IIT Delhi to appoint student ombudsperson, strengthen mental health support after Rishikesh's death

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has announced a series of reforms to its mental health support and student welfare systems following the death of MSc student Rishikesh Kumar on August 22, 2026. The institute said it has prepared a time-bound implementation plan based on recommendations made by an external inquiry committee headed by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta.

In a press release issued on November 4, IIT Delhi clarified that the external committee has directed the institute to keep its report confidential. The panel, which included a senior domain expert from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and two student representatives, submitted its findings to the institute.

IIT Delhi said the recommendations primarily focus on systemic reforms in mental health support and related institutional systems. The announcement comes amid questions over the institute's handling of the inquiry report. A report by The Telegraph on November 4 said the external panel had flagged institutional lapses in dealing with Kumar's concerns. However, IIT Delhi has not disclosed the committee's findings, citing the confidentiality requirement.

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The institute said an internal committee comprising the Deputy Director (Operations), Dean (Student Affairs), Dean (Academics), general secretaries of the Student Affairs Council (SAC) and the Board of Student Welfare (BSW), and the Assistant Registrar (Student Affairs) examined the recommendations and prepared an operational roadmap for implementation.

IIT Delhi proposed follow-up actions and the operational roadmap with students, faculty and staff on October 31. The proposed action plan was subsequently discussed at the SAC meeting on November 3, where students' inputs were incorporated into a time-bound implementation plan.

IIT Delhi’s measures to strengthen student support

As part of the reforms, IIT Delhi will organise extensive awareness campaigns on mental health issues and substance-use laws. The institute also plans to expand clinical care by recruiting additional full-time clinical psychologists and counsellors, along with visiting psychiatrists.

It will introduce formalised re-entry protocols for students returning after extended leaves of absence. These will include specialised counselling, academic coordination and buddy networks to help students resume their academic and campus life. The institute also plans to establish an independent Student Grievance Ombudsperson as part of an integrated grievance redressal system.

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In addition, an external committee will review IIT Delhi's Mental Health Support System and Wellness Policy. The proposed committee will comprise two senior mental health experts, one welfare professional and two student representatives. It will assess existing provisions, emergency-response protocols, referral mechanisms and monitoring arrangements, and recommend changes.

IIT Delhi has also proposed mandatory sensitisation workshops for faculty members and administrative and hostel staff. These sessions will focus on empathy, soft skills and mental health awareness. The institute said the reforms are aimed at creating an empathetic, transparent and resilient campus environment and strengthening its student welfare systems.

Rishikesh Kumar's death and IIT Delhi student protests

Rishikesh Kumar, an MSc Physics student at IIT Delhi, died on campus on August 22, triggering protests by students who demanded an independent investigation, accountability from institute officials and compensation for his family.

Students had raised concerns over institute's handling of Kumar's mental health issues, hostel accommodation and academic difficulties. Kumar had previously received treatment for mental health issues and was living outside the campus after returning to IIT Delhi. His family and fellow students alleged that difficulties in securing hostel accommodation and navigating the institute's administrative processes added to his distress.

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The protests also brought wider concerns about student welfare, hostel policies and access to mental health support along with demand for resignation of officials responsible for student affairs and hostel management. IIT Delhi initially constituted an external inquiry committee headed by former Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar. Students objected to the panel's composition, following which Ashok Kumar recused himself. The institute subsequently formed a fresh committee headed by Justice Mukta Gupta.

The committee has since submitted its report to the institute. While IIT Delhi has maintained that the report must remain confidential, it has said the recommendations are being implemented through the institutional action plan announced on November 4.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.