Impact of Competitive Examination Culture on Student Mental Health in India: A Descriptive Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64880/ijeagr.v1i2.01Keywords:
Competitive examinations, mental health, student stress, anxiety, coaching culture, suicide, IndiaAbstract
Competitive examination culture in India has become a dominant feature of the education system, especially for high-stakes entrance examinations such as NEET, JEE, UPSC, and CUET. While these examinations aim to ensure merit-based selection, they have also generated intense academic pressure among students. The present descriptive study examines the impact of competitive examination culture on student mental health using secondary data from recent research (2016–2026), government reports, and peer-reviewed studies.
Findings indicate a high prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, and suicidal ideation among students preparing for competitive examinations (Biswas & Maji, 2026; Kar et al., 2021). Major contributing factors include academic workload, parental expectations, coaching pressure, and fear of failure (WHO, 2023). The study integrates descriptive statistics, tables, graphical representations, and a conceptual statistical model to explain mental health outcomes.
The study concludes that while competitive examinations promote meritocracy, the associated psychological burden necessitates urgent reforms in educational practices and mental health support systems.
