Task force warns of caste gaps and mental-health crisis in India's elite institutes

The National Task Force’s interim findings reveal that over 13,600 disadvantaged students dropped out of IITs, IIMs and similar elite schools from 2018 to 2023. Although roughly 60% of the student body now comes from SC, ST or OBC communities, faculty representation from these groups remains under 8% at Institutes of National Importance, with the majority of teachers drawn from privileged backgrounds. The report connects this disparity and a hyper-competitive environment—where grades, ranks and placement offers dominate—to low academic integration, mental-health strain and suicide risk.

Surveys show 34% of respondents feel like outsiders, 15% experienced severe distress recently, and 9% reported suicidal thoughts. IIT Bombay has recently removed dean Suryanarayana Doolla after protests linked to a student suicide case, and the institute issued an apology for premature statements. The panel urges systematic mental-health screening and better training for faculty to address the crisis.