The Supreme Court on Friday asked IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to explain their stand on a student’s plea for transfer, saying mental well-being “cannot be treated as a side issue.” The courtroom was quiet as the two-judge bench heard the young petitioner’s request to move closer to his parents and specialised medical care.
Background
The case stems from a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution. The student, from a Scheduled Caste background, is currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Architecture programme at IIT Kharagpur. He told the court that he has been diagnosed with depression and borderline personality disorder and needs continuous treatment at AIIMS, Delhi. Since IIT Delhi does not offer architecture, he is willing to switch to an equivalent B.Tech course that matches his JEE Advanced rank.
His lawyers-Vipin Nair, Aditya Narendranath and M.B. Ramya—argued that forcing the student to remain in Kharagpur could aggravate his condition. They pointed to the Supreme Court’s own decision in Sukdeb Saha vs State of Andhra Pradesh, which held that “mental health is an integral component of the right to life under Article 21.”
Court’s Observations
During the brief hearing, Justice B.V. Nagarathna remarked, “If education is to flourish, mental health of students cannot be ignored.” Justice R. Mahadevan added that higher institutions must be “sensitive to the realities of student life, not just academics.”
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The bench acknowledged that transferring between IITs is normally difficult, but said the plea deserved a careful look because it raised a fundamental question of dignity. The judges stressed that the matter should not drag on, observing that treatment and family support could be critical for the young man’s recovery.
Decision
The court issued formal notices to IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi and AIIMS, asking them to respond before the next hearing on October 10, 2025. No final ruling was given, but the bench made it clear the institutions must explain whether a transfer or some alternative arrangement can be made so the student receives timely mental-health care.
Case Title: Student Mental Health Transfer Plea – SC Notice to IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi & AIIMS
Date of Order: 26 September 2025
Petitioner: Scheduled Caste student, IIT Kharagpur
Respondents: IIT Kharagpur, IIT Delhi, AIIMS
