Supreme Court Mandates Implementation of Mental Health Guidelines for Educational Institutions Across India

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Monday requested all states and Union Territories to inform it within eight weeks regarding the implementation status of guidelines established for addressing mental health issues and student suicides in educational institutions.

Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, comprising the bench, also granted an eight-week period to the Centre to submit a compliance affidavit detailing actions taken to implement these guidelines.

The court was reviewing compliance with guidelines prescribed in its July 25 judgment. In that verdict, the Supreme Court had directed all states and Union Territories to, where practicable, notify rules within two months that mandate registration, student protection norms, and grievance redressal mechanisms for all private coaching centers.

During Monday's proceedings, the bench was informed that the July verdict required the Centre to file a compliance affidavit within 90 days.

The bench ordered that all states and Union Territories be included as respondents in the matter and allowed them to file their responses within eight weeks. The case has been scheduled for further hearing in January 2026.

Acknowledging the increasing suicide rates in educational institutions, the Supreme Court emphasized the importance of addressing the serious mental health crisis affecting students and issued nationwide guidelines to combat this issue.

The court noted there exists a "legislative and regulatory vacuum" in India regarding a unified, enforceable framework for suicide prevention among students in educational institutions, coaching centers, and student-focused environments.

While issuing 15 guidelines, the bench stated these would remain in force and be binding until appropriate legislation or regulatory frameworks are enacted by competent authorities.

The court mandated that all educational institutions adopt and implement a uniform mental health policy, drawing from the 'Ummeed' draft guidelines, the 'Manodarpan' initiative, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.

"This policy shall be reviewed and updated annually and made publicly accessible on institutional websites and notice boards of the institutes," the bench had declared.

The court acknowledged that the Centre had already taken several preventive measures to address the situation. At the school level, the 'Ummeed' (understand, motivate, manage, empathise, empower, and develop) draft guidelines for student suicide prevention were released by the Ministry of Education in 2023.

It also noted that for broader impact, the Ministry of Education had launched 'Manodarpan', addressing mental health and well-being of students during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

The July 25 verdict was delivered on an appeal against an Andhra Pradesh High Court order that rejected a plea to transfer the investigation into the unnatural death of a 17-year-old NEET aspirant in Vishakhapatnam to the CBI.

Helplines: Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com; TISS iCall 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm) (If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.)