In the hallowed halls of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), one of India's premier engineering institutions, a shadow has fallen over the campus following two heartbreaking student deaths within a span of just 10 days. These tragedies have reignited urgent conversations about student mental health, academic pressures, and the support systems available in India's top engineering colleges. As the community mourns, the institute's leadership has stepped forward with a bold promise to address grievances swiftly, signaling a potential turning point in tackling the IIT Kharagpur student suicides crisis.

The Heartbreaking Incidents That Prompted Action

On April 18, 2026, Jayveersinh Dodiya, a third-year undergraduate engineering student from Gujarat, was found critically injured after falling from the eighth-floor terrace of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Hall of Residence. Despite being rushed to the B.C. Roy Hospital on campus, he succumbed to his injuries. Police investigations pointed to suicide, though a full probe was initiated to ascertain the circumstances. Jayveersinh, known among peers for his diligence, left behind a grieving family and shocked batchmates who recalled his quiet determination amid rigorous coursework.

Just 10 days later, on April 28, tragedy struck again. Soham Halder, a 22-year-old fourth-year MTech student in Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering from Barasat, West Bengal, was discovered hanging in his room at the Madan Mohan Malviya Hall of Residence. His roommate had stepped out briefly, returning to a devastating scene. What made the incident even more chilling was a scheduled WhatsApp message Halder had sent to his family hours earlier: "I am dying... my body will be in the room. Call someone to take it." He was pronounced dead at the hospital, marking the second such loss in quick succession.

These events are not isolated. They represent the ninth reported student death at IIT Kharagpur in the past 15 months, underscoring a persistent crisis that demands immediate and systemic intervention. The campus, sprawling across 2,100 acres in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district, has long been synonymous with academic rigor, but recent years have highlighted the human cost of unrelenting pressure.

Director Suman Chakraborty's 48-Hour Grievance Resolution Pledge

In response to the mounting grief and student outcry, IIT Kharagpur Director Prof. Suman Chakraborty convened a three-and-a-half-hour open house session with students shortly after the second incident. Addressing concerns head-on, he announced a special email portal for flagging urgent academic or non-academic issues, promising acknowledgment within 48 hours and an emergency action plan within seven days. "Student well-being is our top priority," Chakraborty emphasized, committing to realistic redressal frameworks.

Students voiced frustrations over faculty harassment, lack of leniency for illnesses or family emergencies, retaliatory actions against those seeking supervisor changes, and the stress of the new 30-30-40 evaluation system—30 marks for midterms, 30 for endsems, and 40 for continuous assessment via surprise quizzes and assignments. The director acknowledged outliers among faculty who exacerbate stress, urging faculty advisers to be more empathetic and responsible. He clarified that while systems like those at MIT exist, implementation hinges on individual accountability.

To bolster safety, the institute plans to install 16,000 spring-loaded, anti-suicide ceiling fans across hostels by June 2026, at a cost of Rs 75 lakh. This builds on prior efforts like the SARTH counseling center and comes amid broader scrutiny of mental health infrastructure in Indian higher education institutions.

Student Perspectives: A Cry for Empathy and Change

During the open house, students painted a vivid picture of campus life under strain. "Harassment and intimidation by certain faculty add to our stress," one shared anonymously. "No leniency for falling ill or family emergencies—marks are deducted harshly. Research scholars face retaliation when trying to switch supervisors." General undergraduates decried continuous assessments as relentless, amplifying anxiety during peak seasons like endsems.

Batchmates of the deceased recalled Soham as brilliant but overwhelmed, while Jayveersinh was remembered for his resilience. Social media on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) erupted with trending posts criticizing administrative apathy, with hashtags like #IITKharagpurSuicide drawing thousands of shares. Students called for peer support networks, reduced academic load, and stigma-free counseling access.

• Academic overload from JEE preparation legacy persisting into college
• Isolation for outstation students (over 90% non-local)
• Faculty-student power imbalances
• Stigma around seeking help

Historical Context: IIT Kharagpur's Recurring Tragedy

IIT Kharagpur, established in 1951 as India's first IIT, has produced luminaries but grappled with suicides. From 2021-2025, it recorded 11 such incidents—one of the highest among IITs—compared to IIT Bombay's one. Nationally, IITs saw 65 student suicides in five years, per RTI data shared in Parliament. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 13,892 student suicides in 2023 alone, a 64.9% rise over the decade, accounting for 8.1% of total suicides.

Past cases include PhD scholars citing harassment and undergraduates buckling under backlogs. In 2025, four deaths prompted Supreme Court scrutiny, leading to promises of full-time psychiatrists and holistic programs. Yet, gaps persist, with critics arguing reactive measures fall short.

Mental Health Challenges Across Indian IITs and Engineering Colleges

The IIT Kharagpur student suicides crisis mirrors a national epidemic in higher education. Across 23 IITs, 160 deaths occurred in two decades, 69 in the last five years. NITs like Kurukshetra reported four in 60 days recently. Causes stem from JEE/NEET's high-stakes grind—top rankers face imposter syndrome, fearing failure invalidates their worth.

Experts like psychiatrist Dr. Aqsa Sheikh note suicides cluster around exams, linking to academic stress. Social isolation exacerbates, with 90% students away from home, facing subtle caste discrimination or ragging remnants. Family expectations for high-paying jobs add invisible pressure.

Root Causes: Unpacking the Perfect Storm

Step-by-step, the pressures build: JEE's cutthroat competition (millions vie for ~17,000 seats) instills survival mode. At IITs, branch changes, CGPA battles, internships, and placements intensify. Continuous evaluations leave no respite. Psychological factors—perfectionism, low emotional quotient from rote learning—compound isolation.

Cultural context: In India, engineering degrees promise mobility, but mismatched skills yield underemployment, fueling despair.

Current Support at IIT Kharagpur: SARTH and Beyond

IITKGP's SARTH (Support, Acceptance, Resilience, Therapy, Healing) offers confidential counseling via email (sarth@iitkgp.ac.in), phone (+91 3222 281173), and YourDOST online platform. After-hours help: 81002/81003. Gatekeeper training equips staff; hall visits by counselors are routine. B.C. Roy Hospital has a helpdesk (+91 3222 281008). Yet, utilization lags due to stigma.

Past innovations like "Campus Mothers"—female staff for emotional support—drew mixed reviews for gender stereotypes but aimed at nurturing. Dean of Student Well-being oversees now.

Expert Opinions: Calls for Systemic Overhaul

Psychologists urge proactive screening, not reactive probes. Reduce credit loads, mandate wellness courses, train faculty in empathy. National experts advocate AI-driven early alerts, family counseling integration. Supreme Court interventions highlight accountability beyond helplines.

• Peer mentoring programs
• Flexible grading with wellness leaves
• 24/7 professional counseling
• Parental orientation on pressures

Towards Resilient Campuses: Solutions and Future Outlook

Director Chakraborty's 48-hour pledge is a start, but experts push for UGC-mandated mental health audits in all universities. Successful models: IIT Kanpur's buddy system, IIT Madras' wellness centers. For IITKGP, blending tech (anti-suicide fans) with human touch (trained advisers) holds promise.

India's higher education must prioritize holistic development—define success beyond ranks. With NEP 2020 emphasizing flexibility, campuses can evolve. Stakeholders, from alumni funding wellness to government policy, must unite. The IIT Kharagpur student suicides crisis, though tragic, offers a clarion call for change, ensuring no young mind is lost to unchecked pressure.

For those struggling, resources abound: IITKGP SARTH, national helplines like Vandrevala Foundation (9999666555). Seeking help is strength.

Photo by jaikishan patel on Unsplash