‘Betrayal’: Young victims of India’s exam leak scandal

The immense pressure on India's youth has been tragically highlighted by the death of Rema Begum, a 20-year-old who aspired to become a doctor. Her dream was shattered when the medical entrance examination she believed she had aced was found to be compromised by a paper leak, leading to a mandatory retest.

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After the exam, she was absolutely confident that she would clear it

Begum was among at least 20 students who reportedly died by suicide in the aftermath of the scandal. This devastating outcome has ignited widespread protests across India, with students and activists voicing anger over an education system they perceive as fundamentally unfair. The exam leak is one of several irregularities that have fueled public outcry.

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But after a retest was announced because the paper had leaked, she became a different person and withdrew into a shell

Begum's father, Rajaul Islam, a fish trader from Assam, described his daughter as a "gem" and struggled to comprehend her loss of hope. He recounted that after the initial exam, she was confident of success. However, the announcement of a retest following the leak transformed her, causing her to withdraw into herself. "Nothing the family said could reassure her," he told AFP.

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Nothing the family said could reassure her

Islam had invested heavily in his daughter's future, spending significant amounts on coaching classes for two years. "I had spent a lot of money on her studies, so she was worried it would all go to waste," he said. Days before the new exam date, Begum was found dead. Her death underscores the intense competition for limited seats in government medical colleges, which represent a pathway to economic security for millions of young Indians facing a challenging job market.

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I had spent a lot of money on her studies, so she was worried it would all go to waste