Open House at IIT Delhi: Students Engage in Open Discussions and Surveys Following Suicides on Campus

IIT Delhi: The Open House, hosted at IIT Delhi saw students from both undergraduate and postgraduate departments presenting their demands for systemic changes in how the institute operates. Check details here 

IIT Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi held its second yet largest 'Open House' meeting in response to student concerns after widespread campus protests started by the fourth student's suicide this academic year. The meeting aimed to address the urgent calls for the establishment of a permanent internal committee to investigate campus suicides.

Along with this, the student body distributed a survey inquiring about the types of changes students want to see in the academic structure, as well as any experiences of discrimination based on caste or gender. Over 2000 students on campus responded to the survey. The results of this survey were presented during the meeting for consideration and action. 

Demands of IIT Delhi MTech Students 

As per the RTI data, IIT Delhi has the highest SGPA criteria for the continuation of stipend. The students highlighted that the discontinuation of stipends often results in them taking loans or dropping out of the course. They also expressed concern about the IIT Delhi placements. Around 340 students out of 560, which is 60.7%, currently on campus are stressed out about the career opportunities in MTech. 

Demands of IIT Delhi PhD Students 

PhD students requested three months for all new PhD candidates to switch their supervisors. They also raised issues regarding verbal abuse and/or unprofessional behaviour by supervisors, as well as discrimination based on identity within the lab setting. 

They advocated for holding supervisors accountable for the completion of PhDs within five years, suggesting the implementation of a faculty feedback system for supervisors. This system would ensure "mutual accountability and transparency regarding the proposed PhD timeline." 

Besides demanding an increase in the budget allocation for counselling services, the BTech students also asked the administration not to conduct more than 2 exams in a day. They have also demanded to provide at least a 2-day gap between the last teaching day and the exam.

Mandatory Open House Sessions Every 3 Months 

“A mandatory open house should be held by each department every 3 months to discuss the problems of the PhD students.” They also talked about mental health issues and insufficient facilities for research. Further, the scholars asked to extend hostel accommodation at least up to the synopsis submitted. 

Suicide Cases at IIT Delhi 

On February 15, Varad Sanjay Nerkar, a final-year MTech student died by suicide in his hostel room on campus. This was the fourth such incident at the institute. Last year, Ayush Ashna a final year BTech student from the Maths and Computing department died by suicide on July 10. 

On September 1, another student Anil Kumar from the same batch too died by suicide. On October 31, Panav Jain, another final-year BTech student of IIT-Delhi died by suicide at his residence in east Delhi’s Shahdara.

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