IIT-Delhi revamps syllabus to curb suicides

New Delhi: Concerned over cases of student suicide at IITs, the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi has decided to revamp its curriculum in a way that helps them tackle study pressure effectively and keep suicidal tendency at bay.

The move comes against the backdrop of HRD ministry asking all IITs to take new initiatives, in addition to the existing measures, to stem the trend of student suicides.

The revised curriculum, which is likely to be implemented from next year, will have reduced focus on theory and students will be offered more hands-on experience.

The departments at IIT have been asked to draft a revised curriculum which will then be approved by the Governing Body, which also approved the required changes in the credit system.

“There is a constant efforts at the IITs to help students cope with stress but there are always one or two cases. All IITs are undertaking initiatives but nothing seems to be enough,” said IIT Delhi director V Ramgopal Rao.

He said that the IIT Delhi in an internal survey found that there is a mismatch between the students’ and the institution's expectations.

He also said it is important to guide students at fresher-level only, because, he said, if they start developing “coldfeet” and have “backlogs”, it becomes difficult for them to survive for another three years.