The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Guwahati is set to overhaul several policies in response to recent student suicides and widespread campus unrest. The new measures include changes to the attendance policy, greater flexibility in supplementary exam scheduling, and the introduction of online pre-registrations for each semester.
Background and Policy Changes:
Following the tragic suicides of three students in 2024, including two within a month, IIT-Guwahati has decided to revise its academic and administrative procedures. The institution will be working on new policies with input from student body representatives, starting after the mid-semester exams end on September 22.
- Attendance Policy: The current rule mandates a 75% attendance requirement for eligibility to sit in final exams. This has often led to students being barred from exams despite performing well in their courses. The new policy will offer more flexibility, aiming to reduce the academic pressure on students.
- Supplementary Exams: The existing policy restricts students to taking supplementary exams only during specific times, which often conflicts with internships or other commitments. The new policy will introduce more flexible scheduling options.
- Online Pre-Registration: To alleviate the stress associated with in-person registration deadlines, the institute will implement an online pre-registration system. This change aims to ease the financial and logistical burden on students, particularly those from modest backgrounds or those engaged in internships or research away from campus.
Additional Measures:
- Mental Health Counseling: The institute plans to strengthen its mental health services, including increasing the number of counselors available on campus.
- Student-Faculty Relations: Efforts will be made to improve the approachability and supportiveness of faculty members to foster a more open and supportive environment.
Context:
The recent wave of student suicides has highlighted the need for reforms. On September 9, Bimlesh Kumar, a 21-year-old BTech student, was found dead in his hostel room, marking the third such incident this year. This followed the deaths of Saumya, a 23-year-old MTech student, in August and another BTech student in April.
Student protests have led to the resignation of the Dean of Academic Affairs, although the decision on the dean’s resignation remains pending. Protesting students have also called for resignations among other faculty members, including the hostel-management in-charge.
In light of these events, other IITs, such as IIT-Delhi and IIT-Madras, have also introduced policy changes to address similar issues and improve student well-being.
Support:
For those in need of immediate support, helplines such as Aasra (Mumbai), Sneha (Chennai), and Sumaitri (Delhi) are available, among others.
The institute’s commitment to revising these policies reflects a broader trend towards addressing the mental health and academic pressures faced by students in high-pressure environments.
4o mini
