Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas have seen 40 student suicides in 5 years, show education ministry data

Three months into the year and three students have already died by suicide at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV). Over the last five years 37 students have taken their own lives in these central, residential schools, the education ministry told parliament on Monday.

Fact-finding committees which looked into these cases attributed the suicides five major reasons: family-related issues; examination and academic pressures; “high levels of ambition” or parents’ expectations; adolescent behavioural concerns and mental health-related issues.

The details were shared by the minister of state for education, Jayant Chaudhary in response to a question raised by Congress MP from Kerala, Kodikunnil Suresh.

JNV suicides over 2021-26

The Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti which is responsible for running these schools provided the following data.

There was an average of one suicide death per month in 2024.

Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand report most case

Of the total 40, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh had five each.

The suicide cases were reported from different districts of these states and not from the same schools.

So far, the scheme has covered 666 districts of the country and a total of 689 NVs have been sanctioned.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.