The Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday (October 13, 2026) that it has formed a three-member committee to examine the death of a student at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Ranchi. The committee will be headed by Prof. Rajni Abbi, director of Delhi University’s South Campus, along with a senior psychiatrist and a senior officer from the Ministry.

The Indian Institute of Information Technology Ranchi (IIIT Ranchi) is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) institute established under the PPP model.

“The Committee has been mandated to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and assess the implementation of the Guidelines, with particular reference to the availability and functioning of basic facilities, institutional support systems, counselling and mentoring arrangements, and student grievance redressal mechanisms,” the Ministry said. “It will identify any systemic gaps and recommend appropriate measures to strengthen student well-being and help prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The Committee shall interact with stakeholders and examine relevant records and documents as required.”

“The Ministry added that it is undertaking suitable interim administrative arrangements to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of the Institute, with due regard to the interests and well-being of the students.”

A first-year student of the IIIT Ranchi was found dead in his hostel room late on Saturday (October 10, 2026), leading to a chaotic situation on campus and the intervention of the police. The student was from Bihar’s Bhagalpur district, police said on Sunday (October 11, 2026).

The cause of the student’s death remains to be ascertained.

Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers:

The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who died by suicide earlier this month, staged a hunger strike at Azad Maidan on Monday (September 28, 2026) demanding the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, who has been named in the FIR registered in connection with their son’s death.

Ravindra and Sonali Wakode began their protest at 10 a.m. and continued until around 6.30 p.m. They have now sought permission from the Azad Maidan police to resume their agitation from 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

In a handwritten application submitted to the senior police inspector of Azad Maidan police station on Monday (September 28, 2026), advocate Nikhil Kamble, representing the family, sought permission for Ravindra Wakode to continue the protest on September 29, demanding justice for Sahil and Doolla’s arrest.

The family also questioned IIT Bombay’s internal inquiry into Sahil’s death, alleging that none of the members of the institute-appointed committee has contacted them so far.

IIT Bombay constituted a 10-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sahil’s death. The panel, which was initially given a week to complete its inquiry, has since been granted a one-week extension. A section of students has also raised objections to the composition of the committee and sought its reconstitution.

Sahil, a second-year BTech student in IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering, died by suicide in his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was allegedly found with a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination. Doolla was the course instructor and was invigilating the examination.

Following Sahil’s death, his parents alleged that he had faced caste-based discrimination and harassment at the institute. Police subsequently registered an FIR against Doolla containing allegations of abetment to suicide and offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The allegations are under investigation.

IIT Bombay has meanwhile relieved Doolla of his administrative responsibilities and sent him on leave pending the inquiries. The Mumbai Police Crime Branch, which is investigating the case, has been recording statements and examining CCTV footage and other digital evidence.

Monday’s agitation was not the family’s first protest at Azad Maidan. The Wakodes had staged a hunger strike there last week after they were prevented from protesting outside the IIT Bombay campus. They had temporarily called off that agitation while warning that they would resume it if no arrest was made.