A 23-year-old engineering graduate and gold medalist was found dead in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after reportedly struggling to secure a government job despite around 50 attempts, according to police.
The deceased, identified as Anand, had completed a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Electrical Engineering from a private engineering college in 2024. He earned a gold medal for academic excellence and also secured third position in Uttar Pradesh. The college awarded him the medal during a ceremony held on August 13, 2024.
The tragic incident has drawn attention to the emotional challenges faced by many young graduates as they pursue competitive careers.
Incident occurred while family was away
According to police, Anand was alone at home when the incident took place. His family had travelled to Bihar to make arrangements for his elder brother’s wedding.
The incident came to light after the family’s domestic worker found the house locked from the inside. The worker then alerted neighbours and the police.
Officers entered the house and found Anand dead. During the initial investigation, police also recovered a handwritten five-line note from the room.
Note reflected disappointment over job search
According to investigators, the note read: “Sorry Papa, I tried about 50 times to get a government job, but could not succeed. Forgive me.”
Authorities shifted the body for a postmortem examination. Later, the family held his funeral on Saturday evening.
Police are continuing their investigation to determine all circumstances surrounding the incident.
Family says he had been preparing for competitive exams
Anand’s father, Raj Kumar, said his son completed a one-year apprenticeship with Power Grid after graduating. Following that, he focused on preparing for competitive examinations for government jobs.
According to the family, Anand repeatedly appeared in recruitment examinations conducted by the railways, banks, and the education department. However, he was unable to secure employment despite multiple attempts.
His father said the repeated disappointments had caused significant mental stress over the past several months.
Police continue investigation
Police said preliminary findings suggest the young graduate had been experiencing emotional distress related to his unsuccessful job search. However, officials added that the investigation remains ongoing and all aspects of the case are still being examined.
The incident has renewed discussion about the pressures many young job seekers face while competing for limited government positions. It also highlights the importance of emotional support during periods of prolonged uncertainty and repeated setbacks.
Help is available
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or severe emotional distress, reaching out to a trusted family member, friend, or a qualified mental health professional can make an important difference. Immediate support is available in many countries through local crisis services.
