The Ministry of Education has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of first-year student Aditya Kumar at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Ranchi, amid a third consecutive day of student protests demanding accountability from the institute's administration.

Panel Composition and Mandate

The committee will be chaired by Prof Rajni Abbi, Director of the South Campus, University of Delhi, and will include a senior psychiatrist and a senior Ministry of Education official. The panel has been tasked with examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, assessing the implementation of relevant guidelines on basic facilities, institutional support systems, counselling and mentoring arrangements, and student grievance redressal mechanisms.

It will also identify systemic gaps and recommend measures to strengthen student well-being and prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The committee is authorised to interact with stakeholders and examine relevant records and documents as required.

The Ministry also stated it was making suitable interim administrative arrangements to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of the institute, keeping in view the interests and well-being of students. IIIT-Ranchi operates under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

What Happened to Aditya Kumar

Aditya Kumar, a resident of Bhagalpur district, Bihar, was found unconscious and hanging from a ceiling fan in his hostel room on Saturday, 10 October. He died while being taken to hospital. Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Students have alleged that the institute failed to respond in time to save him, claiming that emergency infrastructure — including lifts, ambulances, electricity supply, and oxygen support — was inadequate. This allegation, however, could not be independently verified.

Student Protests Enter Third Day

Students at IIIT-Ranchi continued their protest for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, gathering at the hostel premises in Khelgaon Housing Society, raising slogans against the institute management, and putting up banners and posters demanding the removal of institute Director Prof Rajeev Srivastava. They are also seeking improvements in hostel facilities, canteen food quality, hostel security, CCTV coverage, and the overall surveillance system.

Students said they pay approximately ₹4 lakh annually towards tuition fees and other charges, yet continue to face difficulties accessing basic facilities. They have warned that they will intensify their agitation if concrete action is not taken on their demands.

Board Meeting and Administration Response

On Monday, Board of Governors Chairman Lt Gen A.K. Bhatt (retd), Director Prof Srivastava, and faculty and staff members met the protesting students. The students presented their grievances and remained firm on their demand for the Director's removal. The Chairman heard their concerns and reportedly indicated that efforts would be made to reach a conclusion by Tuesday. No resolution was publicly announced as of Tuesday.

This comes amid growing national scrutiny over student mental health and campus safety infrastructure at centrally funded technical institutions. With a Ministry-constituted probe panel now in place, the focus shifts to whether its findings will prompt systemic reform or remain another procedural response.