The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has initiated measures to address student concerns over campus safety, mental health support and the handling of complaints from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC-ST) students following the death of a student on campus on September 18.
The institute has constituted two committees, one to review the functioning of its SC-ST cell and recommend measures to make it more effective, and another to suggest improvements to the hostel environment and strengthen mental health support.
The developments follow protests by students after the death, which was reported as an alleged suicide. During the demonstrations, students submitted several demands to the institute’s director and administration, seeking clear deadlines for their implementation. Strengthening the SC-ST cell was among their key demands.
Review committee to examine SC-ST cell’s functioning
Students had demanded that the SC-ST cell be given greater powers to investigate complaints from students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. They also called for increased student representation to ensure that their concerns are heard and addressed effectively.
A senior IIT Bombay official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a review committee had been formed to examine the demands and recommend changes to strengthen the cell.
The official said the objective was to ensure that the cell was not merely present on paper but had the authority to act on complaints. The committee will assess what changes are needed to improve its effectiveness and enable it to respond more meaningfully to students’ grievances.
New panel to assess hostel conditions and mental health support
A separate committee has been established to examine the hostel environment and identify ways to improve student well-being. It will interact directly with students to understand their concerns and gather suggestions on the changes they believe are necessary.
The panel will also consider whether improvements to campus infrastructure and facilities could help create a safer and more supportive environment for students, with the broader aim of preventing incidents of suicide.
The initiative comes amid demands for better hostel conditions and more effective mental health services, alongside calls for the institute to address complaints from students belonging to marginalised communities.
IIT Bombay advertises 30 counsellor positions
In a parallel effort to expand mental health support, IIT Bombay has advertised 30 temporary counsellor positions, including four posts for senior counsellors.
The counsellors will provide services on campus on either a full-time or part-time basis. According to the senior institute official, the recruitment process has already attracted more than 600 applications.
The applications will be reviewed, after which shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.
The recruitment drive, along with the formation of the two committees, forms part of the institute’s response to concerns raised by students following the September 18 death. Students have called for improvements to mental health support, hostel conditions and the mechanisms available to address complaints from SC-ST students.
The committees are expected to examine the changes required in their respective areas, while the recruitment process aims to expand the availability of counselling services on campus.