Kharagpur, West Bengal, 30 July 2025 – On the heels of a stern rebuke from the Supreme Court over rising student suicides, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has announced that it will hire a full‑time psychiatrist and roll out a raft of mental‑health initiatives for its 13,000‑plus students. A Supreme Court bench recently asked the institute, “What is wrong with your IIT Kharagpur? Why are students taking their own lives?” while directing that investigations into the recent deaths proceed expeditiously. The court’s questions were prompted by a series of tragedies—four IIT Kharagpur students have died by suicide since 12 January 2025.
A campus shaken by tragedy
The most recent death, involving a fourth‑year mechanical engineering student, triggered nationwide outrage and forced officials to confront an uncomfortable reality. IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty admitted that a purely academic focus is no longer enough: “We will be appointing a new full‑time psychiatrist within the next few days. Besides, we will be introducing motivational lecture series for all the students,” he said. Currently, counselling services are staffed by part‑time volunteers from the faculty.
What the Supreme Court said
During the hearing, Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan questioned whether the institute had considered systemic causes of stress. They asked administrators to outline the steps taken to prevent further deaths. The court also noted similar incidents at Greater Noida’s Sharda University and asked why engineering campuses nationwide appear unable to protect vulnerable students.
How IIT Kharagpur plans to respond
Beyond hiring a psychiatrist, the institute will launch motivational lectures, peer‑support groups and regular wellness workshops. Chakraborty said he plans to involve parents directly: every alternate month, the institute will host interactive sessions where parents are urged not to over‑burden their children with expectations. “We want parents to understand that internships and jobs are coordinated by the institute itself; extra pressure is unnecessary,” he explained. A fact‑finding committee has been asked to examine root causes and recommend policy changes.
Why this matters
Mental‑health professionals say the 24×7 pressure to excel in India’s elite engineering schools, coupled with fear of failure, can lead to burnout and despair. Dr Anjali Menon, a clinical psychologist who works with IIT students, noted that academic expectations and parental pressure often leave little space for self‑care. “Providing accessible counselling and involving families are critical steps. But institutions must also foster a culture where asking for help is normal,” she told The Rising News.
Impact on students and parents
The planned interventions have been widely welcomed, but experts caution that lasting change will require sustained investment. Students hope the psychiatrist’s presence will destigmatise seeking help. Parent‑teacher associations have pledged to support the institute’s outreach, acknowledging that mental health must become part of the curriculum. IIT Kharagpur’s decision could set a precedent for other campuses grappling with student suicides.
What’s next
The institute aims to complete the psychiatrist’s recruitment by mid‑August 2025 and roll out the motivational lecture series in the autumn semester. A dedicated mental‑health webpage will host resources and emergency contacts. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will review progress in its next hearing in September 2025.
