- IIT Delhi reports 8 student suicides in five years.
- Two student deaths occurred in 2026, raising concerns.
- Institute's 14 counsellors and support system under scrutiny.
Jagran Correspondent, New Delhi: Serious questions are being raised about the mental health of students and the institutional support system at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi after eight student suicides have been reported at the institute in the last five years, two of which occurred in 2026.
A first-year BTech Civil Engineering student died on March 13, while an MSc Physics student died on Saturday, August 22. The Delhi Police is currently investigating the latest case. The spate of cases has raised questions about how effectively the support system available at the institute is reaching students.
8 Cases In 5 Years, Two Deaths This Year
According to the data, the death of BTech Mechanical Engineering student at IIT Delhi was reported on June 1, 2021, Engineering Physics on October 19, 2021, BTech Mathematics and Computing in July and September 2023, BTech in October 2023, and MTech Polymer Science and Technology in February 2024. This was followed by the deaths of BTech students in March 2026 and MSc student in August.
IIT Delhi Has 14 Counsellors
“Changes in a young person's normal behaviour, if they suddenly distance themselves from friends and family, withdraw from previously held interests, decline in academic or work performance, become frequently absent, appear irritable or depressed, or experience significant changes in their daily routine, these should not be dismissed as simply "aging" or normal stress. Conclusions should not be drawn from a single sign. However, if several changes appear simultaneously, persist, or increase rapidly, it is important to speak to the young person sensitively,” said Dr Om Prakash, Professor (Psychiatry), IHBAS.
IIT Delhi said it provides multiple levels of support to students to address academic pressure, language difficulties, and mental stress. The institute has 14 counsellors. It provides introductory and online sessions for first-year students, counselling in the dormitories, and psychotherapeutic support if needed.
Emergency psychological and psychiatric support is also being provided through agreements with hospitals since October 2023. Discontinuation of studies due to mental health issues is also available.
31-Year-Old IIT Delhi Student Jumps From 6th Floor
A 31-year-old student in IIT Delhi allegedly died by suicide by jumping off from the sixth floor on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Rishikesh Kumar, a was second year MSc Physics student and lived in Shivalik Hostel. The student was a resident of Bihar.
The student entered the IIT Delhi campus at around 8 am. Following this, he went to the lecture hall complex, took the elevator to the sixth floor, and jumped from the building toward the lecture hall complex.
At 8:33 am, the Kishangarh police station received a PCR call about a student jumping from a building on the IIT Delhi campus. Upon reaching the scene, No suspicious marks were found on the deceased's body, other than injuries from a fall. A mobile phone was found in the deceased's pocket.
The police did not recover any suicide note from the scene. Currently, the police are investigating the messages and trying to determine the exact cause of the death. They have obtained counselling records and other relevant information from the institute.