The Supreme Court’s tough question, “Why are students committing suicide?” prompts IIT Kharagpur to appoint a full-time psychiatrist amid rising concerns over campus mental health and student suicides.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: IIT Kharagpur, one of India’s premier engineering institutions, has announced its decision to appoint a full-time psychiatrist. This move comes immediately after the Supreme Court of India raised serious concerns about the increasing number of student suicides on top-tier campuses, with IIT Kharagpur named explicitly during a recent hearing.
On Monday, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan posed tough questions to the institute:
“What is wrong with your IIT Kharagpur? Why are students committing suicide? Have you given a thought to this problem? What steps have you taken?”
The court also demanded speedy investigations into suicide cases not only at IIT Kharagpur but also at Sharda University, Greater Noida, bringing nationwide attention to a crisis that has long been brewing behind closed hostel doors.
In a public statement, IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty acknowledged the limitations of the current mental health framework on campus. Previously, the institute relied on a 24/7 counselling system, but the counselling duties were often taken up by part-time counsellors, including faculty and non-specialist volunteers.
Recognizing the gaps in such an approach, Chakraborty announced that a full-time psychiatrist will be appointed in the coming days. This marks a significant shift towards providing continuous, professional, and specialized mental health care on campus.
Mental health support will not stop at the psychiatrist’s office. IIT Kharagpur is also planning:
- A motivational lecture series to help students manage stress and academic pressure.
- Stronger parent-institute communication, with updates every alternate month.
- Awareness campaigns for families, asking them not to burden students with unrealistic expectations, especially related to internships or academic performance.
In a poignant message to parents during the latest induction programme, Chakraborty urged:
“Let the students breathe. Don’t burden them with expectations. The campus has its own structured plans, including internships.”
The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated. Since January 12 of this year, four BTech students have died by suicide in their hostel rooms at IIT Kharagpur. A fact-finding committee was formed earlier this year to delve into the causes and propose preventive mechanisms.
Status of the Investigation
The Supreme Court was informed that FIRs have been filed in both the IIT Kharagpur and Sharda University student suicide cases. In the IIT Kharagpur incident, the administration promptly lodged a police complaint within 30 minutes of the incident, and the investigation is currently underway. In the Sharda University case, the FIR was registered by the victim’s father, and a probe is ongoing.
Acknowledging the ongoing investigations, the Bench refrained from making detailed comments and allowed the legal process to continue.
The Court was also alerted to another troubling case, a student suicide at IIT Delhi on June 4, for which no FIR has been filed. The Court directed the Amicus Curiae to look into the matter, underscoring that such tragedies are not limited to a single institution.
The case has been listed for further hearing in four weeks, with instructions to the authorities to provide detailed reports and outline concrete measures being taken.
Click Here to Read More Reports On Student Suicides
Click Here to Read More Reports On IIT Kharagpur
