New Delhi, July 27: India’s Supreme Court on Friday issued 15 nationwide guidelines to tackle rising student suicides and mental health concerns in educational institutions, directing all schools, colleges, coaching centres, and hostels to implement a uniform mental health policy.
The move follows an appeal in a case concerning the death of a 17-year-old medical entrance aspirant in Andhra Pradesh, which the top court has now referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said the new guidelines would remain binding until appropriate legislation or regulatory frameworks are introduced.
“All educational institutions must adopt a mental health policy in line with the UMMEED draft guidelines, the MANODARPAN initiative, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy,” the court said in its verdict.
The court mandated that institutions with more than 100 students employ at least one qualified mental health professional. Smaller institutions must establish formal partnerships for referrals to trained professionals.
The guidelines also prohibit batch segregation based on academic performance, public shaming, or setting unrealistic academic targets. Institutions were told to ensure optimal student-to-counsellor ratios, especially during exam periods or times of academic transition.
In a bid to prevent impulsive self-harm, the court ordered the installation of tamper-proof ceiling fans in hostels and restrictions on access to rooftops and balconies. Suicide prevention helpline numbers, including the government’s Tele-MANAS service, must be clearly displayed across campuses and online.
Cities like Kota, Jaipur, and Hyderabad—known for intensive coaching centres—were told to implement additional safeguards due to their disproportionately high student suicide rates.
Teaching and non-teaching staff across institutions must now undergo mandatory training twice a year to recognise psychological distress, provide basic intervention, and refer students to appropriate services.
All institutions must also establish confidential and responsive systems for reporting harassment, sexual assault, ragging, and other grievances, with zero tolerance for retaliation.
The guidelines apply to all public and private educational institutions, regardless of affiliation, and require the submission of anonymised annual reports detailing wellness activities to relevant authorities such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), AICTE, CBSE, or state departments.
Structured, inclusive career counselling sessions are now mandatory for both students and their parents, with an emphasis on reducing academic pressure and broadening awareness of diverse career options. “These guidelines are issued as an interim measure to safeguard student welfare, pending formal legislation,” the bench said.
