IITs face 53 student deaths in 5 years
Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, at least 53 students at IITs lost their lives, with over half from SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds.
Most of these deaths were suicides, a fact revealed by official data obtained in late 2025, shining a light on the mental health struggles faced by students at these top institutes.
Experts urge IITs to prioritize wellbeing
Of at least 53 deaths, 45 were suicides, with IIT Kharagpur, Delhi, and Hyderabad seeing the most cases.
Experts say current support systems aren't enough; even though, as of December 1, 2025, IITs had 108 counselors across all IITs, many students still feel let down.
Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, vice chancellor of BITS Pilani and former IIT Delhi director, said IITs need to move from crisis management to prevention, with wellbeing integrated into campus life and stronger faculty-student engagement to truly help those who are struggling.