Abstract
Background Academic stress among students preparing for competitive exams like the Indian Institutes of Technology Joint Entrance Examination (IIT JEE) and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in India has been increasingly associated with mental health challenges, including suicidal ideation. These two groups represent the largest segments of students preparing for highly competitive exams in India, with distinct academic and societal expectations, making their comparison crucial for targeted interventions. Understanding the demographic profiles, methods of suicide, and temporal trends among these students is crucial for targeted intervention and policy formulation. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 80 documented suicide cases among IIT JEE and NEET aspirants. Data were sourced from documented reports, such as police records and newspaper articles, to ensure reliability. Demographic information, including age, gender, and native state, along with exam preparation details and suicide characteristics, such as method used, presence of suicide notes, and number of prior attempts, were collected and analyzed. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, odds ratios (OR), and logistic regression to identify significant associations. Results The majority of suicides (81%; n=64) occurred among students aged 15-20 years, predominantly male (77.2%; n=61), and preparing for NEET (73.4%; n=58). Hanging was the most common method (75.9%; n=60), followed by poisoning (5.1%; n=4) and jumping (3.8%; n=3). Suicide notes were found in 22.8% (n=18) of cases. Students with fewer than one prior suicide attempt were significantly more likely to be from Rajasthan (OR 28.00; p<0.0001), as were cases occurring after 2022 (OR 6.05; p<0.0001). Conclusion This study highlights alarming rates of suicide among IIT JEE and NEET aspirants in India, emphasizing the need for targeted mental health support and intervention strategies. The findings underscore the role of academic pressure and geographic variability in suicide risk among these students. Future research should focus on understanding the underlying causes of geographic differences in suicide rates and explore region-specific interventions. Tailored mental health programs addressing local socio-cultural and educational challenges could play a crucial role in mitigating suicide risks in these vulnerable populations.