A new report highlights a concerning rise in student suicides in India, with incidents growing at a rate that exceeds both the national population growth and overall suicide trends.

The report, titled "Student Suicides: An Epidemic Sweeping India," was unveiled on Wednesday at the Annual IC3 Conference and Expo 2024.

According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), while overall suicides have increased by 2 percent annually, student suicides have surged by 4 percent annually. This rate is double the national average and suggests that the true number of student suicides may be even higher due to underreporting.

The report reveals that in 2022, male students accounted for 53 percent of the total student suicides. Although male student suicides decreased by 6 percent between 2021 and 2022, female student suicides rose by 7 percent.

Over the past decade, student suicides increased dramatically from 6,654 in 2012 to 13,044 in 2022, despite a slight decrease in the population of 0-24-year-olds.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh are identified as the states with the highest number of student suicides, collectively representing one-third of the national total. Southern states and union territories account for 29 percent of these cases. Rajasthan, particularly noted for its high-pressure academic environment, ranks 10th, reflecting the intense pressure associated with coaching hubs like Kota.

The report, compiled by the IC3 Institute, emphasizes the ongoing issue of underreporting due to social stigma and the criminalization of attempted suicides under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, despite the 2017 Mental Healthcare Act which decriminalizes such attempts for individuals with mental illness.

Ganesh Kohli, Founder of the IC3 Movement, stressed the urgent need for improved mental health support within educational institutions. He advocates for a shift from competitive pressures to fostering student well-being and competency through robust career and college counseling systems.

The report also notes a significant increase in student suicides over the past decade, with male suicides rising by 50 percent and female suicides by 61 percent. Both genders have experienced an average annual increase of 5 percent in the last five years, underscoring the need for enhanced counseling infrastructure and a better understanding of student needs.