An ambulance at the mortuary after Ramswroop Ishram, a 25-year-old PhD student at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K), died. | Photo credit: PTI
The Education Ministry on Thursday (January 22, 2026) set up a three-member committee to review student suicide cases at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kanpur and recommend measures to prevent such incidents and improve support for mental health and well-being.
The three-member committee will be headed by Anil Sahastrabuddhe, chairman of the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), psychiatrist Jitendra Nagpal and joint secretary (higher education). The panel has been asked to submit its report within 15 days.
Two students ended their lives at IIT-Kanpur in the last one month, prompting the government to form a committee.
“The Ministry of Education has taken cognizance of the recent unfortunate incident of suicide of a student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur. The incident has again highlighted the critical importance of strengthening institutional mechanisms to protect the emotional and mental well-being of students in higher education institutions (HEI). The Ministry of Education accords top priority to this context of mental health, mental health and emotional development of students. “Framework Guidelines for Emotional and Mental Well-Being of Students in Higher Education Institutions” in July 2023 to create a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment across colleges in the country In order to review the implementation of the Framework Guidelines and also to look into the recent incidents of student suicides at IIT Kanpur, the authority has approved the constitution of a three-member committee for Saabud. Dr. Jitendra Nagpal and Joint Secretary (Higher Education),” the official order said.
“The committee will submit its report within 15 days and has been directed to identify gaps, systemic challenges and areas requiring strengthening in mental health,” the order added.
The decision comes a day after the death of a PhD student in a hostel. 30 students have ended their lives at IITs across India in the last two years, the IIT Alumni Support Group said. Nine students (30%) of them belonged to IIT-Kanpur. It is the highest number of suicides among all 23 IITs across the country. Seven suicides were reported at IIT-Kharagpur, the second highest number. IIT-Bombay, despite admitting more students than IIT-Kanpur, reported one suicide during the same period.
(Those who are in distress or have suicidal thoughts are encouraged to seek help and advice from the helpline number here)
Published – 23 Jan 2026 01:58 IST
