Supreme Court issues landmark guidelines to combat rising student suicides in India
PTC Web Desk: In a significant move to address the alarming rise in student suicides, the Supreme Court has issued 15 comprehensive guidelines aimed at mitigating the academic pressure and psychological distress faced by students across the nation. The court expressed deep concern over the escalating number of suicides linked to academic stress, exam pressure, and the lack of support systems within educational institutions.
The guidelines mandate the implementation of essential measures such as mandatory mental health counselling, the establishment of functional grievance redressal mechanisms, and regulatory oversight across all educational settings, including schools, colleges, universities, coaching centres, and hostels.
A key provision of the court's order calls for the appointment of dedicated mentors or counsellors for smaller student groups, especially during high-stress periods such as exams or academic transitions. These mentors will provide informal, confidential support to students facing emotional challenges.
The court has also directed that all teaching and non-teaching staff undergo compulsory mental health training at least twice a year. This training, which must be conducted by certified mental health professionals, will focus on psychological first aid, identifying early signs of distress, handling self-harm cases, and appropriate referral protocols.
Additionally, educational institutions must ensure that staff are well-equipped to engage with students from diverse, vulnerable, and marginalised backgrounds in a sensitive and inclusive manner. The training will promote a non-discriminatory approach to student welfare.
In an effort to tackle complaints related to sexual harassment, ragging, and other grievances, institutions must set up dedicated internal committees or authorities to address these issues and offer necessary psycho-social support to affected students.
To further strengthen the mental health framework, sensitisation programmes for parents, integration of life skills, emotional regulation, and mental health literacy into student activities are now mandatory. The court also instructed that suicide prevention helpline numbers, including Tele-MANAS and other national services, be prominently displayed in key areas like hostels, classrooms, common spaces, and institutional websites.
The court's decision follows troubling statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which reported 13,044 student suicides in 2022, a sharp rise from 5,425 in 2001. Of the total suicides, 8% were students, with 2,248 deaths attributed directly to academic failure. These alarming figures underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms in the education sector to safeguard student mental health.
The Supreme Court Bench, comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, stressed that these measures are critical in shielding students from psychological harm due to academic pressure and lack of institutional support. The court invoked its powers under Article 32 of the Constitution, ensuring that these guidelines will remain enforceable as law under Article 141 until formal legislation is enacted by Parliament or state legislatures.
The ruling also complements the ongoing efforts of the national task force on student mental health, which is chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ravindra S. Bhat. This initiative aims to bring about lasting improvements to the mental well-being of students across India.
The court's decision was prompted by the tragic death of a 17-year-old NEET aspirant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The student, who had been preparing for the medical entrance exam at a local coaching centre, died on July 14, 2023, while residing in a hostel. The father of the deceased student had initially sought a CBI probe, a request that was rejected by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. However, the Supreme Court has now ordered the CBI to investigate the case further, ensuring that justice is served.
- With inputs from agencies
