Madhya Pradesh Records 1,308 Student Suicides in 2021, Second Highest in India

Madhya Pradesh reported 1,308 student suicides in 2021, making it the second-highest state in India for such deaths, according to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Only Maharashtra, with 1,834 cases, recorded a higher toll.

Across India, 13,089 students died by suicide in 2021, a sharp 4.5% increase from 12,526 cases in 2020. This translates to more than 35 student suicides every day. Student suicides accounted for 7.6% of the total 1,64,033 suicides reported in India that year.

While states like Maharashtra (1,834), Madhya Pradesh (1,308), Tamil Nadu (1,246), Karnataka (925), and Odisha (854) led the figures, together these five states contributed to nearly 45% of all student suicides nationwide
In Madhya Pradesh, the 1,308 deaths mark a concerning rise over previous years. Bhopal, Indore, and Gwalior reported the highest numbers within the state, often concentrated around districts with dense clusters of coaching institutes and universities.

Mental health experts point to the pressure of competitive exams, lack of adequate counselling infrastructure, and the social stigma around seeking psychological help as key drivers. “The aspirational mismatch is stark—thousands compete for limited seats in medicine, engineering, and government jobs. When failure is treated as the end of the road, it drives despair,” said a senior psychiatrist at AIIMS Bhopal.

NCRB data shows that male students accounted for nearly 55% of student suicides in India, though female students form a significant 45% share—a much higher proportion than in other categories of suicide. The majority of cases involved students in the 15–29 age group, underlining the vulnerability of adolescents and young adults.

Despite repeated calls from educationists and mental health professionals, Madhya Pradesh has yet to implement a state-level student mental health policy. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommends strengthening psychological support in schools and higher education institutions, but implementation has been slow.

Some interventions have shown promise. Rajasthan, which has also witnessed high student suicide rates in Kota, has recently set up mandatory counselling cells in coaching hubs. In Madhya Pradesh, however, such initiatives remain fragmented and underfunded

Experts stress the need for integrated mental health services across schools, colleges, and coaching centres, alongside campaigns to destigmatise seeking help. They also point to the urgency of reducing the extreme academic pressure linked to high-stakes entrance exams.

As India grapples with the challenge of student well-being, Madhya Pradesh’s grim tally of 1,308 suicides in a single year serves as a stark reminder: without systemic change, the ambition of nurturing future generations risks being overshadowed by preventable loss.