IIT Bombay is planning major changes to its hostel arrangements. The institute wants to introduce a twin-sharing model for students across all years. Right now hostel rooms are shared by two students only in the first year. Students from later years usually get single rooms. Under the new plan students of every year may live in twin-sharing rooms. The same model will be followed in all new hostels that are built in the future. This move comes amid fresh concerns over student mental health and loneliness. Read the article to know more details.
Open House Meeting With The Director
The proposed changes were discussed during an Open House meeting. The meeting was held on Monday. Director Prof Shireesh Kedare spoke with students during the session. The plan is part of wider talks inside the institute about student well-being and social isolation. The institute wants hostels to give students more peer support.
More Counselling And A New Committee
IIT Bombay has increased counselling hours at six hostels. The Wellness Centre also has more counselling hours now. Students can seek counseling from an external agency as well. The institute will pay for these sessions. Students have also been told to reach counselors through their mentors if they need support.
In the meantime the institute is consulting faculty members and experts. The aim is to find and implement more measures for student mental health. A list of steps that can be started at once is also being prepared.
These changes follow the death of Sahil Wakode. He was a 22-year-old second-year BTech student in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. He was found hanging in his hostel room on September 18, 2026 evening. This was hours after he was caught allegedly using a mobile phone to access ChatGPT during a mid-semester examination. His death led to protests by students. The students raised concerns over the handling of student welfare and academic pressure.
After the death and the protests the Board of Governors asked Prof Suryanarayana Doolla to go on leave. The Board also formed a high-level 10-member committee. The panel will examine the circumstances and events that led to Wakode’s death. It has been asked to submit its report within 10 days.
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