Apart from setting up the NTF, the Supreme Court also ordered the Delhi Police to file an FIR based on complaints from the families of two IIT-Delhi students who died by suicide in 2023.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has set up a National Task Force (NTF) to find ways to improve mental health support for students in higher education institutions. This special committee has now started working and will also take public opinions while preparing its report.
The decision to create the NTF was taken after the Supreme Court noted the increasing number of student suicides in higher educational institutions. In an important judgment on March 24, 2025, a bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala decided to form the Task Force to find solutions to mental health issues faced by students and prevent more such tragedies.
Apart from setting up the NTF, the Supreme Court also ordered the Delhi Police to file an FIR based on complaints from the families of two IIT-Delhi students who died by suicide in 2023.
The NTF is headed by Justice S Ravindra Bhat, a former Supreme Court judge. It also includes well-known experts from different fields.
The team members are:
- Dr. Alok Sarin (Mental Health Expert)
- Prof. Mary E. John (Gender and Education Specialist)
- Arman Ali (Disability Rights Activist)
- Prof. Rajendra Kachroo (Anti-Ragging Campaigner)
- Dr. Aqsa Shaikh (Public Health Expert)
- Dr. Seema Mehrotra (Psychologist)
- Prof. Virginius Xaxa (Social Scientist)
- Dr. Nidhi Sabharwal (Education Policy Expert)
- Ms. Aparna Bhat (Legal Expert)
In addition, official representatives from important government departments, such as the Department of Higher Education and the Ministry of Women and Child Development, are also part of the Task Force as ex-officio members.
The NTF held its first meeting on March 29, 2025, where it planned how to study the main reasons behind student suicides in colleges and universities. The Task Force will work on making a detailed report with clear recommendations to improve student mental health.
The work of the Task Force will include:
- Studying current policies related to student mental health.
- Checking existing laws to see if changes are needed.
- Talking to students, parents, teachers, and mental health professionals to understand their concerns.
- Taking public suggestions to make sure all voices are heard.
- Finding practical solutions to create a better support system for students.
The Supreme Court has given the Task Force four months to submit an interim report and eight months to submit the final report.
To involve as many people as possible, the NTF will hold public meetings, online discussions, and consultations with colleges and universities. It will also launch a website and social media pages so that students, parents, and experts can share their opinions and suggestions.
