Mumbai, Dec. 21 -- Sixty-five suicides were reported across Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) nationwide between 2021 and 2025, revealed data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) query. IIT Kharagpur recorded the highest number of suicides at 11, and of the 65 students who died by suicide, 54 were male. The RTI was filed by Dheeraj Singh, an IIT Kanpur alumnus who runs a global mentoring network for IIT students. The issue became concerning after a first-year student at IIT Bombay died in February 2023. "At least 150 students have died by suicide on IIT campuses in the last 20 years. Suicides are only the visible part of the mental health crisis," said Singh. "As per WHO data, for every suicide, more than 20 others make a suicide attempt. The actual crisis is, therefore, much larger, which is why government should treat suicides in these premier colleges as an urgent public health issue." Singh noted that while students from all backgrounds are affected, marginalised students, about one-fifth of the IIT population, bear twice the burden. However, institutions have begun taking measures to help their students. IIT Kharagpur appointed a special chief of staff to focus on student wellbeing. Abhrajit Saha, who has been in the role since September, said the institute now has 11 full-time psychologists on campus, a dean of wellness, and trained student volunteers under the SETU programme....