IIT Kharagpur to Appoint Full-Time Psychiatrist After Series of Student Suicides: A Step Towards Mental Health Reform

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has announced that it will soon appoint a full-time psychiatrist to address student mental health concerns. This move comes in the wake of multiple student suicides on campus since January 2025, and just a day after the Supreme Court expressed serious concerns about rising student deaths in IITs and other universities.

The decision is aimed at strengthening existing counselling services, fostering parent-student-institute communication, and creating a healthier academic environment to reduce the alarming number of suicide cases reported from one of India’s premier engineering institutes.

Supreme Court Flags Rising Student Suicides at IIT Kharagpur

On July 30, 2025, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan took note of multiple student suicides, particularly at IIT Kharagpur and Sharda University, Greater Noida. The bench raised a direct question to IIT Kharagpur’s counsel, asking:

“What is wrong with your IIT Kharagpur? Why are students committing suicide? Have you given a thought to this problem? What steps have you taken?”

The Supreme Court directed that investigations into these deaths proceed expeditiously, underlining the urgent need for universities to improve mental health support and ensure student well-being on campus.

Four Student Deaths Since January 2025

According to reports, four BTech students at IIT Kharagpur have died by suicide in their hostel rooms since January 12, 2025. Most recently, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student was found dead, sparking widespread outrage and prompting calls for stronger mental health measures.

Additionally, an earlier incident involved a student allegedly dying while trying to swallow a tablet. These back-to-back tragedies have created a climate of anxiety among students and parents, prompting the institute to revisit its mental health policies and support systems.

Director Announces New Mental Health Initiatives

Responding to the Supreme Court’s observations, Professor Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur, announced immediate steps to improve student mental health services:

1. Appointment of a Full-Time Psychiatrist:
   The institute will hire a dedicated psychiatrist in the coming days to provide professional mental health support and ensure students have access to specialized help in times of crisis.
2. Motivational Lecture Series:
   IIT Kharagpur will offer a series of motivational sessions to help students handle academic pressure, personal anxieties, and emotional distress.
3. Enhanced Counselling Services:
   Although the campus already has 24×7 counselling services, these are currently managed by part-time counsellors, often faculty members or existing stakeholders. The new psychiatrist is expected to strengthen this system with professional expertise.
4. Regular Parent-Institute Interaction:
   The director emphasized that IIT Kharagpur will now speak with parents every alternate month to:
   • Assess the child’s mental well-being.
   • Encourage parents not to impose additional pressure, particularly concerning internships and academic performance.

SETU: Building a Mental Health Bridge for Freshers

During the recent induction programme for new students, Professor Chakraborty highlighted the institute’s ongoing mental health initiative, SETU (Student Engagement, Transition, and Understanding). This programme aims to:

• Help first-year students adjust to IIT life.
• Provide peer support networks.
• Encourage open conversations about mental health challenges.
• Reduce the stigma around seeking help.

The director urged parents to trust the institute’s academic framework, which includes structured internship opportunities and ample support systems, thereby reducing unnecessary external expectations on students.

Fact-Finding Committee to Investigate Deaths

In parallel with new mental health measures, a fact-finding committee has been tasked with probing the recurring student deaths on campus. The committee aims to:

• Identify the root causes of suicides among IIT Kharagpur students.
• Recommend preventive policies for the future.
• Strengthen the institute’s crisis management protocols.

This proactive approach is intended to address immediate needs and long-term mental health reforms within the institution.

Pressure Cooker Environment in IITs

The incidents at IIT Kharagpur highlight a larger systemic issue of academic pressure in India’s premier engineering colleges. Students face:

• Highly competitive academic schedules.
• Stress related to internships and job placements.
• Family expectations for high achievements.
• Mental health stigma prevents many from seeking timely help.

The Supreme Court’s intervention has brought this discussion to the national spotlight, pushing for better support mechanisms across IITs and other higher education institutions.

Looking Ahead: A Culture of Mental Well-Being

With the planned appointment of a full-time psychiatrist, regular parent interactions, motivational sessions, and the SETU programme, IIT Kharagpur hopes to:

• Create a safer and more supportive environment for students.
• Encourage students to seek help without fear of judgment.
• Reduce the tragic recurrence of suicides on campus.

Professor Chakraborty’s message to parents was clear:

“Do not burden your children with extra pressure. We have structured academic activities and internships in place to ensure their growth. Support them emotionally and let them thrive.”

The institute’s upcoming measures signal a much-needed cultural shift toward prioritizing mental health in India’s top academic spaces—a step that could inspire similar action across universities nationwide.