New Delhi: In a landmark ruling aimed at addressing the escalating crisis of student suicides and mental health challenges in India’s educational ecosystem, the Supreme Court of India, in the case of Sukdeb Saha vs. State of Andhra Pradesh, issued 15 interim guidelines under Articles 32 and 141 of the Constitution. These directives, binding until a legislative framework is enacted, apply to all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities, coaching centers, training academies, and hostels. The Court’s decision, delivered by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, responds to the alarming rise in student suicides, which the bench described as a reflection of a “systemic failure” in the educational system.

A Disturbing Trend: Rising Student Suicides in India
The Supreme Court’s intervention comes in the wake of distressing statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report titled Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (2022). The report revealed that India recorded 1,70,924 suicides in 2022, of which 13,044 (7.6%) were students. This marks a significant increase from 5,425 student suicides in 2001, highlighting a growing mental health crisis among the youth. Alarmingly, 2,248 of these suicides were directly attributed to failure in examinations, underscoring the intense academic pressure faced by students.
The Court emphasized that the continued loss of young lives due to preventable causes—such as unattended psychological distress, academic overburden, social stigma, and institutional insensitivity—points to a deeper “structural malaise” in India’s educational ecosystem. Cities like Kota, Jaipur, Sikar, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Delhi, which attract large numbers of students for competitive exam preparation, have become epicenters of this crisis.
The Catalyst: A Tragic Case in Visakhapatnam
The Supreme Court’s guidelines were issued during the hearing of an appeal concerning the tragic death of a 17-year-old NEET aspirant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The student, who was preparing for the medical entrance exam at a coaching center and residing in a hostel, died by suicide on July 14, 2023. Her father sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into her death, which was rejected by the Andhra Pradesh High Court on February 14, 2024. The Supreme Court, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, ordered the CBI to investigate the case, further underscoring the need for systemic reforms.
Supreme Court’s 15 Interim Guidelines: A Comprehensive Approach
The Court’s 15 guidelines are designed to address the mental health crisis holistically, ensuring immediate safeguards and fostering a supportive environment for students. These measures, which complement the work of a national task force on student mental health chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ravindra S. Bhat, are as follows:
- Mandatory Mental Health Policy: All educational institutions must adopt a mental health policy aligned with national frameworks such as UMMEED, MANODARPAN, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. This policy will serve as a foundation for addressing mental health challenges systematically.
- Appointment of Qualified Counsellors: Institutions with 100 or more students must appoint at least one qualified mental health counsellor. Additionally, dedicated mentors or counselors shall be assigned to smaller batches of students, particularly during examination periods and academic transitions, to provide consistent, informal, and confidential support.
- Prohibition of Harmful Practices: The Court has prohibited practices such as batch segregation based on academic performance, public shaming, and setting unrealistic academic targets, which contribute to student distress.
- Prominent Display of Helpline Numbers: Suicide prevention helpline numbers, including Tele-MANAS and other national services, must be prominently displayed in hostels, classrooms, common areas, and on institutional websites in large, legible print.
- Mandatory Mental Health Training: All teaching and non-teaching staff must undergo biannual mental health training conducted by certified professionals. The training will focus on psychological first aid, recognizing warning signs of distress, responding to self-harm, and proper referral procedures.
- Inclusive and Non-Discriminatory Practices: Institutions must adopt inclusive mental health practices that cater to students from marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), LGBTQ+ individuals, students with disabilities, those in out-of-home care, and students affected by bereavement, trauma, or prior suicide attempts.
- Confidential Reporting Systems: Institutions must establish internal committees or designated authorities to handle complaints related to sexual harassment, ragging, and identity-based discrimination. These bodies must ensure immediate psychosocial support for affected students.
- Reducing Exam-Centric Stress: To alleviate academic pressure, institutions must promote interest-based career counselling and integrate extracurricular activities to cultivate a broader sense of identity beyond test scores and ranks.
- Sensitization Programs for Parents: Regular sensitization programs, conducted physically or online, must be organized to educate parents and guardians on student mental health.
- Integration of Mental Health Literacy: Mental health literacy, emotional regulation, life skills education, and awareness of institutional support services must be integrated into student orientation programs and co-curricular activities.
- Anonymized Wellness Records: Institutions must maintain anonymized records of wellness interventions, student referrals, training sessions, and mental health-related activities, and prepare an annual report.
- Periodic Review of Examination Patterns: Examination patterns must be periodically reviewed to reduce academic burden and foster a holistic approach to student development.
- Structured Career Counselling: All educational institutions, including coaching centers, must provide regular, structured career counselling services for students and their parents or guardians.
- Safe and Supportive Campus Environment: Residential-based institutions, including hostels, must take proactive steps to ensure campuses are free from harassment, bullying, and substance abuse.
- Written Protocols for Referrals: Institutions must establish written protocols for immediate referral to mental health services, local hospitals, and suicide prevention helplines.
Legal and Constitutional Basis
The Supreme Court invoked its powers under Article 32, which guarantees the right to constitutional remedies, and Article 141, which makes its judgments binding as law, to issue these guidelines. The Court emphasized that mental health is an integral component of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. These directives will remain in force until appropriate legislation is enacted by Parliament or state legislatures.
The bench also directed the Central Government to file a compliance affidavit within 90 days, detailing the implementation of these guidelines and the expected timeline for the national task force’s report and recommendations.
A Systemic Failure: The Court’s Observations
The Supreme Court described the rising number of student suicides as a “deeply distressing picture” of the mental health landscape among India’s youth. The bench noted that the loss of young lives due to preventable causes reflects a systemic failure that cannot be ignored. The Court highlighted the need for institutional safeguards to protect students from psychological distress, academic pressure, and lack of support.
The guidelines address the specific challenges faced by students in high-pressure environments, particularly in cities known for competitive exam coaching. The Court acknowledged the work of the national task force on student mental health, indicating that its guidelines are intended to complement ongoing efforts to address this crisis.
Implications and Next Steps
The Supreme Court’s ruling marks a significant step toward addressing the mental health crisis in India’s educational institutions. By mandating comprehensive reforms, the Court aims to create a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritizes student well-being. The guidelines also underscore the importance of addressing systemic issues such as academic pressure, social stigma, and institutional insensitivity.
Educational institutions across the country are now tasked with implementing these measures promptly. The involvement of the CBI in investigating the Visakhapatnam case further highlights the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring accountability and justice in cases of student suicides.
As India grapples with this growing crisis, the Supreme Court’s guidelines offer a roadmap for creating a safer and more supportive educational ecosystem. The emphasis on mental health training, inclusive practices, and proactive interventions signals a shift toward a more holistic approach to education, one that values students’ well-being as much as their academic achievements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What prompted the Supreme Court to issue guidelines on student suicides and mental health?
The Supreme Court issued 15 interim guidelines in response to the alarming rise in student suicides, as highlighted by the 2022 National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, which recorded 13,044 student suicides (7.6% of total suicides), with 2,248 directly linked to exam failures. The ruling in Sukdeb Saha vs. State of Andhra Pradesh was triggered by the suicide of a 17-year-old NEET aspirant in Visakhapatnam, prompting the Court to address the “systemic failure” in India’s educational ecosystem.
2. Which institutions are covered under the Supreme Court’s guidelines?
The guidelines apply to all educational institutions in India, including schools, colleges, universities, coaching centers, training academies, and hostels. They aim to ensure a uniform approach to addressing mental health and preventing suicides across diverse educational settings.
3. What are some key measures mandated by the Supreme Court to address student mental health?
Key measures include:
- Mandatory mental health policies aligned with national frameworks like UMMEED and MANODARPAN.
- Appointment of at least one qualified mental health counsellor for institutions with 100 or more students.
- Biannual mental health training for all staff on crisis response and warning signs.
- Prohibition of practices like batch segregation, public shaming, and unrealistic academic targets.
- Display of suicide helpline numbers like Tele-MANAS in prominent locations.
Establishment of confidential reporting systems for issues like sexual harassment and ragging.
4. How do the guidelines ensure inclusivity for marginalized students?
The Supreme Court mandates that institutions adopt non-discriminatory mental health practices for students from marginalized groups, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), LGBTQ+ individuals, students with disabilities, and those affected by trauma or prior suicide attempts. Staff must be trained to engage sensitively with these students, and institutions must provide immediate psychosocial support for issues like identity-based discrimination.
5. Are these guidelines legally binding, and how long will they remain in effect?
Yes, the guidelines are legally binding under Article 141 of the Constitution, as issued by the Supreme Court using its powers under Article 32. They will remain in force until appropriate legislation is enacted by Parliament or state legislatures. The Central Government has been directed to file a compliance affidavit within 90 days, detailing implementation and the timeline for the national task force’s recommendations on student mental health.