The survey, conducted by the students’ council, received 1,035 responses
The survey, conducted by the students’ council, received 1,035 responses. It revealed 80% of the respondents attributed their distress to their financial situation. Almost half of them, or 46%, said disruptions in the supply of basic amenities significantly contributed to their distress. As many as 47% said psychiatric support on campus is inadequate, while 84% called for more awareness and accessibility of existing mental health support, and 85% said reimbursement for external mental health support should be increased. Meanwhile, PhD fellowships have remained frozen at Rs 37,000 since 2023-24, even as monthly mess bills are projected to rise from around Rs 6,000-7,000 to Rs 10,000-11,000. Students claim that this cycle has repeated since 2021.
Half of the respondents said mandatory academic workload causes significant distress. When TOI spoke to IISc students across streams, they said campus spaces that once provided opportunities to socialise have steadily shrunk. Students also said security personnel now restrict informal gatherings in some common areas. A PhD student said: “Since our schedule is packed, we can’t plan completely and pay and go. Students said this leaves them with shrinking real incomes as costs of living rise. They also questioned the institute’s response to student suicides, saying administrative messages often urge students to “stay positive” and “talk to people,” but they are not followed by sufficient policy changes.
Bengaluru: Following the suicide deaths of two Indian Institute of Science (IISc) students in Aug, a campus-wide survey has found students seeking policy changes, greater financial support, and a stronger role in mental health decisions, amid concerns over academic pressure and shrinking spaces to unwind. A once-open ground has been converted into a bookable, partly-commercialised stadium, while the swimming pool has been drained, citing water scarcity. We used to randomly run to the playground and play. But now, even outsiders can book the stadium. What are we supposed to do to de-stress? Students also pointed to what they described as a toxic work culture in some laboratories and rigid attendance policies, saying even genuine medical or mental health leave can become a prolonged process of seeking approval.
Recently, a 20-year-old was on treatment under a therapist at the wellness centre. Urgent Needs for Betterment of Mental Health Improving work environment for students: 74% Greater financial assistance: 68% Student-friendly attendance policy & academic workload: 64% Greater student participation in decision-making: 54% Greater awareness, accessibility & transparency in mental health support: 50% Source: Student Opinion on Mental Health Survey You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news. A PG student added: “Scholarships have been almost completely withdrawn, and how am I supposed to continue after some time? I guess he had a scheduled session, but before that, he hanged himself. This seriously makes us question the services at the wellness centre. If it’s good, how did this happen? Download the TOI App.
Undergraduate tuition has increased eight-fold, from Rs 10,000 a year to Rs 80,000 for the 2026 batch onwards. This has been accompanied by rising mess and amenity charges, with the amenities component alone increasing from around Rs 2,000-2,500 to Rs 3,500. Students expect another 50% hike next year.
Financial stress, they alleged, has compounded these concerns.