RTI data: 1 counsellor for 4,750 students at IIT BHU, only IIT Ropar meets UGC norm
By TUF News Desk · Published 30 October 2026 · 3 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Two professional counsellors serve more than 9,500 students at the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) in Varanasi. That works out to one counsellor for every 4,750 students, almost ten times the student load the University Grants Commission suggests for each mental health professional.
The figures come from replies to Right to Information requests filed by Pranav Jeevan, a former IIT Bombay student. Seven IITs replied: Kharagpur, Roorkee, BHU Varanasi, Jodhpur, Patna, Ropar and Tirupati. The Hindu reported the replies on October 26, and Careers360 separately analysed the same responses.
The UGC’s guidelines on mental health and wellbeing in higher education institutions suggest one mental health professional or psychologist for every 500 students. A draft uniform mental health policy issued by the UGC in January 2026 carried the same suggested ratio.
Where the gap is widest
At IIT Kharagpur, the reply listed 12 regular counsellors and one psychiatrist on contract for a student population of over 14,000, a ratio of about one counsellor for every 1,136 students. The institute reported a budget of Rs 91 lakh for counselling support in the 2025-26 academic year.
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee reported eight counsellors at its wellness centre for 10,500 students, giving a ratio of one for every 1,317. IIT Patna reported two counsellors for about 4,000 students. IIT Jodhpur reported six counsellors and psychiatrists for about 4,000 students, and IIT Tirupati reported three counsellors and psychologists for about 1,700 students.
The one institute that meets the norm
Indian Institute of Technology Ropar reported six counsellors and two visiting psychiatrists for about 3,000 students, a ratio of roughly one professional for every 369 students. It was the only one of the seven that met the UGC figure, according to the RTI data reported by The Hindu.
A separate check by The Hindu of IIT Delhi’s student wellness section found 12 counsellors listed for a student population of around 12,000.
Why the numbers are drawing attention now
The same replies recorded student suicides over the past five years: 10 at IIT Kharagpur, three each at IIT Roorkee and IIT BHU, and one at IIT Patna. IIT Jodhpur and IIT Tirupati reported none, and IIT Ropar’s response did not include the figure. The data surfaced as protests grew in Mumbai seeking institutional accountability after the death by suicide of Sahil Wakode, an engineering student at IIT Bombay.
The RTI requests also asked about faculty representation, and the replies showed that almost none of the seven institutes met the prescribed percentages for SC, ST, OBC and EWS faculty members.
For students weighing where to study, the gap is worth checking before admission: a wellness centre’s staffing is rarely listed in a prospectus, but it decides how long a student in difficulty waits for help. Our guide to choosing a university in India covers what else to verify beyond rankings, and the UGC’s official website carries its mental health guidelines for higher education institutions.
Anyone in distress can call Tele-MANAS on 14416 or Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline on 044-24640050.
Frequently asked questions
What counsellor ratio does the UGC suggest for universities?
The UGC’s guidelines on mental health and wellbeing in higher education institutions suggest one mental health professional or psychologist for every 500 students.
Which IIT meets the UGC counsellor norm?
Among the seven IITs that replied to the RTI requests, only IIT Ropar meets the norm, with six counsellors and two visiting psychiatrists for about 3,000 students.
Where did these counsellor figures come from?
They come from replies to Right to Information requests filed by Pranav Jeevan, a former IIT Bombay student, covering IIT Kharagpur, Roorkee, BHU Varanasi, Jodhpur, Patna, Ropar and Tirupati.
Where can a student in distress get help right now?
Tele-MANAS can be reached on 14416, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline is 044-24640050.
Frequently asked questions
What counsellor ratio does the UGC suggest for universities?
The UGC's guidelines on mental health and wellbeing in higher education institutions suggest one mental health professional or psychologist for every 500 students.
Which IIT meets the UGC counsellor norm?
Among the seven IITs that replied to the RTI requests, only IIT Ropar meets the norm, with six counsellors and two visiting psychiatrists for about 3,000 students.
Where did these counsellor figures come from?
They come from replies to Right to Information requests filed by Pranav Jeevan, a former IIT Bombay student, covering IIT Kharagpur, Roorkee, BHU Varanasi, Jodhpur, Patna, Ropar and Tirupati.
Where can a student in distress get help right now?
Tele-MANAS can be reached on 14416, and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline is 044-24640050.
Sources: The Hindu, Careers360