IIT Delhi rolls out induction week to tackle campus stress, ensure smooth onboarding  

NEW DELHI

Amid growing concerns over student anxiety and suicides, IIT Delhi has done away with its traditional one-day orientation programme and introduced a structured induction week to help students transition smoothly into college life, officials said on Thursday.

The initiative comes in the wake of intense scrutiny around campus well-being and caste-based discrimination. At least two students died by suicide last year and three in 2023, sparking debates around the pressures of elite academic institutions. 
“We have changed the orientation programme to an induction programme so that students, coming from home, are acquainted with the IIT-Delhi environment,” said Professor B.K. Panigrahi, Dean of Student Affairs.

Faculty and field experts guide new students through academic expectations, extracurricular opportunities, and the broader campus culture. Sessions on inclusivity, diversity, and mental health awareness have also been added.

Students are introduced to available support systems, including on-campus counsellors, whose number has been increased from eight last year to 14 this year.

Mental well-being

“Much of the stress that students are dealing with comes because the transition from school to college is not as smooth,” Dean of Academics Narayanan Karur told The Hindu. He said that while some sessions are led by faculty, others are conducted by mental health professionals and experts.

The new batch started college on July 21. After the induction week, students completed their documentation and officially began classes on Thursday.

Departments across the institute are also holding mental health awareness sessions for students, faculty, and staff. Counsellors are now available on placement days as well, offering real-time support to help students manage anxiety and perform under pressure, officials said.

“This initiative aims to help students manage anxiety, cope with the pressures of the day, and perform their best during the placement process,” the institute said in a statement.

The officials noted that since October 2023, the institute has also partnered with several hospitals to provide additional psychiatric and psychological support.