Parliament Question: Student Suicides in Educational Institutions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4963 ANSWERED ON 23/03/2026 Student Suicides in Educational Institutions 4963. Shri Rahul Gandhi: Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that student suicides have increased by 65 per cent between 2013 and 2023 as per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data and if so, the reasons thereof; (b) the details of the data on student suicides during the last ten years in Government, Government-aided and private educational institutions, year-wise, State-wise and social category-wise; (c) whether the Government has conducted any study to determine the major causes of student suicides, including the link between caste-based discrimination and suicides, if so, the details thereof; (d) the details of the budget allocation and actual expenditure on counselling services and mental health awareness programmes during the last ten years; (e) the details of other steps and interventions undertaken by the Government to prevent student suicides; (f) the number of caste-based discrimination complaints received and resolved in educational institutions during the last ten years, State-wise; and (g) whether the Government proposes to strengthen or enact legislation to hold institutional accountability for caste-based discrimination leading to student suicides and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (Dr. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (g): National crime Record Bureau (NCRB) collects data on suicides from police recorded suicide cases. 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 per these Reports, there are various causes of suicides like professional/career problems, sense of isolation, abuse, violence, family problems, mental disorders, addiction to alcohol, financial loss, chronic pain etc.As far as the Central Government is concerned; to address the issue of suicide, it 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 to provide guidance to callers through trained counsellor; 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 etc. These sessions are telecast on PM e-Vidya channels and are also available on ‘NCERT Official’ YouTube Channel. UGC has issued advisory to HEIs in January, 2023 circulating the National Suicide Prevention Strategy framed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. UGC 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 of Education in July, 2023 has 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 instil a feeling of confidence in the student community. Accordingly, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Gandhinagar and IIT Roorkee have conducted workshops on Mental Wellness & Stress Management. Integrated approach for Promoting Positive Mental Health, Resilience, and Wellbeing under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme was started. It comprises online and in- person sessions, visits to institutions with innovative mental health practices, and an Annual National Wellbeing Conclave. The goal is to empower faculty to address student mental health concerns by early intervention. To address the issue of mental health, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MHFW) is implementing National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country, which include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc at Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels. In addition, the Government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level. The Government has upgraded more than 1.81 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental health services have been added in the packages of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. A National Tele Mental Health Programme has been launched in 2022, to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on 18.03.2026, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States (MANAS) Cells. More than 34,91,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number. The Government has also launched Tele MANAS Mobile Application, which is a comprehensive mobile platform that has been developed to provide support for mental health issues ranging from wellbeing to mental disorders. In addition, a video consultation facility has been introduced under Tele-MANAS, as an upgrade to the existing audio calling service.The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 decriminalizes the suicide under Section 115, recognizing it as a manifestation of severe stress further mandating the government’s responsibility to provide care, treatment and rehabilitation to the person who attempts suicide. 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, analyze existing regulations and suggest recommendations for strengthening students’ protection. To address the issue of equity and inclusion in the education, Government has taken multipronged approach and initiatives. In order to proactively address any issues of SC / ST students, Institutes have set up mechanisms such as SC / ST students’ cells, Equal Opportunity Cell, Student Grievance Cell, Student Grievance Committee, Student Social Club, Liaison officers, Liaison Committee etc. UGC had also notified Regulations on curbing the menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009 which have been further amended on 29.06.2016 to expand the ambit of ragging. In order to prevent ragging in Higher Education Institutions, UGC has setup a nationwide toll free 24x7 anti ragging helpline 1800-180-5522 in 12 languages which can be accessed by students in distress owing to ragging related incidents. UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023 have been formulated to safeguard the interest of students. As per the regulation, universities are required to constitute Students Grievance Redressal Committee and appoint Ombudsperson. ***