IIT Delhi Announces Mental Health Reforms After Student’s Death; Plans More Counsellors, Ombudsperson | Education and Career News
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The proposed measures include hiring additional clinical psychologists and counsellors, appointing an independent Student Grievance Ombudsperson, among others.
IIT Delhi will constitute an external committee to review its existing Mental Health Support System and Wellness Policy. (Image: PTI)
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi plans to strengthen its mental health support system and introduce new student welfare measures following the death of MSc student Rishikesh Kumar in August 2026. The proposed measures include recruiting more full-time clinical psychologists and counsellors, engaging visiting psychiatrists and appointing an independent Student Grievance Ombudsperson.
The institute also plans to introduce formal re-entry protocols for students returning to campus after extended leaves of absence. These arrangements will include specialised counselling, academic coordination and buddy networks to help students adjust to campus life.
Follows the death of Rishikesh Kumar on August 22, 2026, an external inquiry committee headed by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta was constituted to examine the incident and recommend measures to strengthen student welfare.
IIT Delhi plans to recruit additional full-time clinical psychologists and counsellors, reported the Indian Express. The institute will also engage visiting psychiatrists to expand access to professional mental health services.
The proposed re-entry framework will provide support to students returning after extended leaves. It will include counselling, academic assistance and buddy networks to help them resume their studies. The institute also plans to appoint an independent Student Grievance Ombudsperson to strengthen its grievance redressal system.
According to the institute’s statement, IIT Delhi will constitute an external committee to review its existing Mental Health Support System and Wellness Policy.
The proposed panel will comprise two senior mental health experts, one welfare professional and two student representatives. It will examine existing support arrangements, emergency response mechanisms, referral systems and monitoring procedures.
The institute has also proposed mandatory workshops on empathy, soft skills and mental health sensitisation for faculty members, administrative staff and hostel personnel.
Other planned initiatives include awareness campaigns on mental health and laws related to substance use.
An internal committee examined the recommendations of the external inquiry panel and prepared a roadmap for implementing the proposed measures.
The roadmap was shared with students, faculty members and staff on October 31. It was subsequently discussed at a Student Affairs Council meeting on November 3, where feedback from students was incorporated into the implementation plan.
The external inquiry committee, headed by Justice Mukta Gupta, has submitted its report to the institute. However, IIT Delhi has said that the report will remain confidential.
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Ask News18Following the death of MSc student Rishikesh Kumar in August 2026, IIT Delhi plans to recruit additional full-time clinical psychologists and counsellors, engage visiting psychiatrists, and appoint an independent Student Grievance Ombudsperson. The institute will also introduce formal re-entry protocols featuring specialized counselling and buddy networks for students returning after extended leaves.
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November 05, 2026, 12:06 IST
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