A 21-year-old student at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, who had been seeking counselling for depression, died by suicide on campus on 4 February, prompting renewed focus on mental health support for students at elite institutions.

second-year engineering student at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) was found dead on campus early on 4 February, in what police and institute officials have described as a suicide.

The student, aged 21, reportedly jumped from the ninth-floor terrace of a hostel building in the Powai residential complex, according to Mumbai Police and multiple news outlets.

Police were alerted around 1.30 am, when security personnel discovered the student’s body at the base of the hostel structure. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead. Officers have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR); no external injuries suggesting foul play were noted at the time of the initial inquiry.

The incident sent shockwaves through the IIT-B community, where peers and faculty described him as academically capable and quietly determined. “He always seemed focused,” one classmate told reporters, “but you never really know what someone is thinking on the inside.”

Officials Confirm Inquiry, No Foul Play So Far

Mumbai Police confirmed that there were no signs of struggle or third-party involvement. Officers are examining CCTV footage from the hostel corridors and terrace, and have taken statements from students who lived on the same floor. A short handwritten entry reportedly found among his belongings-containing phrases like “world is not for me”-is being reviewed as part of the investigation.

An IIT-Bombay spokesperson issued a statement expressing “deep sorrow” at the student’s death and emphasised that the institute is cooperating fully with authorities.

“We are committed to the wellbeing of all students and have reached out to family members to offer assistance during this extremely difficult time,” the statement said, adding that support services have been made available to the student community.

Officials reiterated that while the inquiry is ongoing, “preliminary evidence” does not suggest any criminal involvement. The student’s parents, who were reportedly unaware that he had been struggling with depression, travelled to Mumbai after receiving the news.

Family, Friends Recall Sudden Struggles

Relatives told reporters that the family had not known the extent of the student’s emotional distress. His father’s health and concerns about the future were cited by kin as things he often spoke about, according to a family member. The father reportedly expressed shock at the news and said he had no indication his son was contemplating self-harm.

“His parents and siblings are devastated,” said a relative who declined to be named. “He seemed fine when we spoke to him last, but in hindsight maybe he needed more support than we realised.”

Friends said he had visited the institute’s Student Wellness Centre several times in the weeks before his death, a fact that surprised many peers because he had not openly discussed feeling overwhelmed. Some said he appeared withdrawn in the final days leading up to the incident.

Students have held small vigils on campus, laying flowers and messages in memory of their classmate. “It’s heartbreaking,” another peer said. “We always think someone will reach out if they’re hurting, but no one expected this.”

Campus Counselling and Institutional Responsibility

IIT-Bombay, like many premier institutions in India, provides mental health and counselling services to its students. In the statement following the incident, officials said the counselling centre is available “round the clock” and urged students to seek help if they feel distressed.

However, advocates for student wellbeing argue that access alone is insufficient. “We need proactive mental health awareness programmes, peer support networks, and regular check-ins, especially in high-pressure environments such as IITs,” said an education psychologist who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“Merely having a counselling centre is not enough if students don’t feel safe or encouraged to walk through its doors.”

Similar concerns have been raised in the past after high-profile cases of student suicides at other Indian institutions, where intense academic stress and societal expectations have been linked to poor mental health outcomes.

Experts say that while counselling services are crucial, a broader culture of openness and support is equally important.

National Discussion on Student Mental Health

The death of a young student at one of India’s most competitive academic institutions has once again triggered public discourse about mental health resources across schools and universities.

Educators, mental health professionals, and policymakers have reiterated the need for early intervention and sensitisation programmes as part of curricular and extracurricular activities.

Civil society organisations say that stigma around psychological struggles often prevents students from seeking help until it is too late. “Young adults may fear judgement from peers or worry about appearing weak,” said a counsellor who works with students nationally. “Institutions must create environments where vulnerability is not seen as failure.”

Calls have also grown for improved training of faculty and staff to recognise signs of distress, and for increased funding for mental health initiatives on campuses nationwide.

Supporters of this approach argue that prevention and early support can save lives and enrich the educational experience for all students.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

At The Logical Indian, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community mourning the loss of a young life full of potential.

This tragedy is a painful reminder that achievements and opportunities alone cannot shield individuals from the silent struggle of emotional distress.

We believe that educational excellence must go hand-in-hand with emotional wellbeing. Institutions, families, and peers must foster environments where speaking about mental health is encouraged rather than stigmatised, and where support systems are proactive rather than reactive.