Lok Sabha Question No. 63 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-01
Subject: Student Suicides in IITs
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Joyanta Basumatary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 63 ANSWERED ON-01/12/2025

## Student Suicides in IITs

## 63. Shri Joyanta Basumatary:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  cases  of  student  suicides  in  IITs  across  the  country  during  the  last ten years, year-wise;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  set  aside  any  amount  of  funds  allocated  to  IITs  for ensuring adequate mental health facilities for students and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  constituted  any  committee  or  conducted  survey  to examine the mental health of students in IITs and suggest measures to improve the same and if so, the details of the recommendations thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (d): Comprehensive analysis of the data related to the accidental deaths and suicides in the country is published in the yearly Accidental Death & Suicide in India (ADSI) reports by National  Crime  Record  Bureau  (NCRB).  Year  wise  and  State  wise  details  of  student suicides are available in the ADSI reports which are accessible at: https://ncrb.gov.in/accidental-deaths-suicides-in-india-year-wise.html

To address the issue of suicide, the Government is taking multi-pronged measures and  provides  psychological  support  to  students,  teachers  and  families  for  mental  and emotional well-being to avoid incidences of suicide. An initiative of Ministry of Education, Manodarpan , covers a wide range of activities to provide psychological support to students, teachers and families for mental and emotional well-being such as National toll-free helpline that has been extending guidance to callers through trained counsellor; and live interactive sessions 'Sahyog' and  Webinars  ' Paricharcha' that  are  organized  regularly  to  create awareness  about  the  importance  of  mental  health  among  all  stakeholders,  students  in  all States/UTs.

UGC  issued  advisory  to  HEIs  on  06.01.2023  regarding  the  National  Suicide Prevention  Strategy  framed  by  the  Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare.  UGC  has  also issued  Guidelines  for  Promotion  of  Physical  Fitness,  Sports,  Student's  Health,  Welfare, Psychological  and  Emotional  Well-  being  at  HEIs  on  13.04.2023.  The  Ministry  on 10.07.2023 has also  circulated  a  broad  framework  for  emotional  and  mental  well-being  of students  in  Higher  Education  Institutes  (HEIs)  with  request  to  take  proactive  measures  to incorporate the same in the institutional functioning and instill a feeling of confidence in the student community. These guidelines lay emphasis inter alia on sports, yoga, meditation etc. to address the wellbeing and mental health concerns.  HEIs are promoting the integration of yoga  in  the  academic  life  on  campus  by  introducing  year  long  yoga  event  calendars, dedicated courses on yoga etc.

Department of Higher Education has initiated the Integrated approach for Promoting Positive  Mental  Health,  Resilience,  and  Wellbeing  under  the  Malaviya  Mission  Teacher Training Programme to empower faculty to address student mental health concerns for early intervention.

In pursuance of Supreme Court of India's Order dated 24.03.2025, a National Task Force (NTF) has been constituted under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) S. Ravindra Bhat, Former Judge, SCI for identification of the predominant causes which lead to commission of suicides  by  students,  analysis  of  Existing  Regulations,  recommendations  for  Strengthening Protections etc.

Additionally,  IITs  have  established  Student  Wellness  Centres  (SWCs)  to  promote student  well-being  through  volunteer  programs,  student  counselling/training  sessions  and grievance redressal mechanisms. Beyond utilizing professional online counselling platforms, IITs  also  employ  mental  health  professionals,  including counselors, psychiatrists,  and psychometricians to provide in-person counseling and support to the students.

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