Student Suicides | Supreme Court Constitutes National Task Force To Address Mental Health Concerns In Colleges

In a significant development, the Supreme Court today (March 24) directed the formation of the National Task Force to address the mental health concerns of students and prevent the rising number of suicides in higher educational institutions (HEIs).

The Court also held that in the event of any unfortunate incident, such as a suicide occurring on campus, it becomes the unequivocal duty of the institution to promptly lodge an F.I.R. with the appropriate authorities.

The Court took note of various reports regarding caste discrimination, ragging and academic pressures driving students to suicide. It reminded that universities are not just centres of learning but institutions responsible for the well-being and holistic development of their students.  The Court said that every institution must have a culture of sensitivity and proactive intervention so that every student feels safe, supported, and empowered to pursue their aspirations without fear or discrimination.

“The recurring instances of student suicides in Higher Educational Institutions, including private educational institutions, serve as a grim reminder of the inadequacy and ineffectiveness of the existing legal and institutional framework in addressing mental health concerns of students on campuses and to prevent the students from taking the extreme step of committing suicides. These tragedies underscore the urgent need for a more robust, comprehensive, and responsive mechanism to address the various factors which compel certain students to resort to taking their own lives. In light of the concerns expressed above, a National Task Force to address the mental health concerns of students and prevent the commission of suicides in Higher Educational Institutions is being constituted...”, the Court observed.

The Task Force will be chaired by Former Supreme Court Judge, Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, and shall comprise nine other members:

1. Dr. Alok Sarin, Consultant Psychiatrist, Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science & Research, New Delhi;

2. Prof. Mary E. John (retired), Former Director, Centre for Women's Development Studies, New Delhi;

3. Mr. Arman Ali, Executive Director, National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People;

4. Prof. Rajendar Kachroo, Founder, Aman Satya Kachroo Trust;

5. Dr. Aqsa Shaikh, Professor of the Department of Community Medicine in Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi;

6. Dr. Seema Mehrotra, Professor of Clinical Psychology, NIMHANS;

7. Prof. Virginius Xaxa, Visiting Professor at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi;

8. Dr. Nidhi S. Sabharwal, Associate Professor, Centre for Policy Research in Higher Education, National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi;

9. Ms. Aparna Bhat, Senior Advocate (as amicus curiae).

The decision to constitute the National Task Force came by a bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan while hearing a petition filed by the parents of two students from IIT Delhi, who allegedly died by suicide due to caste-based discrimination and academic pressure.

The petitioners argued that their children were subjected to institutional harassment, which was ignored by the authorities. Despite repeated complaints, the Police failed to register an FIR, prompting the families to seek legal intervention.

Recognizing that suicides in higher educational institutions are a grave concern requiring urgent attention, the Court not only directed the registration of an FIR but also deemed it essential to address the alarming pattern of student suicides reported from various educational institutions nationwide.

The Court highlighted numerous instances of suicides on college campuses and in higher educational institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), believed that it is high time to take cognizance of this serious issue and formulate comprehensive and effective guidelines to address and mitigate the underlying causes contributing to such distress among students.

The Task Force was requested to present an interim report within four months from the date of this order and the final report shall be submitted preferably within eight months from the date of this order. Further, the Court stated that the comprehensive report to be submitted by the task force shall include:

• Identifying causes behind student suicides, including ragging, caste-based or gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, academic pressure,financial stress and discrimination based on tribal identity, sexual orientation, political views etc.

• Reviewing existing policies related to student welfare and mental health.

• Recommending legal reforms to strengthen protections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and other relevant laws.

• Conducting surprise inspections in universities to assess student support mechanisms.

• Developing a national action plan for the mandatory inclusion of mental health services in HEIs.

In this regard, the Court directed the Chief Secretaries of all the States/Union Territories to nominate a high-ranking officer, not below the rank of Joint Secretary in the Department of Higher Education of the respective State/Union Territory, to act as the nodal officer on behalf of the respective State/Union Territory. Further, it directed  all the concerned departments/authorities of the respective State/Union Territory to cooperate with the nodal officer concerned and furnish necessary information, data and assistance as may be sought by such nodal officer.

“We also direct that the Central Government, the Governments of all the States/Union Territories and agencies thereof, and Universities shall extend their full and active cooperation to the Task Force and provide the requisite data, information and assistance, as may be necessary. In the case of delay, reluctance or neglect on part of the aforesaid bodies, the Task Force will be at liberty to approach this Court through the amicus curiae seeking remedial actions.”, the court observed.

“In the process of preparing its report, the Task Force shall have the authority to conduct surprise inspections of any Higher Educational Institution. Additionally, the Task Force shall be at liberty to make further recommendations beyond the specified mandate, wherever necessary, to ensure a holistic and effective approach towards addressing mental-health concerns of students and eliminating the incidence of suicides in Higher Educational Institutions. The Task Force is requested to take into account the views and concerns of all stakeholders, including those of student unions, whether elected or nominated and other student representative bodies, wherever they exist. The Task Force is also requested to seek representation from and consult the governments of all the States and Union Territories. The Task Force may also consider obtaining the views of the different stakeholders by way of circulating a questionnaire and seeking written responses thereupon.”, the court added.

Outlay of Rs. 20 Lacs For Task Force Operations

“We direct the Union of India to deposit an amount of Rupees Twenty Lacs (Rs 20,00,000/-) with the Registry within two weeks from the date of this order as an outlay for the initial operations of the Task Force. The amicus curiae shall be at liberty to move an appropriate application seeking orders for disbursement of any additional funds, whenever necessary. We clarify that this amount is in addition to the financial and administrative responsibility of the Ministry of Education as described aforesaid.”, the court said.

The Court has kept the matter as part heard where the registry shall notify this matte after four months along with the interim report of the Task Force before the same bench after obtaining appropriate orders from the CJI.

Case Title: AMIT KUMAR & ORS. VERSUS UNION OF INDIA & ORS.  

Citation : 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 341

Click here to read/download the judgment

Appearance:

For Petitioner(s) Mr. Mehmood Pracha, Adv. Mr. R. H. A. Sikander, AOR Mr. Jatin Bhatt, Adv. Mr. Sanawar, Adv. Mr. Kshitij Singh, Adv. Ms. Nujhat Naseem, Adv.

For Respondent(s) Mr. Brijender Chahar, A.S.G. Mr. Mukesh Kumar Maroria, AOR Mr. Abhijit Pandove, Adv. Mr. Amit Sharma Ii, Adv. Mrs. Bani Dikshit, Adv. Mr. Varun Chugh, Adv. Mr. Gaurang Bhushan, Adv.