Supreme Court Establishes National Task Force for Student Mental Health Concerns

Recognizing the increasing instances of student suicides in higher educational institutions, the Supreme Court has set up a National Task Force (NTF) to address student mental health concerns. The court highlighted the need for a comprehensive and effective framework to tackle factors contributing to such incidents. The decision follows the tragic deaths of two IIT Delhi students in 2023, prompting a call for action against academic stress, caste-based discrimination, and other institutional issues. The NTF, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice S. Ravindra Bhat, will investigate causes, analyze existing regulations, and propose solutions to strengthen mental health protections in educational institutions.

Key Highlights of the Supreme Court’s Decision

• Formation of NTF: The Supreme Court has constituted a National Task Force (NTF) to examine student mental health issues and propose remedial measures.
• Chairperson and Members: Justice S. Ravindra Bhat will chair the NTF, with secretaries from the higher education, social justice, legal affairs, and women and child development ministries serving as ex-officio members.

Objectives of the NTF

• Identify key causes of student suicides.
• Assess the effectiveness of existing legal and institutional frameworks.
• Provide recommendations to strengthen protections and prevent student suicides.

Authority of the NTF

• Conduct surprise inspections of educational institutions.
• Suggest additional measures beyond its initial mandate if required.

Timeline for Reports

• Interim report: Within four months.
• Final report: Within eight months.
• Court’s Directives to Law Enforcement:
• Delhi Police must register an FIR regarding the deaths of two IIT Delhi students in 2023.
• Investigations must be conducted by an officer of ACP rank or higher.

Issue of Caste Discrimination

• The court acknowledged caste discrimination as a significant factor in student suicides.
• Police were directed to register an FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Statistics on Student Suicides

Data from the Union Minister of State for Education (2023) indicates that 98 students from higher educational institutions died by suicide since 2018,

• IITs: 39
• NITs: 25
• Central Universities: 25
• IIMs: 4
• IISERs: 3
• IIITs: 2

Legal Aspects

• The court emphasized the police’s duty under Section 174 and Section 154 of the CrPC to investigate unnatural deaths and register FIRs accordingly.