SC task force starts work on students' mental health, seeks views
SC-appointed task force begins work, to gather opinions on students' mental health issues
A special task force set up by the Supreme Court has started working to understand and address mental health issues among students in India. This National Task Force (NTF) will seek opinions from the public, students, parents, and experts to create a detailed report on improving mental health support in educational institutions.
Reason for Task Force formation
On March 24, 2025, the Supreme Court made an important decision after noticing the increasing number of student suicides in colleges and universities. A bench led by Justice JB Pardiwala decided to form the NTF to find ways to prevent such tragic incidents. The court also asked Delhi Police to investigate the suicide cases of two students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi in 2023.
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Task Force members and plans
The NTF is led by former Supreme Court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat. It includes experts in psychology, education, social sciences, and law. The first meeting was held on March 29, 2025, where members planned how to investigate the causes of student suicides and suggest ways to improve student mental well-being.
The task force will study current policies, analyze legal aspects, and gather insights from schools, colleges, parents, and students. It will also use public feedback to prepare a report. The team has four months to submit an interim report and eight months for a final report.
To involve the public, the task force will launch a website and social media channels. This step aims to collect suggestions and make the process more transparent. The Supreme Court hopes that by including everyone’s voice, this initiative will lead to better support systems and a safer academic environment for students across the country.
