A Class 10 candidate who arrived late for her school exam was refused entry and later died after jumping from a moving train between Taregna and Masaurhi Court stations. The case, which took place in the Patna region, has raised concerns about strict enforcement of reporting times and the availability of on-the-spot counselling for distressed students.
What happened
- The student, identified as Komal Kumari, travelled to her relatives’ village near Maharajchak to sit the exam and reached her designated centre at 9:15 AM for a 9:30 AM start.
- Centre staff had closed the gates by 9:15 AM and denied her late entry despite her pleas.
- Distressed, she returned home, later boarded a train at Nadaul and jumped between Taregna and Masaurhi Court stations. She was taken to hospital and later died.
Key facts and official details
- The incident was reported to the Masaurhi police and local authorities issued the student’s photograph to identify her family.
- Komal was the eldest of three children; her father works as a labourer outside the state.
- The episode has sparked debate over strict exam timing rules and whether centres should allow minimal grace for late-arriving candidates.
Why this matters for students and schools
The event highlights two urgent issues: the need for clear, humane entry protocols for high-stakes exams, and the importance of mental health support at exam venues. Education authorities and schools should review reporting-time enforcement, crisis response and on-site counselling arrangements immediately. For templates on exam-day protocols and mental health checklists, see press-wire.org.
Immediate steps for parents and candidates
- Aim to arrive at centres at least 45 to 60 minutes early on exam days and keep alternative routes planned.
- Carry admit card and ID, and confirm reporting cutoffs published by the board.
- Schools should publish a clear late-entry policy and a contact number for distressed candidates.
- If a student shows acute distress, contact local emergency services and the National Mental Health Helpline or a trusted counsellor. For Odisha and Bihar specific helplines and printable exam-day checklists, visit press-wire.org now.
