A 17-year-old student who scored 95.7 per cent in his Class 12 science examinations has died by suicide in Thane after reportedly becoming distressed over not securing admission to his preferred higher education institute. Police said the family has not alleged foul play.
A strong score, but a painful setback
The teenager had hoped to pursue a BS-MS dual degree at the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, in Kolkata. However, he reportedly missed out on a seat after securing a rank of 10,474 in the institute’s aptitude test.
According to police, the admission setback deeply affected him despite his strong Class 12 performance.
Family alerted police after message
The student left his home on September 4 evening, telling his family that he was going cycling. Later, he sent a message to the family WhatsApp group indicating that he intended to take his own life.
After seeing the message and finding his phone switched off, his family alerted the Kasarvadavali police. Police and family members searched the area before finding him critically injured near his residential complex. He was taken to Thane Civil Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
An accidental death report has been registered based on his father’s statement. Police said the family suspects no foul play and attributed the tragedy to academic distress.
A reminder beyond marks and admissions
The tragedy has again highlighted the intense emotional pressure young people can experience around examinations, rankings and college admissions.
Academic achievement can open opportunities, but a single admission outcome cannot define a young person’s worth or future. Families, schools and institutions have an important role in recognising distress early and ensuring that students have access to emotional support when setbacks become overwhelming