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Student suicides and welfare concerns in Indian institutes

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2026-10-13 12:35 UTC → 2026-10-13 13:49 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Official data indicates a significant number of student suicides across Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), with 45 deaths reported between the 2020-21 and 2024-25 academic periods. A notable trend shows that over 62 percent of these students belonged to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities. Institutional data highlights IIT-Hyderabad, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT-Delhi, and IIT-Kanpur as having the highest numbers. In a specific incident at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Ranchi, the death of first-year B.Tech student Aditya Kumar from Bhagalpur, Bihar, has triggered significant unrest. Following his alleged suicide in his hostel room on October 10, students protested against the institute’s management, alleging gross negligence. Protesters claimed that medical assistance and an ambulance were not provided in a timely manner, and alleged that the on-duty doctor and security personnel were in an inebriated state. Demands include the resignation of the institute’s director and improvements to hostel facilities. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of the matter, with member Priyank Kanojia stating that notices are being issued to investigative agencies to determine the cause of death and the reasons behind the alleged delay in medical response. Local police have launched a forensic investigation. In response, the Indian Ministry of Education has established a three-member committee to investigate the death. Chaired by Professor Rajni Abbi, Director of the University of Delhi's South Campus, the panel includes a senior psychiatrist and a Ministry official. The committee is tasked with examining the circumstances of the death and assessing institutional support systems, including counseling, mentoring, and grievance redressal mechanisms. The Ministry is also making interim administrative arrangements to ensure the institute continues to function.

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