Archive · 27 Aug 2026
IIT-Delhi Death Highlights Hidden Mental-Health Struggles on Campus
Rishikesh Kumar was a bright student from Bihar who studied at IIT-Delhi.
He enjoyed physics and also expressed himself through poetry.
The article says he struggled with mental-health challenges.
He allegedly died by suicide on August 22.
This was reported as the eighth similar incident at the campus since 2023.
IITs have created programs to make campuses more welcoming and supportive.
However, students can still feel intense pressure to succeed and fit in.
A committee found that burnout and isolation can especially affect marginalised and first-generation students.
Rishikesh Kumar, a student from Bihar, allegedly died by suicide at IIT-Delhi on August 22.
Kumar was described as academically bright, interested in physics and poetry, but struggling with mental-health challenges.
His death was reported as the eighth such incident at the campus since 2023.
IITs have introduced measures including women’s and athletes’ quotas and dean of student well-being positions.
A 2023-24 IIT-Delhi committee identified post-coaching burnout and alienation among marginalised and first-generation students.
- Who
- Rishikesh Kumar, an IIT-Delhi student from Bihar.
- What
- His alleged suicide has renewed attention on mental-health struggles and pressure at elite institutions; it was reported as the eighth such campus incident since 2023.
- When
- August 22; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi campus.
- Why
- The death highlighted intense academic competition, post-coaching burnout, and alienation among marginalised and first-generation students.
- Student
- Rishikesh Kumar, from Bihar
- Institution
- Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
- Reported cause
- Alleged suicide
- Date
- August 22
- Campus incidents
- Reported as the eighth such incident since 2023
- Committee findings
- A 2023-24 IIT-Delhi committee described post-coaching burnout and alienation
- Support measures
- Supernumerary quotas for women and athletes, plus dean of student well-being positions