NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Thursday directed all higher education institutions (HEIs) across India to immediately report any student suicide or unnatural death to police authorities. The court emphasized that HEIs must ensure their campuses are safe, equitable, and inclusive learning environments.
A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan issued the directive. This reporting requirement covers all students, regardless of their learning mode (classroom, distance, or online). It also applies to deaths occurring on campus, in hostels, PG accommodations, or off-campus premises.
HEIs must also submit an annual report on student suicides or unnatural deaths to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and other relevant professional regulatory bodies. Central universities, institutes of national importance, and other HEIs not covered by these frameworks must report to the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
Mandatory Medical Support and Staffing
The Supreme Court ordered every residential HEI to provide round-the-clock qualified medical help . This support must be available either on campus or within a one-kilometer radius to address student medical emergencies.
The court also addressed faculty shortages in both public and private HEIs. It mandated that all vacant faculty positions, including teaching and non-teaching roles, must be filled within four months . Priority must be given to posts reserved for marginalized, underrepresented communities, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Special recruitment drives can be held to fill reserved faculty positions, adhering to central and state government rules. The court noted that student suicides indicate a broader issue of student distress and well-being. Therefore, filling vacancies for Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, and other key administrative positions must also occur within four months . Subsequently, these positions must be filled within one month of a vacancy arising to ensure smooth institutional operation.
Accountability and Scholarship Disbursement
The Supreme Court requires all HEIs to submit annual reports to central and state governments. These reports must detail the number of vacant and filled reserved posts, reasons for non-filling, and the time taken to fill them. This measure aims to ensure periodic accountability.
All pending scholarship disbursements from relevant central and state government authorities must be cleared within four months . Future scholarship disbursements must adhere to clear timelines without delay. HEIs must communicate disbursal dates and schedules to student recipients.
Student Protection from Fee Penalties
The court explicitly stated that HEIs must not make students accountable for paying or clearing fees due to unavoidable administrative delays in scholarship disbursement. No student should face penalties such as being prevented from appearing in examinations, removed from hostels, barred from classes, or having marksheets and degrees withheld because of scholarship delays. The court will view any such institutional policy strictly.
Compliance and Data Collection
All HEIs must comply with binding regulations, including the UGC Regulation on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009. The Supreme Court also directed that sample registration system data on suicides, particularly for the 15-29 years age group , must be centrally maintained. This will provide more accurate estimates of student deaths by suicide in HEIs.
Last year, the apex court established a National Task Force (NTF) to address student mental health concerns and prevent suicides. The court reiterated that colleges are responsible for both academic excellence and student mental well-being.
Resources: If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or experiencing distress, please seek help. Contact 9820466726 or visit AASRA’s official website ataasra.info. You can also call iCALL on 9152987821. Additional helpline numbers for suicide prevention organizations are available atfindahelpline.com.