A 23-year-old electrical engineering gold medalist from Kanpur tragically died by suicide on Saturday after repeated failures to secure a government job. Anand, who topped his B.Tech program in 2024, left behind a handwritten note expressing his despair over approximately 50 unsuccessful attempts at competitive examinations.
The incident occurred at the family's home in the Gujaini area of Govind Nagar. Anand's family was reportedly away in Bihar for his elder brother's wedding arrangements when the domestic help discovered the unresponsive youth. Police, alerted after knocks went unanswered, broke open the door to find Anand.
A Gold Medalist's Struggle
Anand had a distinguished academic record, topping the B.Tech Electrical Engineering program at PSIT, a private engineering college, and securing the third rank across Uttar Pradesh. He was awarded a gold medal at a college function in August 2024, a testament to his hard work and academic prowess.
However, this academic success did not translate into an immediate career in the public sector. After graduating, Anand completed a one-year apprenticeship with Power Grid before dedicating himself fully to preparing for highly competitive government examinations.
Intense Pressure for Government Jobs
Anand's father, Rajkumar, a retired employee, shared his son's ordeal, stating, "He appeared for recruitment examinations conducted by the Railways, SSC, banks and the education department, but could not succeed. He had been under severe stress for the past several months." These examinations are notoriously challenging, drawing millions of applicants for a limited number of coveted positions across India.
The station house officer of Govind Nagar police station, Ashok Kumar Dubey, confirmed the recovery of the suicide note. "Preliminary investigation suggests he was under stress over not being able to secure a government job. However, all aspects of the case are being examined," Dubey stated.
The incident has once again brought into focus the immense pressure and stress faced by young graduates in India striving for stable government employment, often enduring years of gruelling preparation and repeated setbacks.