average. In 2022, male students constituted 53% of the total student suicides,” the report noted. Between 2021 and 2022, male student suicides decreased by 6%, while female student suicides increased by 7%.

Compiled by the IC3 Institute, a volunteer-based organization that supports high schools worldwide with career and college counseling resources, the report emphasized the troubling trend. Even as the population of 0-24-year-olds slightly decreased from 582 million to 581 million over the last decade, the number of student suicides nearly doubled, rising from 6,654 to 13,044.

The report identifies Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh as the states with the highest number of student suicides, together accounting for one-third of the national total. Southern states and union territories contribute 29% of these cases, while Rajasthan, known for its high-pressure academic environment, ranks 10th, underlining the intense stress in coaching hubs like Kota.

“The NCRB data is based on police-recorded first information reports (FIRs). However, the actual number of student suicides is likely underreported due to factors such as social stigma and the criminalization of attempted and assisted suicide under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code,” the report highlighted. It also pointed out that despite the 2017 Mental Healthcare Act decriminalizing suicide attempts for those with mental illness, the legacy of criminalization continues to affect reporting practices.

The report further noted significant data discrepancies due to the lack of a robust data collection system, particularly in rural areas, where reporting is less consistent compared to urban regions.

Ganesh Kohli, Founder of the IC3 Movement, stressed the urgent need to address mental health issues within educational institutions. “Our educational focus must shift to fostering the competencies of our learners in a way that supports their overall well-being, rather than pushing them to compete against each other. It is imperative that we build a systematic, comprehensive, and robust career and college counseling system within each institution while seamlessly integrating it into the learning curriculum,” he said.

Additionally, the report observed a significant increase in student suicides over the past decade, with male suicides rising by 50% and female suicides by 61%. “Both genders have seen an average annual increase of 5% in the last five years. These alarming statistics underscore the critical need for enhanced counseling infrastructure and a deeper understanding of student aspirations,” the report concluded. Addressing these gaps is essential for shifting the focus from competitive pressures to nurturing core competencies and well-being, thereby better supporting students and preventing such tragedies.