IIT Delhi says student welfare ‘top priority’, lists support measures amid protests over MSc student’s death

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has issued a detailed press release explaining the steps already taken for student support and welfare measures amid protests on campus following the death of a Master of Science (MSc) Physics student, Rishikesh Kumar.

Students had raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the death and asked for better accountability from the institute. In response to the concerns, IIT Delhi has highlighted measures like academic flexibility, counselling services, mentorship programmes and multiple grievance-redressal channels.

The press release highlighted, “Student welfare and mental well-being remain an absolute priority for IIT Delhi. The Institute will continue to strengthen its systems and take all necessary measures to ensure that its students receive the support and care they need throughout their academic journey.”

IIT Delhi: Steps to reduce academic pressure

Student welfare and mental well-being will always remain a priority for IIT Delhi, and will continue to improve the support systems and take steps so that students receive the help they need during their academic journey at IIT Delhi.

The institute also said that changes introduced with its new curriculum in 2025 have reduced the credit load for first-semester students and added life-skills courses. First-year intake to departmental classes has also been limited to 30 to 60 students. This will reduce the academic pressure. To give students time to complete their credits, the weekend examinations have also been limited.

Another major change introduced is the removal of the minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) requirement for the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree from the 2024-25 academic session.

Focus on mental health, academic, grievance support

IIT Delhi said students can now access mental healthcare services 24x7, with counsellors and psychiatrists available for round-the-clock support. The institute will also provide reimbursement for seeking mental healthcare externally and has an emergency response system for students who need immediate assistance.

The Undergraduate (UG) Buddy programme was offered to postgraduate and international students in 2025, and the faculty members usually talk to students with the help of regular meetings, project guidance, office hours, and feedback from the class committee.

Even students who face any difficulty in studies can ask for help through the Academic Progress Group (APG), offering evening tutoring and support for clearing backlogs in credits since 2023.

The institute also has several channels for students to raise complaints, including its ERP-based grievance system, Board for Student Welfare, Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) cells, hostel wardens and the Internal Complaints Committee. Similarly, confidential counselling channels are also available.

IIT Delhi has also introduced programmes that will promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities on the campus. These initiatives will address discrimination related to caste, gender, language, region and ethnicity.