A heartbreaking incident has shaken Pune’s Daund taluka, where a 17-year-old girl, Harshada Baban Pawar, died by suicide after being disappointed with her Class 12 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam results. The tragedy unfolded at her home in Sonawane Mala near Rahu village on Sunday afternoon, shortly after the Maharashtra HSC results were declared on May 5, 2025.
Harshada, once a bright and ambitious student who scored 87% in her Class 10 exams, was reportedly devastated to see her Class 12 marks drop to 55%. Her parents, daily wage laborers, were away at work, and her grandparents were visiting relatives, leaving Harshada and her younger brother at home. After checking her results, she allegedly took the extreme step while her brother was outside. Her father returned home, found the door locked, and upon breaking in, discovered Harshada unresponsive. She was rushed to a private hospital in Rahu, where she was declared dead on arrival.
This is not an isolated incident. Multiple cases across Pune and Maharashtra have emerged where students have taken drastic steps due to academic disappointment. Just this week, two boys in Jalgaon and an 18-year-old in Dapodi, Pune, ended their lives after receiving lower-than-expected marks in the HSC exam. In February, a Class 12 student in Pune attempted suicide after finding the English exam paper difficult, citing lack of preparation and exam stress. Such tragedies point to a growing crisis of mental health among students, exacerbated by the immense pressure to perform academically. In many cases, students who were previously high achievers struggle to cope with setbacks, feeling isolated or fearing they have let their families down.
Harshada’s parents, like many in rural Maharashtra, work long hours and may not always be able to provide emotional support during crucial times. In her case, both parents and grandparents were away when she checked her results, leaving her alone with her distress. The incident highlights the need for families, schools, and communities to be more vigilant and supportive, especially during exam result periods.
Mental Health Awareness: Schools and colleges must prioritize mental health education, providing counseling and helplines for students.
Open Communication: Parents and teachers should foster environments where students feel safe discussing their fears and failures.
De-stigmatizing Failure: Society must move away from equating academic results with self-worth, encouraging students to see setbacks as part of growth.
Timely Intervention: Training for educators and parents to recognize warning signs and intervene early can save lives.
If you or someone you know is struggling with exam stress or mental health issues, help is available. NGOs like Connecting and government helplines offer confidential support and counseling.
