A 20-year-old second-year student was found dead at National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra, sparking protests from students over alleged administrative negligence.
The student, from Bihar's Buxar district, was the third to die by suspected suicide at the institute this month, prompting calls for a comprehensive inquiry, improved counselling services and stronger crisis-response mechanisms.
Protesting students alleged delays in response from authorities, citing academic pressure, financial stress and family expectations as key factors contributing to the student's death.
NIT-Kurukshetra has announced 'preparatory holidays' from April 17 to May 4, but students questioned the move, noting that classes scheduled until April 22 were cancelled despite incomplete syllabus coverage.
The recent incidents have prompted scrutiny of student support systems alongside governance and institutional functioning, with a three-member review committee set up by the Union education ministry expected to visit the institute next week.
Concerns over student mental health have been growing, with the Supreme Court setting up a National Task Force on student suicides in March 2025 and issuing interim directions requiring institutions to report all unnatural deaths and refrain from penalising students over scholarship delays.
