IIT Delhi releases list of student well-being measures amid student protests

IIT Delhi has outlined academic relief, mental healthcare, mentorship and grievance support measures amid protests over an MSc student's death, while reconstituting an external probe panel headed by retired Delhi High Court judge Mukta Gupta.From academic relief to mental healthcare: IIT Delhi lists student support measuresThe Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has outlined a series of measures aimed at improving student well-being, academic flexibility, mental healthcare, mentorship, diversity and grievance redressal, amid protests following the death of a 31-year-old MSc Physics student.The institute said student welfare and mental well-being remain an absolute priority and that it will continue strengthening its support systems to ensure students receive the care they need throughout their academic journey.ACADEMIC RELIEF AND CURRICULAR FLEXIBILITYIIT Delhi said several measures have been introduced to reduce academic stress and provide greater flexibility to students.Under the new curriculum implemented in 2025, first-semester credit loads have been lightened and life skills courses introduced. First-year departmental classes have also been capped at 30 to 60 students with the aim of minimising student stress. Weekend examinations are being minimised, while flexibility in credit distribution has been retained. Effective from the academic year 2024–25, IIT Delhi also removed the minimum CGPA criteria for the BTech degree.MENTORSHIP AND FACULTY INTERACTIONGuided by the Student-Teacher Interaction Council (STIC), IIT Delhi holds regular semester-wise get-togethers to encourage interaction between students and faculty. Faculty members also engage with students through open-door office hours, project guidance, hostel involvement and Class Committee feedback mechanisms.24/7 MENTAL HEALTHCARE AND WELLNESS SUPPORTThe institute said its student well-being infrastructure includes round-the-clock access to counsellors and psychiatrists, including experts from AIIMS and VIMHANS.Students can also access fully reimbursed external care, while the institute has put in place an emergency response protocol and Academic Unit Wellness Committees (AUWC).The UG Buddy Programme, a mentorship initiative, was expanded in 2025 to include the PG Buddy and International Buddy Programmes. The National Resource Centre for Value Education in Engineering (NRCVEE), an initiative at IIT Delhi, has also integrated yoga and meditation modules as part of its long-term wellness efforts since 2001.ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND STUDENT REPRESENTATIONStudent representation is led by the Student Affairs Council (SAC) and the Cocurricular Academic Interaction Council (CAIC).To help students facing academic challenges, the Academic Progress Group (APG) has been providing evening tutoring and support for students with credit backlogs since 2023.MULTIPLE CHANNELS FOR GRIEVANCE REDRESSALIIT Delhi said complaints are managed through a centralised, reference-tracked ERP portal, the Board for Student Welfare (BSW), specialised SC/ST and OBC cells, hostel wardens, the Internal Complaints Committee and confidential counselling channels.The institute said these mechanisms are intended to ensure transparent resolution of student grievances.DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND BIAS SENSITISATIONThe Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) has been driving non-discrimination and accessibility programmes across the IIT Delhi campus since 2022.Freshers also undergo sensitisation programmes through initiatives including the Initiative for Gender Equity and Sensitisation (IGES), Initiative for Caste Equity (ICE) and the Office of Accessible Education (OAE). These programmes focus on addressing implicit and explicit biases related to caste, gender, language, region and ethnicity.IIT DELHI'S RECENT NEWSThe institute has also reconstituted the external committee investigating the death of a 31-year-old MSc Physics student, with retired Delhi High Court judge Mukta Gupta appointed as the new chairperson.The student, who was pursuing an MSc in Physics, allegedly died by suicide after falling from the Lecture Hall Complex on the IIT Delhi campus.The reconstituted panel will examine the circumstances surrounding the death and is expected to look into issues raised by students following the incident.The development comes as student protests over the death entered their fourth day. The protests also prompted IIT Delhi to suspend classes on Monday.- EndsPublished By: Karan YadavPublished On: Aug 27, 2026 17:03 IST