Education Ministry Forms Panel on IIIT Ranchi Student’s Death

The Ministry of Education has formed a three-member committee to examine the death of a first-year student at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Ranchi and review student-welfare arrangements at the institute. The announcement followed protests by students over the response to the incident and conditions on campus. The ministry said the committee will be chaired by Rajni Abbi, director of the University of Delhi’s South Campus, and include a senior psychiatrist and a senior ministry officer. Its remit covers the circumstances surrounding the student’s death and the implementation of guidelines on basic facilities, institutional support, counselling and mentoring, and grievance redressal. According to the ministry, the panel will examine records, consult stakeholders, identify any systemic gaps and recommend measures to strengthen student wellbeing. The ministry also said it is making interim administrative arrangements to support the institute’s functioning and students’ welfare.