SC orders formation of task force to address increasing student suicides

The Supreme Court of India has taken a significant step to address the growing concern of student suicides across educational institutions. On Monday, the court ordered the formation of a national task force to examine the issues leading to student suicides and recommend policies to prevent such incidents, as per reports. 

Key highlights–

- The task force will be led by former Supreme Court judge Justice S Ravindra Bhat.

- Representatives from various ministries, including education, social welfare, women and child development, and law and justice, will be part of the task force.

According to reports, there has been a drastic rise in student suicides, with over 12,000+ cases reported in 2020 and 13,000+ in 2021. The court observed that male students account for 57% of total suicides, while female students and transgenders make up the remaining percentage, with a 79% increase in female student suicides from 2001 to 2021.

Some reported reasons behind student suicides–

- Academic distress

- Forced career choices

- Lack of support from institutions

- Ragging

- Bullying

- Discrimination

The task force aims to identify the root causes of student suicides, analyse existing laws, and recommend changes to prevent such incidents in educational institutions.

Task force's objective–

- Identify root causes of student suicides

- Analyse existing laws

- Recommend changes to prevent student suicides in educational institutions