By Sanjay Raman Sinha
The Supreme Court has taken a decisive step to address India’s student suicide crisis by ordering the formation of a National Task Force on Mental Health in higher education. This landmark decision follows the tragic deaths of two Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi students—Ayush Ashna and Anil Kumar—who were found dead in their hostel rooms in July 2023. Their deaths, attributed to academic stress and depression, sparked a national conversation on mental health in educational institutions.
The Case That Shook The System
On July 8, 2023, Ayush Ashna and Anil Kumar were discovered dead under suspicious circumstances in their IIT Delhi hostel rooms. A police probe revealed that both students had failed multiple subjects and were under significant academic pressure. The post-mortem confirmed that they died of asphyxia due to hanging, indicating suicide.
Their parents petitioned the Delhi High Court, alleging caste-based discrimination and institutional negligence. However, the Court dismissed the case, citing a lack of evidence. While ruling out discrimination, the Court acknowledged the role of academic stress and called for better mental health support in universities.
The families then appealed to the Supreme Court, which delivered a groundbreaking verdict on March 24, 2025. In its ruling, the apex court ordered the formation of a National Task Force to tackle mental health issues and prevent suicides in higher education institutions.
SC’s Strong Stance On Student Well-Being
The bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive mental health strategy in educational institutions. The justices pointed out that existing policies were inadequate and called for structured guidelines to ensure student welfare, particularly for marginalized communities.
The ruling placed direct responsibility on educational institutions, stating: “The responsibility of maintaining the safety and well-being of students rests heavily on the administration of every educational institution.”
The apex court also criticized the Delhi Police for failing to conduct a preliminary inquiry before concluding that the deaths were caused by academic stress. Referring to the 2014 Lalita Kumari vs Government of UP verdict, the bench reminded authorities that a preliminary investigation is mandatory before registering an FIR.
Furthermore, the Court condemned caste-based harassment on campuses, calling it grossly unconstitutional and demanding stronger enforcement of anti-discrimination policies.
A Growing Crisis: Student Suicides In India
The Supreme Court’s intervention comes amid alarming statistics on student suicides. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 report, over 13,000 students died by suicide in India that year alone. The rate of student suicides has been rising at four percent annually—double the national suicide rate of two percent. The key contributing factors include:
- Intense academic pressure.
- High parental expectations.
- Caste-based discrimination and bullying.
- Mental health disorders with inadequate support systems.
Legal Framework: Where It Falls Short
India has legal provisions addressing mental health, including:
- The Mental Healthcare Act (2017).
- The National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
- Provisions in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
However, these policies focus more on treatment than prevention and suffer from weak enforcement due to limited resources, a shortage of trained professionals, and societal stigma.
Beyond The Task Force: The Need For Holistic Reform
While the Supreme Court’s decision is a significant step forward, experts stress that more needs to be done. The Task Force must go beyond policy recommendations and ensure real-time intervention, including:
- Early mental health screenings in schools and colleges.
- 24/7 helplines and on-campus counselling.
- Faculty training in mental health awareness.
- Strict anti-discrimination policies to protect marginalized students.
- Reducing academic pressure through a balanced curriculum.
India cannot afford to lose more young lives. The Supreme Court’s ruling offers a beacon of hope, but meaningful change will require sustained commitment from educational institutions, policymakers, and society at large.
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