IIT Delhi to hire more counsellors, review mental health policy

IIT Delhi has shared inquiry recommendations and proposed mental health reforms after a student's death. The institute has also proposed mandatory empathy, soft-skills and mental health sensitisation workshops for faculty members, administrative personnel and hostel staff.

In Short

• Justice Mukta Gupta-led external inquiry submitted a confidential report to IIT Delhi
• Returning students will receive counselling, academic coordination and buddy network support
• New panel will examine emergency responses, referrals and monitoring arrangements

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has announced a series of institutional reforms to strengthen mental health support and student welfare following the death of student Rishikesh Kumar on August 22, 2026.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the institute said the measures were being undertaken in light of the recommendations of an External Inquiry Committee headed by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta.

The committee, which also included a senior expert from AIIMS and two student representatives, submitted its report to the institute. However, IIT Delhi said the report has been kept confidential as per the committee's mandate.

According to the institute, the recommendations primarily focus on systemic reforms in the campus mental health support framework and other institutional mechanisms.

MORE COUNSELLORS, PSYCHIATRISTS TO BE APPOINTED

As part of the proposed reforms, IIT Delhi plans to recruit additional full-time clinical psychologists and counsellors, along with visiting psychiatrists, to expand mental health services on campus.

The institute will also introduce formalised re-entry protocols for students returning after extended leaves of absence. These will include specialised counselling, academic coordination and buddy networks to help students reintegrate into campus life.

An independent Student Grievance Ombudsperson will also be instituted to strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism.

EXTERNAL PANEL TO REVIEW MENTAL HEALTH POLICY

IIT Delhi will constitute an external committee comprising two senior mental health experts, a welfare professional and two student representatives to review its existing Mental Health Support System and Wellness Policy.

The panel will examine existing provisions, emergency response protocols, referral mechanisms and monitoring arrangements before recommending further changes.

MANDATORY MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOPS FOR STAFF, FACULTY

IIT Delhi will also make empathy, soft-skills and mental health sensitisation workshops mandatory for faculty members, administrative personnel and hostel staff. The initiative is aimed at improving awareness of student mental health concerns and equipping those interacting with students regularly to respond with greater sensitivity and empathy.

STUDENTS' FEEDBACK INCORPORATED INTO ACTION PLAN

IIT Delhi said an internal committee comprising senior institute officials and student representatives examined the recommendations of the external panel and prepared an operational roadmap for their implementation.

The recommendations and proposed follow-up measures were shared with students, faculty and staff on October 31.

The action plan was subsequently discussed at the Student Affairs Council meeting on November 3, where student inputs were incorporated into a time-bound implementation framework.

The institute also plans to conduct awareness campaigns on mental health issues and laws related to substance use.

Emphasising its commitment to student welfare, IIT Delhi said the reforms were aimed at building a more empathetic, transparent and resilient campus environment.

The announcement comes amid scrutiny and speculation in sections of the media surrounding the circumstances following the student's death. The institute has sought to clarify the status of the external inquiry while outlining the institutional changes being planned in response to its recommendations.

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