IIT Bombay begins student welfare overhaul after suicide row

IIT Bombay is beginning a phased overhaul of its student wellness and hostel systems, with several measures already underway and others awaiting approval or student feedback.

The reforms follow the suicide of student Sahil Wakode and the protests that subsequently took place on campus. Students had called for stronger welfare and counselling mechanisms, changes in hostel facilities, greater participation in decision-making and reforms to disciplinary and academic systems.

The institute has now started acting on several of these demands, although the entire package is not being implemented at once.

As part of the restructuring, IIT Bombay has created the post of Associate Dean for Student Wellness, with Professor Deepak Marla appointed to the position. The institute is also working on appointing hostel-level student wellness secretaries to provide students with a closer and more accessible support mechanism.

The institute is identifying committees where students can have greater representation, while discussions are also underway to increase student participation at the department level. The wider rollout of the revamped wellness-support structure is expected to begin this week.

The existing Student Wellness Centre will continue to provide counselling, peer support and wellness programmes. The new measures are aimed at strengthening and restructuring the existing system rather than replacing it with an entirely new one.

Hostel reforms focus on everyday student needs

Several changes are also being planned across hostels, with student representatives, sports councillors and wardens expected to help identify suitable spaces for play areas.

The institute has tested different options for replacing hostel fans and has shortlisted alternatives. A final decision will be taken after gathering student feedback through a survey.

Mess facilities are also set for changes. IIT Bombay has completed a student survey, and its findings will inform the proposed new mess model. The institute has begun the process of re-tendering and appointing caterers.

A revised flexi-mess system has also been prepared but is still awaiting approval.

Exam schedule change not final yet

Changes to the end-semester examination schedule are also being considered, but no final decision has been taken.

An alternative examination timeline remains under review, meaning students should not treat the proposed schedule as a confirmed change yet.

The reforms are therefore moving at different speeds. While new wellness leadership, hostel-level support and several campus-facility measures are progressing, proposals requiring approval or wider student consultation remain under consideration.

For IIT Bombay, the overhaul represents an attempt to address concerns that extend beyond counselling alone — including the everyday academic, residential and institutional experience of students.