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NCRB: 14,488 student suicides in 2024; rise outpaces overall suicides and reflects ongoing mental health crisis
The NCRB data released on May 6, 2026 shows 14,488 student suicides in 2024, up 4.3% from 2023, with student suicides rising faster than overall suicides. The report also provides year-by-year baselines and breakdowns by gender, state, education level, and causes, highlighting a sustained mental health challenge in Indian education systems.
Why It Matters
The figures underscore a growing mental health crisis among students and the need for stronger counselling, early intervention, and accessible support systems to address academic pressure and distress.
Timeline
9 Events
May 6, 2026: Expert reactions on rising student suicides
May 6, 2026
Experts call for stronger mental health support in educational institutions, early identification of distress, stigma-free counselling, and greater awareness of government helplines and access to mental health services.
May 6, 2026: Leading reported causes of student suicides in 2024
May 6, 2026
Leading causes in 2024 included family problems (33.5%), illness (17.9%), drug or alcohol addiction (7.6%), unemployment (1.5%), and failure in examinations (1.2%).
May 6, 2026: Education level distribution among 2024 student suicides
May 6, 2026
Education levels among 2024 student suicides: up to Class 10 (secondary) 25.6%, Class 8 (middle) 17.7%, Class 12 (higher secondary) 18.3%, Class 5 (primary) 14.4%, illiterate 10.1%, graduates or higher 5.6%.
May 6, 2026: State distribution of 2024 student suicides
May 6, 2026
Maharashtra accounted for 13.2% of student suicides in 2024, followed by Uttar Pradesh (10.9%), Madhya Pradesh (10%), and Tamil Nadu (8.9%).
May 6, 2026: Gender breakdown in 2024 suicides
May 6, 2026
Of the 14,488 student deaths in 2024, 7,669 were male and 6,819 were female.
May 6, 2026: NCRB releases 2024 data showing 14,488 student suicides
May 6, 2026
NCRB data released on a Wednesday (May 6, 2026) shows 14,488 student suicides in 2024, a 4.3% rise from 2023 (13,892). Student suicides comprised 8.5% of total suicides (170,746). The five-year rise was 15.7% from 12,526 in 2020, and the ten-year rise was 62.2% from 8,934 in 2015.
2023 data: 13,892 student suicides and 8.1% share of total suicides
2023
In 2023, student suicides reached 13,892, accounting for 8.1% of 171,418 total suicides.
2020 baseline: 12,526 student suicides and 8.2% share of total suicides
2020
By 2020, student suicides were 12,526, comprising 8.2% of 153,052 total suicides, marking a significant rise from 2015.
2015 baseline: 8,934 student suicides and 6.7% share of total suicides
2015
NCRB data shows 8,934 student suicides in 2015, accounting for 6.7% of 133,623 total suicides that year. This baseline is used to measure subsequent decade-long changes.