NEW DELHI, | JULY 30, 2025 —In a landmark judgment addressing the growing mental health crisis among Indian students, the Supreme Court has issued a set of mandatory national guidelines for all educational institutions. The ruling stems from the case Sukdeb Saha v. State of Andhra Pradesh (MANU/SC/0980/2025), marking a historic intervention in India’s student suicide epidemic.
KEY GUIDELINES ENFORCED IMMEDIATELY
The Court has ordered immediate implementation of the following directives in schools, colleges, coaching centers, and hostels:
Uniform Mental Health Policy: All educational institutions must adopt a standard mental health policy.
Counsellor Appointment: Qualified counsellors must be appointed in institutions with over 100 students.
No Batch Segregation: Performance-based batch segregation and public shaming are now strictly prohibited.
Suicide Helpline Visibility: Suicide helpline numbers (e.g., Tele-MANAS) must be prominently displayed in classrooms, hostels, and on institutional websites.
Staff Training: Mandatory mental health training for both teaching and non-teaching staff, twice annually.
Redressal Mechanisms: Institutions must create mechanisms for addressing bullying, harassment, and caste/gender-based discrimination.
Safer Hostel Infrastructure: Hostels must have tamper-proof fans and controlled rooftop access to prevent suicide attempts.
Career Counselling: Institutions must provide regular career counselling sessions for both students and parents.
Annual Mental Wellness Reports: All institutions must submit yearly mental health reports to regulators such as UGC and CBSE.
District Monitoring Committees: District-level oversight committees under District Magistrates will be formed.
Regulation of Private Coaching Centres: States are mandated to notify specific rules regulating coaching centers within two months.
THE CRISIS WE CAN NO LONGER IGNORE
India’s student suicide crisis has reached alarming levels:
13,044 student suicides were reported in 2022, equating to 36 suicides a day.
2,248 of these were linked directly to exam failure.
There has been a 92–99% increase in student suicides in the past decade.
The Triggering Case: A Student’s Death and a Father’s Fight for Justice
The ruling was prompted by the tragic case of a 17-year-old NEET aspirant who allegedly fell from her hostel building in Visakhapatnam (2023). Her father, citing “medical negligence, evidence tampering, and a flawed police probe,” demanded a CBI investigation. The Supreme Court ordered a case transfer on 25 July 2025, calling it a “critical reminder for institutions on student safety and accountability.”
“This is not just a legal precedent—it’s a wake-up call for educational institutions across India.”
WHY THIS MATTERS
With growing academic pressures, toxic competition, and lack of institutional support, students in India are facing unprecedented mental health challenges. This Supreme Court directive aims to create a safer, more inclusive educational environment nationwide.
