Distressed by results: Seven Telangana intermediate students found dead in apparent suicides

In a tragic turn of events, seven intermediate students in Telangana reportedly took their own lives within the span of 48 hours following the announcement of the first-year and second-year exam results by the Telangana State Board of Intermediate Examinations (TSBIE) on April 24.

Suicides in Mahabubabad and Hyderabad

Mahabubabad Superintendent of Police (SP) confirmed that two girls, distressed by their failure in the examinations, resorted to suicide. One of the students hanged herself at her residence in a village within the district, while the other took her life by jumping into a well.

Similarly, a first-year student in Sultanbazar police station limits ended his life after learning of his exam results, as reported by Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Zone) R Giridhar.

Further tragedies were reported in Hyderabad, where a young boy from Nallakunta was found dead near a railway track in Jadcherla. Police suspect that the stress of his poor performance in the exams may have contributed to his decision to take his life.

Telangana Exam Results and Passing Criteria

The Telangana State Inter 1st year exams were held from February 28 to March 18, while the TS Inter 2nd year exams took place from February 29 to March 19. To pass the TS Inter exams in 2024, students are required to achieve a minimum of 35% marks in each subject individually, with an overall cumulative score of 350 out of 1000 marks.

However, the passing threshold is lowered to 25% for students with visual, auditory, or speech impairments, recognising the additional challenges they face in academic assessments. These tragic incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for comprehensive support systems and mental health resources for students navigating academic pressures.