Archive · 19 Jan 2026
Supreme Court Holds Higher Education Institutions Accountable for Student Suicides
The Supreme Court of India has told colleges and universities that they must do more to help students who are feeling very sad or stressed.
This is because many students have been dying by suicide, and the number has been going up.
The court said that schools need to have people who can talk to students about their feelings and help them.
They also said that schools should give more money to students who need it.
The court is worried because many schools don't have enough help for students who are feeling sad, and this needs to change.
The Supreme Court has ordered Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to be accountable for preventing student suicides.
Student suicides in India rose from 8,423 in 2013 to 13,892 in 2023.
65% of HEIs surveyed by the National Task Force (NTF) do not provide access to mental health services.
73% of HEIs lack full-time mental health services.
The court has directed HEIs to provide free and full-time healthcare and mental health services within 1 km of the institution.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, National Task Force (NTF), Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
- What
- Supreme Court orders HEIs to be accountable for preventing student suicides
- When
- Recent, based on the interim report of the NTF
- Where
- India
- Why
- Due to a significant rise in student suicides and inadequate mental health support in HEIs
- Student Suicides in 2013
- 8,423
- Student Suicides in 2023
- 13,892
- HEIs Without Mental Health Services
- 65%
- HEIs Lacking Full-Time Mental Health Services
- 73%
- Target Gross Enrolment in Higher Education by 2035
- 50%