NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court has mandated that all higher education institutions (HEIs) must actively prevent student suicides and take full responsibility for student mental health. The court issued a comprehensive set of directions, emphasizing that institutions cannot avoid their duty to create safe and inclusive learning environments.
The order, delivered by Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice R Mahadevan, follows rising concerns over student suicides. It states HEIs cannot penalize students for delayed scholarship payments, including barring them from exams or removing them from hostels.
Task Force Highlights Mental Health Gaps
The Supreme Court’s directives are based on findings from a National Task Force (NTF) established last March. The NTF investigated student mental health and well-being across India. Its interim report revealed significant deficiencies in institutional support.
- 65% of surveyed HEIs lacked access to mental health professionals.
- Nearly 75% of institutions had no full-time counsellors.
- Fewer than one in five HEIs maintained formal ties with external mental health providers.
- Students avoided existing services due to stigma, privacy fears, and mistrust of authorities.
- Committees for harassment and equity often existed only on paper or were ineffective.
The NTF also found deep-seated inequality and discrimination. Students from marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, minorities, persons with disabilities, and first-generation learners, reported facing isolation and lack of support. Ragging also persists in many institutions.
Academic and Financial Pressures
Academic pressure emerged as a major stressor. Students cited strict attendance rules, poorly structured courses, unclear evaluation, and faculty shortages. Medical students reported exploitative academic cultures. Research scholars faced burnout, financial insecurity, and weak supervision.
Financial issues also contributed to stress. Students experienced delays in scholarship payments, uncertainty over fees, and penalties for administrative errors beyond their control.
SC Criticizes Institutional Apathy
The Supreme Court criticized HEIs for their reluctance to participate in the NTF survey. The bench stated, “We are deeply disappointed with the apathetic attitude of most HEIs.” The court also condemned institutions for often attributing suicides solely to individual reasons, avoiding introspection into institutional stressors.
Key Supreme Court Directions
The SC order outlines specific actions HEIs must take to prevent suicides and improve student well-being:
- Data Reporting: Maintain central data for suicides in the 15-29 age group. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) must report school and higher education suicides separately. Over 13,000 students died by suicide in 2023, according to NCRB.
- Immediate Notification: All universities must report any student suicide or unnatural death to the police immediately, regardless of location or study mode.
- Annual Reports: Universities must submit annual suicide reports to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and relevant regulatory bodies.
- Medical Care: Residential universities must ensure 24×7 access to qualified medical care on campus or within one kilometer.
- Fill Vacancies: All vacant teaching and non-teaching posts, especially reserved positions, must be filled within four months . Key administrative posts (Vice-Chancellor, Registrar) must be filled within four months, ideally one month of vacancy.
- Scholarship Payments: Clear all pending scholarship payments within four months . Students cannot face academic or residential penalties for government-caused delays.
- Regulatory Compliance: Strictly comply with UGC regulations on ragging, discrimination, sexual harassment, and student grievances. Establish and ensure proper functioning of mandated committees.
The Supreme Court has directed union and state governments to ensure these orders reach all higher education institutions nationwide.