Kanpur Mourns Loss of District Topper in Pre-Board Tragedy

New Delhi, December 02, 2025: Kanpur is reeling from the tragic news of the death by suicide of a 17-year-old student who was the district topper in his Class 10 board examinations. The student, identified as Raunak Pathak, ended his life on Monday, just hours before he was scheduled to appear for his Class 12 Physics pre-board exam.

The incident has sent a wave of shock and grief through his family, his school, and the wider community, once again highlighting the immense academic pressure faced by students, particularly those with a track record of high achievement.

A Bright Future Cut Short

Raunak, a resident of Saket Nagar and a student at Brij Kishori Devi Memorial Inter College, was known for his exceptional academic record. He had achieved an impressive 97.4 per cent in his 2023 Class 10 board exams, a performance that not only made him the district topper but also earned him a complete fee waiver at his coaching institute. His success marked him as a student with a highly promising future.

According to his father, Alok Pathak, Raunak left home on his motorcycle around 6:30 am on Monday but did not return. When his family’s repeated calls went unanswered, a frantic search began. A few hours later, his motorcycle was found near the Juhi railway yard, and his body was tragically discovered beside the tracks.

Investigation Underway

The sudden and unexpected nature of Raunak’s death has left his family devastated and searching for answers. His father expressed his grief, stating that he “never imagined my only son would take such an extreme step. He was so bright.” Raunak is survived by his mother, Lalita, and sister, Mini.

The Government Railway Police (GRP) has launched a probe into the incident. GRP Inspector Om Narayan Singh confirmed that the body has been sent for a post-mortem examination. As of the latest update, the reason behind the suicide remains unclear. Authorities are currently examining Raunak’s mobile phone and questioning his friends to try and understand the circumstances that led to the tragedy. Some reports suggest that the student may have been under mental stress due to the upcoming pre-board examination.

This heart-wrenching loss is a stark reminder of the often-unseen struggles and mental health challenges faced by young, high-achieving students as they navigate the pressure of competitive academic enviro

Shutterstock

The Conversation on Student Pressure

The tragedy has reignited the critical conversation about the escalating exam pressure in India’s education system. While academic excellence is celebrated, the burden of maintaining a topper status and securing a future in competitive fields can become overwhelming. Experts and educators often stress the need for parents and schools to recognize the signs of stress and anxiety in students and provide robust counseling and support systems to help them cope with academic demands.

The community is urging for a deeper look into the systemic issues of academic pressure to prevent such promising lives from being lost in the future.