On the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September 2025), the NTF appeals to students, parents, faculty, institutions, and mental health professionals to participate in the surveys and share their voices.

Mandate of the Task Force

The NTF is tasked with preparing a comprehensive report that:

• Identifies major causes of student suicides, including ragging, discrimination, academic pressure, financial stress, and stigma around mental health.
• Examines systemic and institutional shortcomings impacting student well-being.
• Recommends concrete, actionable measures to improve mental health support and prevent suicides.

Background and situation

Current Situation

India has more than 60,380 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with 4.46 crore enrolled students and 16 lakh faculty members (AISHE 2022–23).
According to the NCRB’s 2022 report, 13,044 students died by suicide, accounting for 7.6% of all suicide deaths.

Task Force Activities

Institutional Visits
The NTF has visited 13 institutions across Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, engaging with students, faculty, administrators, and grievance committees. Special attention is given to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and to infrastructure and services supporting well-being. More visits are planned.

Stakeholder Consultations
The Task Force has held consultations with medical students, disability rights activists, queer students, and SC-ST students, among others. Civil society groups, NGOs, and associations have also provided submissions.

Surveys

The NTF is conducting nationwide online surveys in English and Hindi for:

• Students in HEIs
• Parents/guardians
• Faculty members
• Mental health professionals
• General public

So far, responses have been received from:

• 80,000+ students
• 10,000+ faculty
• 15,000+ parents
• 700+ mental health providers
• 8,000+ concerned citizens

The surveys are hosted at: https://ntf.education.gov.in

Directions to Regulatory Bodies

The Department of Higher Education has directed regulatory bodies including AICTE, NMC, Pharmacy Council, Nursing Council, and Bar Council to ensure compliance. Institutions must furnish details of:

• Student/faculty composition by category and quota
• Mental health services available
• Records of suicides or attempts
• Student dropouts
• Grievance redressal committees (Anti-Ragging Committee, Internal Complaints Committee, Equal Opportunity Cell, etc.)
• Challenges and measures related to student well-being

All HEIs registered under AISHE are required to complete the institutional survey by 12th September 2025.

Take the survey now: https://ntf.education.gov.in

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MV/AK

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