In a landmark ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court of India directed higher educational institutions (HEIs) across the country to take proactive responsibility for students’ mental well-being, making it mandatory to report every suicide or unnatural death and to provide round-the-clock medical assistance on residential campuses. The order stems from recommendations of a National Task Force (NTF) constituted by the court in March 2025 under retired Justice Ravindra S. Bhat, following growing concerns over rising student suicides and inadequate institutional support mechanisms.

Background

The NTF was tasked with examining systemic failures in HEIs that may contribute to student distress, particularly suicides, and recommending actionable solutions. While various UGC guidelines already exist covering issues such as ragging, drug abuse, sexual harassment, accessibility, and mental health, the Supreme Court observed that they largely remain “prescriptive” and lack effective enforcement.

The bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan adopted the findings of the NTF, emphasizing that HEIs must go beyond mere compliance and actively safeguard the welfare of their students.

“The youth of this country are increasingly becoming vulnerable to suicides than the overall population,” the bench noted, referencing the NTF’s survey of 60,383 HEIs, which had a response rate of 3.5%.

Mandatory Reporting and Data Tracking

The Supreme Court has made reporting of student suicides and unnatural deaths compulsory, regardless of whether they occur on-campus, in hostels, postgraduate accommodations, or off-campus. HEIs are now required to:

• Report all incidents of student suicides or unnatural deaths to police authorities immediately upon knowledge.
• Submit annual reports on such incidents to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and other relevant regulatory bodies.
• Maintain Sample Registration System data for suicides among students aged 15-29, with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) distinguishing between school and higher education suicides.

The court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution, which empowers it to pass orders necessary to ensure complete justice, to direct these measures.

24/7 Medical Access

The NTF survey revealed that over 70% of HEIs lacked on-campus medical support, and less than 20% had external linkages for emergency medical help. In response, the Supreme Court ordered:

• Every residential HEI must have qualified medical help available 24/7.
• If on-campus medical facilities are unavailable, institutions must ensure medical support within a 1 km radius for emergencies.

This provision is intended to provide immediate intervention in crises, potentially preventing deaths by suicide and other emergencies.

Scholarship and Academic Safeguards

The Supreme Court also addressed institutional barriers faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly delays in scholarship disbursement. The NTF found that some institutions barred students from exams, attendance, or hostel access due to pending scholarships, exacerbating mental stress.

The court directed:

• No student should be prevented from attending classes, appearing in exams, staying in hostels, or receiving marksheets/degrees due to scholarship delays.
• All pending scholarship backlogs must be cleared within four months.
• If scholarships cannot be disbursed on time, sponsors must issue written notice to the HEI and the student within two months, providing reasons for the delay.

The court emphasized that affirmative action in education should not stop at admission alone but must also ensure that support systems exist to ameliorate inequities and prevent undue stress.

Campus Safety and Institutional Responsibility

Beyond mental health, the court addressed other systemic issues contributing to student distress:

• Equal Opportunity Centres (EOCs) and Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) for sexual harassment were found to often lack independence and favor perpetrators. The court urged HEIs to strengthen these mechanisms to genuinely protect students.
• Rigid attendance policies and faculty shortages were cited as additional stressors, with medical students reporting 36-48 hour on-call schedules as a significant cause of anxiety.
• HEIs were directed to fill all vacant teaching and non-teaching positions within four months, with priority given to reserved posts.

Key Directives at a Glance

1. Mandatory Reporting:

• Report all student suicides or unnatural deaths immediately to police.
• Submit annual reports to UGC and other regulators.

2. Data Tracking:

• Maintain Sample Registration System data for ages 15-29.
• NCRB to distinguish between school and higher education suicides.

3. Medical Access:

• Residential HEIs must provide qualified medical help 24/7.
• If on-campus facilities are unavailable, ensure support within 1 km.

4. Scholarship Protection:

• Students cannot be barred from exams, classes, or hostels due to delayed scholarships.
• Scholarships backlogs to be cleared within 4 months.
• Sponsors must provide written notice of delays within 2 months.

5. Institutional Reform:

• Fill vacant faculty and staff positions within four months.
• Strengthen EOCs and ICCs for independence and fairness.
• Review and revise rigid attendance policies and extreme work-hour schedules.

Implications

This ruling marks a significant shift in accountability for HEIs, placing mental health and student welfare at the center of institutional responsibilities. By mandating reporting, ensuring medical support, and safeguarding academic rights, the Supreme Court seeks to systematically address the rising trend of student suicides.

The order also sends a strong message that regulatory compliance alone is insufficient—HEIs must actively cultivate an environment of care, support, and equity, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged students.

Way Forward

The Centre and state governments have been directed to communicate the Supreme Court’s orders to all HEIs immediately. The NTF’s recommendations, combined with the court’s binding directives, are expected to transform campus safety and mental health policies nationwide, potentially serving as a model for long-term reforms in higher education.

By linking institutional accountability with mental health, scholarship protection, and emergency response, the Supreme Court has charted a comprehensive framework aimed at protecting the lives and well-being of India’s student population.

This decision underscores that student welfare is not optional—it is a legal, moral, and administrative responsibilityof every HEI in the country.