Lok Sabha Question No. 2612 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Student Suicides in IITs/HEIs
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Com. Selvaraj V, Shri Subbarayan K, Prof. Sougata Ray, Adv K. Francis George

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2612 ANSWERED ON 09/03/2026

## Student Suicides in IITs/HEIs

2612.   Com. Selvaraj V:

Shri Subbarayan K:

Prof. Sougata Ray:

Adv K. Francis George:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) the details of student suicides reported in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) during the last five years, IIT-wise;

(b) whether the Government is aware of increasing incidents of suicides among students in

HEIs, if so, the details thereof along with the reported cases during the last five years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government has examined the reasons behind the loss of lives of brilliant students  including  pressure  of  syllabus/curriculum,  financial,  social  or  institutional  factors contributing  to  student  distress  and  if  so,  the  details  and  findings  thereof  along  with  any national-level study conducted in this regard;

(d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  mental  health  concerns  and  prevent suicides, including strengthen campus counselling systems, grievance redressal mechanisms and mental health awareness programmes; and

(e) whether the  Government proposes to review institutional policies relating to attendance, evaluation and academic pressure to reduce student distress and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): 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/accidentaldeaths-suicides-in-india-year-wise.html

As far as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are concerned, these institutions have taken  multi-pronged  measures  to  provide  psychological  support  to  students,  teachers  and families  for  mental  and  emotional  well-being.  An  initiative  of  Ministry  of  Education, Manodarpan ,  was  initiated  to  cover  a  wide  range  of  activities  to  provide  psychological support to students, teachers and families for mental and emotional well-being. Under this, a National toll-free helpline has been extending guidance to callers through trained counsellor; and live interactive sessions 'Sahyog' and Webinars ' Paricharcha' are organized regularly to create awareness about the importance of mental health among all stakeholders.

Department  of  Higher  Education  has  also  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.

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. In pursuance of Order dated 24.03.2025 of Hon'ble Supreme Court in Criminal Appeal No. 1425 of 2025 in the matter of Amit Kumar & Ors Vs. Union of India & Ors., a National Task Force (NTF) has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Justice  (Retd.)  S.  Ravindra  Bhat,  Former  Judge,  SCI  to  identify  predominant  causes  of suicides  by  students,  analysis  of  existing  regulations  and  suggest  recommendations  for strengthening students' protection.

Additionally, IITs have established student wellness services to promote student wellbeing  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.

- *****