India: Third-year student at IIT Kharagpur, Devika Pillai, dies by suicide
IIT campus (Representative image)
In a heartbreaking incident, a third-year student at IIT Kharagpur Devika Pillai, known for her academic prowess, has died by suicide. Pillai, originally from the south Indian state of Kerala, was studying bioscience and biotechnology at the prestigiousinstitute.
Her body was discovered in her hostel premises of the prestigious tech institute in early hours of Monday (June 17), after which authorities notified her family. An investigation has been launched into the incident.
IIT Kharagpur has assured full cooperation with authorities to ascertain the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
“Upon discovery of the incident, the campus security and medical teams were immediately alerted. District police authorities have been informed. Her family has also been informed. The police are conducting a thorough investigation… the institute is fully cooperating with the authorities,” IIT Kharagpur said in a statement.
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IIT Kharagpur, renowned for its rigorous academic programmes and esteemed faculty, also expressed profound grief over the loss of Pillai.
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“She was General Secretary, Social and Cultural, Sarojini Naidu/Indira Gandhi Hall. She was pursuing a summer internship under a professor in-charge, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology. The institute is devastated by this tragic event,” the institute said.
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“We are in close contact with her family and are providing all necessary assistance to help them through this incredibly difficult time,” it added.
Previous incidents
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of mental health challenges among students at prestigious institutions like IITs.
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According to data obtained through a Right to Information query by an IIT Kanpur alumnus Dheeraj Singh, at least 115 students from various IITs have died by suicide since 2005.
Singh initiated the RTI application following the tragic death of IIT Bombay student Darshan Solanki last year. The data revealed that IIT Madras has recorded the highest number of such deaths, followed by IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Bombay.
In the 2025 QS world universities rankings, the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) ascended from 271st to 222nd place.
(With inputs from agencies)