NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed all states, Union Territories, and the Central government to submit compliance reports on student mental health and suicide prevention guidelines within eight weeks . This directive addresses the implementation of comprehensive guidelines issued by the court on July 25, 2023 , aimed at curbing rising student suicides in educational institutions.
SC Demands Compliance Reports
Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta presided over the bench. They ordered states and Union Territories to detail their guideline implementation. The Centre must also file an affidavit outlining its steps taken to comply with the previous orders.
The court heard a matter regarding adherence to its July 25, 2023 , judgment. That verdict had mandated the Centre file a compliance affidavit within 90 days. All states and Union Territories are now formal respondents in the case, and they must file their responses within the specified eight-week period.
Urgency Amidst Rising Suicides
The court emphasized the severe mental health crisis affecting students. An National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report revealed over 13,800 student suicide deaths in 2023 . This figure represents the highest number recorded in a decade.
The Supreme Court previously noted a “legislative and regulatory vacuum” in the country. This gap specifically pertains to a unified, enforceable framework for student suicide prevention. This framework applies across educational institutions, private coaching centres, and student-centric environments.
Court’s 2023 Guidelines
The court issued 15 pan-India guidelines as part of its July 25, 2023 , verdict. These guidelines will remain in force and be binding until appropriate legislation or regulatory frameworks are enacted by competent authorities.
The directives mandate that all educational institutions adopt and implement a uniform mental health policy. This policy must draw cues from existing initiatives like the ‘Ummeed’ draft guidelines, the ‘Manodarpan’ initiative, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Policy Implementation and Support
Institutions must review and update their mental health policies annually. The updated policy must be publicly accessible on institutional websites and notice boards. This ensures transparency and easy access for students and parents.
The Ministry of Education released the ‘Ummeed’ draft guidelines in 2023. ‘Ummeed’ stands for Understand, Motivate, Manage, Empathise, Empower, and Develop. These guidelines provide strategies for preventing student suicide at the school level.
For broader student well-being, the Ministry also launched ‘Manodarpan’. This initiative supports the mental health and emotional well-being of students. It was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to serve students.
Coaching Centre Regulations
The July 25, 2023 , verdict also included specific directives for private coaching centres. States and Union Territories must notify rules within two months mandating registration, student protection norms, and grievance redressal mechanisms for these centres. This aims to create a safer and more accountable environment for students attending coaching classes.
Case Origin and Next Steps
The Supreme Court’s directives originated from an appeal. The appeal contested an Andhra Pradesh High Court order. That order rejected a plea to transfer the investigation into the unnatural death of a 17-year-old National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) aspirant, who was preparing in Visakhapatnam, to the CBI.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the matter for its next hearing in January 2026 . This timeframe allows states, Union Territories, and the Centre to prepare and submit their detailed compliance affidavits.