Every year, lakhs of aspirants across India went out for a journey to crack one of the toughest yet most rewarding entrance exams—the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE). There is no doubt in the fact that JEE opens doors to prestigious IITs and NITs; it also puts aspirants through a lot of mental pressure. The expectations, unimagined study hours, coaching classes, mock tests, and peer comparisons slowly and gradually take a toll on a student’s mental health. The parents and mentors often overlook the mental pressure and emotional cost of aspirants chasing for top rank. In this blog, we’ll put some light on the growing health crisis among JEE aspirants—the challenges they face silently and some remedies that make their journey more humane.
Join this free JEE Prep Group to Get Free Study Material, Preparation Strategy by Toppers, Latest Updates and More!
Why the JEE is Mentally Draining
Let’s discuss some reasons for the mental health crisis among JEE aspirants.
- The Pressure from Society and Family: JEE is not only an exam; it’s a symbol of family prestige and intelligence. Many students got pressured from their family and many a time society too into preparing for JEE regardless of their interests. The parents, friends, and even teachers load their minds with a lot of expectations, making the fear of failure unbearable.
- Fear of Failure and Self-Worth Tied to JEE Ranks: For many aspirants, a poor test result, a drop in rank, or a bad mock test can result in immense self-doubt and guilt. Many aspirants mental stability gets impacted by the fear of not getting ranks after years of hard work.
- Coaching Culture and the Race to Outperform: The coaching culture, especially in Kota, Hyderabad, and Delhi, promotes a hyper-competitive environment. JEE aspirants study for 10-12 hours a day. Daily tests, rank lists, and comparisons turn the learning stage into a survival contest, which gives them a lot of invisible mental pressure.
- Isolation and Loneliness: To stay focused for the JEE preparation, many students isolate themselves by cutting themselves off from social media, friends, hobbies, and even family time. Over a period of time, this will create a sense of loneliness and hopelessness.
Warning Signs of Mental Health Issues in Aspirants
There are signs that every aspirant starts showing, but often many get unnoticed. Here are some signs mentioned below.
- Constant fatigue, headaches, or insomnia
- Sudden mood swings or irritation
- Low motivation or sense of hopelessness
- Avoidance of studies or extreme perfectionism
- Panic attacks before the exam
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicidal thoughts
Real-Life Cases that Shaken the Nation
Unfortunately, the mental health crisis has turned out to be tragic for many students. Kota, a hub of JEE coaching, has witnessed many suicides over the past years due to academic and societal pressure. As per the reports, over 25 students gave up on their lives in Kota alone in the year 2023, triggering a national concern. Parents and institutions often start paying attention only when the damage is done. These lives really need extra attention; aspirants also understand that putting so much pressure on for just an exam is not justified.
Remedies: What Need to be Changed
As we have gone through various reasons behind the mental crisis of JEE aspirants, let’s give them some remedies so that they can save their study time and life too.
- Open Conversation About Mental Health: Silence only adds to the stigma. Parents, teachers, and students need to normalize talking about stress, burnout, and emotions. The school should regularly hold regular mental health sessions and invite psychologists to have one-on-one conversations with the students.
- Emotional Support from Family: The first and foremost step that every parent should take is to stop comparing your child’s capabilities with others. Every child has unique talents and is different from each other. Parents should show empathy, praise their child’s hard work, and create a non-judgmental space at home where their child can feel safe and protected, regardless of performance.
- Counseling and Mental Health Services in Coaching Institutes: Coaching institutes should include mental health specialists in their staff. As and when any student feels like talking or sharing, the staff can immediately give them confidential counseling services. The mental health checkup should be a routine.
- Focus on Learning, Not Just Ranks: Aspirants should shift their focus from ranks to learning outcomes, which can reduce their anxiety level. Asking questions and enjoying problem-solving should be the goal of every aspirant, not just getting higher ranks than others.
- Creating Peer Support Groups: JEE aspirants can easily share their experiences and difficulties and can cope together with group study sessions, mentorship programs, or even small wellness circles. Knowing that you are not alone can make a huge difference.
- Balanced Study Schedules: Aspirants should maintain a study-life balance with regular breaks, 7-8 hours of sleep, jogging, doing hobbies, and staying connected with family and friends. Aspirants can perform effectively and efficiently if their mind is fresh and positive.
- Educational Influencers Should Act Responsibly: Many YouTube channels and social media influencers promote long study hours and toxic productivity. These platforms should promote healthy preparation habits and encourage students to seek help as and when needed.
Aspirants Speak: What They Wish Others Knew
A JEE dropper preparing for his second attempt—“Everyone talks about AIRs, but no one talks about the anxiety I have gone through every time I open my book.”
A JEE 2024 qualifier—“I didn’t enjoy my two years. I scored in the 99.5th percentile, but I lost my peace of mind, my sleep, and my confidence. I don’t want my younger brother to go through the same mental harassment.”
The JEE exam is tough, but your mental health matters more than any IIT or NIT seat. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember: it’s okay to break, it’s okay if you need help—ask for it, and it’s okay if things didn’t fall out right. You are not alone. Whether you crack JEE or not, keep in mind that you are worthy, intelligent, and capable of doing great things in life. But first, take your mental health as your priority. All the best.
Click Here to Enroll to JEE 2026 Course!
FAQs on Mental Health During JEE Preparation
Yes, it is very natural to feel stressed while preparing for the JEE exam. If the stress turns into anxiety or hopelessness, it’s important to seek support.
Parents can become the support pillar of a JEE aspirant by not judging them, being emotionally available, and not forcing any unrealistic expectations on them.
You should take a break and talk to someone who can listen to you and give you a worthy piece of advice. Adjust your study schedule to include time for rest.
Absolutely yes, a healthy mind performs better. Your balanced preparation will improve your focus and problem-solving abilities.
