IIT Delhi to appoint student ombudsperson, hire more counsellors after inquiry
By TUF News Desk · Published 5 November 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi will appoint an independent Student Grievance Ombudsperson and recruit more counsellors, as part of a set of student welfare reforms announced on November 4. The changes follow recommendations from an external inquiry committee set up after the death of MSc student Rishikesh Kumar on August 22, 2026.
IIT Delhi shared the committee’s recommendations, its proposed follow-up actions and an implementation roadmap with students, faculty and staff on October 31. The plan was then discussed at the Student Affairs Council meeting on November 3, where student inputs were worked into a time-bound implementation plan.
The external inquiry committee was chaired by retired Delhi High Court judge Justice Mukta Gupta. It also included a senior expert from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and two student representatives. IIT Delhi said the committee directed that its report remain confidential, and that its recommendations deal mainly with systemic changes to mental health support and related institutional mechanisms.
More counsellors, and a clearer return to campus
On clinical support, the institute plans to recruit additional full-time clinical psychologists and counsellors, along with visiting psychiatrists. The aim is straightforward: students should be able to reach professional help without a long wait.
IIT Delhi will also introduce formal re-entry protocols for students coming back after an extended leave of absence. Those arrangements will include specialised counselling, academic coordination and buddy networks. A returning student should get help with both the personal side of coming back and the academic side, such as catching up on coursework, rather than being left to sort out each part separately.
An ombudsperson, and workshops for staff
The Student Grievance Ombudsperson will sit within an integrated grievance redressal mechanism. For students, the value of an independent post is that it gives them a route beyond their department or hostel when a complaint stalls. IIT Delhi has not yet named the ombudsperson or published the post’s terms.
Staff will also face a new requirement. Empathy, soft skills and mental health workshops will become mandatory for faculty members and for administrative and hostel staff. IIT Delhi will run awareness campaigns on mental health issues and on laws concerning substance use across the campus as well.
A separate review of the wellness policy
A separate external committee will review IIT Delhi’s existing Mental Health Support System and Wellness Policy. It will comprise two senior mental health experts, one welfare professional and two student representatives.
What is not yet clear is the timetable. IIT Delhi has spoken of a time-bound implementation plan, but it has not disclosed a specific timeline for completing the review or putting every measure in place. The announcement will be judged by what appears on campus in the coming months: the ombudsperson in post, the new counsellors hired, and the workshops actually held.
For applicants, the announcement is a reminder to ask about support systems before choosing an institute, alongside courses and placements. Our guide on how to choose a university in India sets out that order, with the course and department first and campus support among the factors to weigh alongside fees and location. Updates from the institute itself are available through the official IIT Delhi website.
Frequently asked questions
What is IIT Delhi’s new Student Grievance Ombudsperson?
It will be an independent post within an integrated grievance redressal system, so students have a route outside their department and hostel when a complaint is not resolved.
Will IIT Delhi hire more mental health staff?
Yes. The institute plans to recruit additional full-time clinical psychologists and counsellors, and to bring in visiting psychiatrists to widen access to professional support.
What are the re-entry protocols IIT Delhi plans to introduce?
They are formal arrangements for students returning after an extended leave, covering specialised counselling, academic coordination and buddy networks to help them settle back into coursework.
Has IIT Delhi set a date for completing these reforms?
No. The institute has described a time-bound implementation plan discussed with students, but it has not disclosed a specific timeline for completing the review or every measure.
Frequently asked questions
What is IIT Delhi's new Student Grievance Ombudsperson?
It will be an independent post within an integrated grievance redressal system, so students have a route outside their department and hostel when a complaint is not resolved.
Will IIT Delhi hire more mental health staff?
Yes. The institute plans to recruit additional full-time clinical psychologists and counsellors, and to bring in visiting psychiatrists to widen access to professional support.
What are the re-entry protocols IIT Delhi plans to introduce?
They are formal arrangements for students returning after an extended leave, covering specialised counselling, academic coordination and buddy networks to help them settle back into coursework.
Has IIT Delhi set a date for completing these reforms?
No. The institute has described a time-bound implementation plan discussed with students, but it has not disclosed a specific timeline for completing the review or every measure.
Sources: The Indian Express, The Times of India, The Tribune