What steps have you taken to prevent rising student suicides? SC seeks report from states

During Monday’s hearing, the court was informed that the July judgment had ordered the central government to file a compliance affidavit within 90 days. Following this, the bench directed all states and union territories to be impleaded as respondents in the case and asked them to file their replies within eight weeks.

New Delhi: On Monday, the Supreme Court asked all states and union territories to report within eight weeks on the implementation of the court's guidelines for addressing mental health issues and suicides among students.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta also directed the central government to file a compliance affidavit within eight weeks, detailing the steps taken to implement these guidelines.

This case relates to the Supreme Court's July 25 judgment, in which the Supreme Court directed states and union territories to notify rules regarding mandatory registration for private coaching institutes, student safety standards, and a grievance redressal system within two months.

The next hearing in the case will be in January 2026.

During Monday's hearing, the court was informed that the July judgment had ordered the central government to file a compliance affidavit within 90 days. Following this, the bench directed all states and union territories to be impleaded as respondents in the case and asked them to file their replies within eight weeks. The next hearing in the case will be in January 2026.

Supreme Court Strict on Rising Student Suicides
Taking serious note of the rising student suicides, the Supreme Court issued comprehensive guidelines to address the mental health crisis across the country. The court stated that there was no unified and enforceable legal framework for suicide prevention involving students, educational institutions, and coaching centers in the country, creating a "legislative and regulatory vacuum."

In light of these circumstances, the court issued 15 guidelines and stated that these guidelines would remain effective and binding until the competent authority enacts a bill or regulatory framework.

The Supreme Court mandated that all educational institutions adopt and implement a uniform mental health policy. This policy could be inspired by the "Umeed" (Understand, Motivate, Manage, Empathise, Empower, Develop) draft guidelines, the "Manodarpan" initiative, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy. The court also stated that the policy should be reviewed annually and made publicly available on the institution's website and notice board.

The bench also noted that the central government has taken several steps to prevent and improve student suicide rates. The Ministry of Education issued the "Umeed" guidelines at the school level in 2023. Furthermore, the "Manodarpan" program was launched to address the mental health and well-being of students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The July 25 decision came on a petition challenging the Andhra Pradesh High Court order that rejected a plea seeking to transfer the investigation into the suspicious death of a 17-year-old NEET aspirant in Visakhapatnam to the CBI.