Parliament Question: Increased incidents of student suicides in IITs

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1312 ANSWERED ON 11/02/2026 Increased incidents of student suicides in IITs 1312 Shri P. P. Suneer: Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: (a) whether Government’s attention has been drawn to the increased incidents of suicide deaths across Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) over the last two years; and (b) if so, the details thereof and steps taken to address the mental health concerns and prevent student suicides? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) and (b): 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 As far as Indian Institute 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 to avoid incidences of suicide. 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 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.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 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. *****