IIT Bombay invites applications for 30 counsellor posts to expand student mental health support

The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) has invited applications for 30 ad hoc counsellor positions through its Student Wellness Centre (SWC), including 26 student counsellors and four senior counsellors, as the institute moves to expand mental health support for its student community. Selected candidates could join as early as Oct 15.

The recruitment drive comes after student protests over mental health support on campus following the death of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode on Sept 18. Wakode allegedly died by suicide hours after he was found using his phone during a mid-semester examination.

His death triggered widespread protests at IIT Bombay, with students questioning the adequacy of the institute's existing mental health services and raising concerns about a series of student deaths over the past year.

During the demonstrations, students submitted a list of demands to IIT Bombay Director Professor Shireesh Kedare, calling for stronger student welfare measures, including an expansion of counseling services.

Students argued that the Student Wellness Centre, with its limited number of counselors, was not adequately equipped to support nearly 14,000 students enrolled across the institute's courses and departments.

The institute has since announced several measures aimed at improving student welfare and strengthening its mental health support framework. The latest recruitment initiative is part of these efforts to increase the availability of professional counseling services and provide students with access to support for emotional, psychological, and mental health concerns.

Last week, IIT Bombay announced the appointment of an additional associate dean under the Dean of Student Affairs. The new associate dean will primarily oversee student welfare and help strengthen the institute's efforts to address student concerns.

The administration has also informed students about plans to appoint student wellness secretaries in hostels as part of a broader restructuring of the campus wellness system.

The proposed positions are intended to complement existing support mechanisms and improve the way student welfare concerns are addressed within residential facilities.

The Student Wellness Centre is one of IIT Bombay's key mental health support services. It provides counseling to undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students, with a focus on their emotional, psychological, and mental well-being.

The expansion of its counseling team is expected to increase the center's capacity to respond to the needs of students from different academic, social, and linguistic backgrounds.

According to the institute's latest recruitment advertisement, the 30 vacancies are divided into 26 student counselor positions and four senior counselor positions. The eligibility requirements vary according to the role and the level of professional experience required.

Applicants for the four senior counselor positions must have at least 10 years of relevant work experience after obtaining their qualifying degree. Candidates applying for student counselor positions must have a minimum of two years of relevant experience.

All applicants must hold a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MSc) degree in psychology, specializing in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social psychology. Candidates must have secured at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade in the qualifying degree.

The application deadline is Oct 17. Interviews are scheduled to take place between Oct 12 and 18, with selected candidates potentially joining the institute as early as Oct 15.

The recruitment schedule means that the interview process will begin before the application deadline. Candidates interested in the positions should refer to the institute's official recruitment advertisement for the application procedure, required documents, and other applicable conditions.

IIT Bombay has also stated that linguistic and gender diversity will be considered during the selection process. The institute aims to ensure that students from different social and linguistic backgrounds can access counseling and wellness services suited to their needs.

Experience working with adolescents and young adults is considered desirable for the positions. The institute has also identified experience in residential academic institutions and handling crisis cases as preferred qualifications, given the specific demands of providing mental health support in a campus environment.

Proficiency in Indian languages in addition to English and Hindi is also preferred. This requirement is intended to help counselors communicate with students from diverse linguistic backgrounds and make mental health support more accessible across the institute's student population.

The recruitment follows student demands for stronger mental health services after Wakode's death and forms part of a wider set of measures announced by the institute to address student welfare.

Alongside expanding the counseling team, IIT Bombay is planning changes to its student affairs structure and hostel-level support mechanisms.

The institute's efforts come amid broader discussions about student mental health, access to professional counseling, and the ability of higher education institutions to respond to psychological distress and crisis situations.

At IIT Bombay, the planned increase in counseling staff is intended to strengthen the Student Wellness Centre's capacity to serve a student population of nearly 14,000.