Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jan 19: An investigation conducted by the Goa Police into a series of student deaths at the BITS Pilani, Goa campus has found that academic stress during examination periods was a major factor behind four of the five suicides reported over the last three years. In the fifth case, the student was reportedly battling depression following the suicide of his girlfriend.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday shared details of the police inquiry, stating that five cases of unnatural deaths involving BITS Pilani students were registered at the Verna police station between 2023 and 2025. All five incidents occurred during examination periods and are currently under inquiry.

“During the last three years, five students of the BITS Pilani Goa campus died by suicide. All cases coincided with exam schedules, indicating high levels of academic stress,” Sawant said. He added that the investigation revealed exam-related anxiety as the primary trigger in four cases.

To better understand the circumstances leading to the deaths, a video interaction was organised with the parents of the deceased students. The meeting was held under the supervision of the chairperson of the district-level monitoring committee for South Goa, and was attended by officials from the directorate of higher education, the directorate of health services, and the South Goa deputy superintendent of police.

Sawant, who also holds the education portfolio, said the interaction was aimed at gaining deeper insights into the mental health challenges faced by students and identifying possible preventive measures.

As part of follow-up action, the directorate of health services organised a one-day health camp at the BITS Pilani Goa campus. The initiative focused on physical and mental health screening for students, faculty and staff, and also introduced students to TeleMANAS, the government’s mental health support helpline.

The chief minister further said that the state has already formulated a uniform mental health policy for higher education institutions in Goa. The policy has been circulated to all institutes registered under the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), including BITS Pilani Goa, with instructions to make it publicly available on institutional websites and notice boards.

Sawant also disclosed that, apart from the BITS Pilani cases, two other student suicides were reported in the state. In one instance, a student became severely disturbed after appearing for his Class XII examinations. In the second case, the student was reportedly suffering from depression after scoring low marks in mathematics.

The government, Sawant said, is focusing on strengthening mental health support systems in educational institutions to prevent such tragedies in the future.