The Supreme Court of India has issued nine landmark directions to Central and State governments to address the growing issue of student suicides in higher education institutions (HEIs). Recognising systemic deficiencies, the Court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution, emphasizing the urgent need for administrative reform, faculty recruitment, and mental health support systems.
The Court highlighted that rapid expansion and privatization of higher education have not been matched with quality improvements. Many public universities suffer from over 50% faculty vacancies, delayed appointments of Vice-Chancellors, and weak student support mechanisms.
Among the key directives are mandatory record-keeping and tracking of student suicides, timely filling of vacant teaching and administrative posts, and strengthening institutional accountability. The judgment underlines that education policy must prioritize student well-being alongside academic excellence.
This intervention is significant for governance, as it reinforces judicial oversight in public welfare and education reform. For competitive exams, it is relevant under GS-II (Polity & Governance) and Essay topics on education reform.