Shivaji Rathore 31 Dec 2025
In a significant and much-needed intervention, the Supreme Court of India, on 24 March 2025, directed the constitution of a National Task Force to address mental health concerns of students and curb the alarming rise in suicides across Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in the country. The Court categorically held that any suicide occurring on a university or college campus mandates the immediate registration of an FIR by the concerned institution, leaving no room for administrative silence or delay. Emphasising institutional accountability, the Court observed that universities are not merely centres of academic pursuit but are custodians of students’ dignity, safety, and holistic well-being.
Background of the Case
The directions were issued by a Bench comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan while hearing a petition filed by the parents of two IIT Delhi students who allegedly died by suicide due to caste-based discrimination and academic pressure. The petitioners contended that repeated complaints of harassment were ignored by institutional authorities and that the police failed to register FIRs, compelling them to approach the Court.
Taking serious note of repeated instances of student suicides across IITs, NITs, IIMs, and other HEIs, the Court acknowledged the systemic inadequacy of existing legal and institutional mechanisms to deal with student mental health crises.
National Task Force: Composition and Mandate
The Task Force will be chaired by former Supreme Court Judge Justice S. Ravindra Bhat and will comprise experts from psychiatry, psychology, social sciences, disability rights, gender studies, and higher education policy, along with Senior Advocate Aparna Bhat as Amicus Curiae. The Task Force has been entrusted with a wide-ranging mandate, including:
Identifying causes behind student suicides such as ragging, caste-based and gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, academic pressure, financial stress, and identity-based discrimination
Reviewing existing mental health and student welfare policies
Recommending legal reforms, including strengthening protections under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
Conducting surprise inspections of HEIs
Preparing a national action plan for mandatory mental health services in educational institutions
Institutional and Governmental Accountability
The Court directed the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to nominate senior nodal officers to assist the Task Force. It further mandated complete cooperation from the Central Government, State Governments, universities, and all concerned authorities, warning that any delay or non-cooperation may invite judicial intervention.
The Task Force has been empowered to consult student unions, representative bodies, and other stakeholders, including through questionnaires and written submissions, to ensure an inclusive and ground-level assessment.
Timeline and Financial Outlay:- The Task Force is required to submit an interim report within four months and a final report within eight months. To facilitate its initial functioning, the Court directed the Union of India to deposit ₹20 lakhs with the Registry, apart from the Ministry of Education’s ongoing administrative responsibilities.
Significance of the Judgment
This decision marks a watershed moment in student welfare jurisprudence, reinforcing that institutional apathy towards mental health and discrimination can no longer be tolerated. By mandating FIR registration, proactive inspections, and structural reforms, the Supreme Court has sent a clear message that student lives are non-negotiable and institutional accountability is paramount.
Case Title: Amit Kumar & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors.
