CIC Orders IITs to Establish Committees to Address Student Suicides

Chennai, India Jul 19, 2026 ALN: In recent years, the alarming trend of student suicides at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has drawn significant attention from various stakeholders, including academic institutions, mental health professionals, and government bodies. The Central Information Commission (CIC) has taken a proactive stance in addressing this pressing issue by directing IITs to form high-level committees aimed at preventing such tragic incidents and addressing the underlying factors contributing to them.

The CIC's directive emerged from appeals made by Dheeraj Kumar Singh, an alumnus of IIT-Kanpur and founder of a non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on student rehabilitation and mental health counseling. Singh's appeals were filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, as he sought detailed data regarding the number of students, research scholars, and staff who had tragically ended their lives at several IIT campuses, including IIT-Madras, IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Goa, and IIT-Jodhpur since January 1, 2005.

Singh's request included specific information such as the age, gender, caste/category, academic program, native state, date of suicide, and whether the death occurred on campus. He emphasized that this information was crucial for conducting academic research aimed at understanding the root causes of these incidents. Singh also indicated that the names of the deceased could be withheld to protect their identities.

Details Withheld

In response to Singh's inquiries, IIT-Madras reported seven suicides between 2019 and June 26, 2025, but refrained from disclosing personal details like age and caste, citing exemptions under Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which pertains to personal information. The First Appellate Authority upheld this decision. Similarly, IIT-Kanpur acknowledged 17 suicides from 2005 to 2025, with a concerning trend of at least one suicide reported each year during this period, including three cases in 2024. However, IIT-Kanpur also withheld personal information under the same privacy exemption.

IIT-Goa declined to provide personal information, categorizing it as third-party information exempt from disclosure, while IIT-Jodhpur reported no cases of student suicides. Frustrated by the lack of complete information, Singh escalated his appeal to the CIC, arguing that the data he sought was essential for analyzing the root causes of student suicides across various demographic factors, which would ultimately aid in enhancing his NGO’s mental health counseling programs for students facing academic and personal challenges.

The IITs maintained that revealing the age, caste, and identity of deceased students would infringe upon the privacy rights of the individuals and their families. In their defense, they referenced the Supreme Court's judgment in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) versus Union of India case, along with provisions from the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, asserting that such information constituted protected personal data and could not be disclosed without an overriding public interest.

Central Information Commissioner Sudha Rani Relangi acknowledged that the institutes had provided some information, including the number of deaths, dates of occurrence, gender, native place, and location of death, while withholding sensitive details on privacy grounds. She concluded that the responses from the Central Public Information Officers were legally justifiable.

‘Persistent Crisis’

Despite the legal justifications, the CIC expressed deep concern regarding the ongoing crisis of suicides at IIT campuses. The Commission highlighted the need for urgent action, noting the troubling trend of multiple suicides reported annually, particularly at notable campuses such as IIT-Kanpur and IIT-Kharagpur. The CIC underscored the necessity for these institutions to enhance their preventive mechanisms and mental health support systems.

In light of these findings, the Commission mandated that IITs establish high-level committees, where such entities had not already been created, to identify and recommend effective measures for mitigating the factors contributing to student suicides. This directive emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to addressing mental health issues within these prestigious institutions.

Furthermore, the CIC instructed that information regarding the establishment of these committees be proactively disclosed on the official websites of the IITs, adhering to the principles of transparency outlined in the RTI Act. This move aligns with the observations made by the Supreme Court in the Kishan Chand Jain versus Union of India case, reinforcing the need for accountability and proactive measures in addressing student welfare.

The implications of the CIC's directive are profound, as it not only calls for immediate action to combat the rising incidence of suicides among students but also highlights the broader societal issues surrounding mental health in academic settings. The IITs, known for their rigorous academic environments, often place immense pressure on students, leading to high levels of stress and anxiety. This pressure can be exacerbated by factors such as academic competition, social isolation, and the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Moreover, the establishment of committees dedicated to addressing these concerns may serve as a model for other educational institutions across India, potentially leading to a nationwide reevaluation of mental health support systems in academia. The move could encourage similar initiatives at universities and colleges, fostering a culture of openness and support for students facing mental health challenges.

In conclusion, the CIC's order represents a critical step towards addressing the mental health crisis within IITs and potentially across the broader educational landscape in India. As these institutions work to implement the recommendations of the CIC, there is hope that the measures taken will lead to a significant reduction in student suicides and a more supportive environment for students grappling with mental health issues.

For those in need of immediate support, assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available through various helplines, including the State’s health helpline at 104, Tele-MANAS at 14416, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline at 044-24640050. These resources are vital for students and individuals facing crises, providing essential support and guidance during difficult times.