Suicide Cases In Central Educational Institutes/ Universities

Question by: Behanan Benny

Question

(a)whether the Government is aware of the increasing instances of student suicides in central educational institutes like IITs and Central Universities;
(b)if so, the number of such instances reported during the last three years; and
(c)the measures taken by the Government to stem such activities among the students?

Answer by: Minister of Human Resource Development (Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’)

Answer

• The available data reveals that in higher education institutions of the country, there is decline in the suicide rate. The number of students who committed suicide in IITs and Central Universities during last three years is as under:

• All the institutes take proactive welfare measures to prevent harassment of students and have engaged Doctors/ Counsellors/ Psychologists for counseling of needy students from time to time.

• In addition, the Institute’s own faculties/ Wardens/ Mentors are also actively involved in helping students to deal with a wide range of concerns be it academic, personal, emotional. These Institutes conducts regular counseling sessions through sensitization program for the students’ community and have put in place provision of online registration of complaints/ suggestions. Beside this, motivational lectures/ talks, meditation & yoga sessions, sports meet, cultural meet etc. are organized from time to time to inculcate healthy atmosphere among students.

• UGC vide its letters has also issued instructions for prevention of Caste based discrimination, from time to time, to all the Universities/Deemed to be Universities. Recently, the UGC vide its letter dated 26.06.2019 has communicated to all universities to constitute a committee to look into the discrimination complaints received from the SC/ST/OBC Students /Teachers and non-teaching staff.
• AICTE has also launched three week student induction program which includes physical activities, learning, art form, literature, cinema, social awareness and universal human values to make them stress free.