IIT Kharagpur Student Death: Fourth Campus Tragedy This Year as Ritam Mondal Found Dead in Hostel

The hallowed corridors of IIT Kharagpur are shrouded in grief after 21-year-old Ritam Mondal was found dead in his hostel room on July 18, 2025—marking the fourth student death on campus this year. The mechanical engineering student’s body was discovered just days after he returned from summer break, sending shockwaves through India’s premier technical institute and igniting urgent conversations about student mental health in elite institutions.

Ritam Mondal’s Final Days: A Timeline of Tragedy

Ritam Mondal, a fourth-year dual-degree student in mechanical engineering, had only resumed classes three days before the incident. According to campus authorities, hostel staff entered his room after his father, Uttam Mondal, grew alarmed when repeated phone calls went unanswered. Initial police investigations suggest suicide, with West Midnapore SP stating, “Prima facie evidence points to death by hanging. We await the autopsy report from Midnapore Medical College Hospital for conclusive findings.”

The timing underscores a disturbing pattern—Mondal’s death follows three other student suicides at IIT-KGP since January 2025. Campus security logs confirm he was last seen entering his hostel on Thursday evening. Friends describe him as “quiet but brilliant,” with no outward signs of distress. The institute has launched an internal review while cooperating with police.

Who Was Ritam Mondal? Promise Unfulfilled

Ritam Mondal’s journey epitomized academic excellence. Hailing from a middle-class family in Kolkata, he cracked the intensely competitive JEE Advanced in 2022 to secure admission to IIT-KGP’s prestigious BTech-MTech dual program. Classmates recall a “focused, soft-spoken” scholar with keen interests in machine learning, quant finance, and AI—fields he actively discussed on coding forums.

His LinkedIn profile, now memorialized, reveals internships at two Kolkata-based tech startups and coursework emphasizing data science applications in mechanical systems. “He’d stay up debugging algorithms but always shared notes before exams,” a friend shared anonymously, reflecting the communal shock. Ritam’s family, including his father who alerted authorities, remains inconsolable, with relatives requesting privacy during the mourning period.

Campus in Crisis: Mental Health Emergency at Elite Institutes

IIT-Kharagpur Director Prof. Suman Chakraborty acknowledged the crisis in a somber statement: “Our hearts break for Ritam’s family. We’re reviewing support systems to prevent such tragedies.” Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) shows student suicides surged 27% nationally between 2021-2023, with IITs and NITs reporting disproportionately high rates.

Mental health experts attribute this to academic pressure, isolation, and inadequate counseling. Dr. Ananya Reddy, a psychologist specializing in student wellness, notes, “Elite institutions often prioritize rankings over emotional well-being. Students face immense shame seeking help.” IIT-KGP’s counseling center—staffed by just eight professionals for 15,000 students—admits to “resource gaps” amid rising cases.

Systemic Failures and Student Anger

Student unions have organized vigils and protests demanding action. “Four deaths in seven months isn’t a coincidence—it’s institutional failure,” says Rohan Mehta, a campus activist. A 2024 internal survey revealed 68% of IIT-KGP students reported chronic anxiety, yet only 12% utilized counseling services, citing stigma and long wait times.

The institute recently partnered with telehealth platform Manas to offer 24/7 therapy, but students criticize its delayed rollout. Meanwhile, alumni networks are crowdfunding mental health initiatives, echoing demands for curriculum reforms and faculty mental-health training.

The death of Ritam Mondal is more than a statistic—it’s a devastating indictment of how India’s top engineering institutions prioritize productivity over human lives. As candles flicker at campus memorials, administrators must transform grief into systemic change: hire counselors, normalize mental health dialogue, and redefine success beyond grades. Until then, the specter of loss haunts every hostel corridor. If you’re struggling, reach out now—call the National Mental Health Helpline at 1800-599-0019 or text “HEAL” to 988.

Must Know

Q1: Who was Ritam Mondal from IIT Kharagpur?
A: Ritam Mondal was a 21-year-old mechanical engineering student from Kolkata in his fourth year of a dual BTech-MTech program at IIT-KGP. Described as academically gifted with interests in AI and finance, his death marks the fourth student suicide on campus in 2025.

Q2: How did Ritam Mondal die?
A: Preliminary police reports indicate suicide by hanging in his hostel room on July 18, 2025. The discovery followed concerns raised by his father after failed contact attempts. An autopsy is pending at Midnapore Medical College Hospital.

Q3: What mental health resources exist at IIT Kharagpur?
A: The institute offers an on-campus counseling center with eight professionals and recently partnered with telehealth service Manas for 24/7 support. Critics cite chronic understaffing and stigma, with students reporting weeks-long appointment waits during peak academic periods.

Q4: How many student deaths have occurred at IIT Kharagpur recently?
A: Ritam Mondal’s death is the fourth confirmed student suicide at IIT-KGP in 2025 alone, per police records. Nationally, NCRB data shows over 150 student suicides annually since 2021, with IITs/NITs disproportionately affected.

Q5: What actions is IIT Kharagpur taking after this incident?
A: The administration has pledged to review mental health protocols and expedite telehealth services. Student unions demand increased counselors, reduced academic pressure, and mandatory mental health workshops.

Q6: How can students or families access support?
A: Immediate help is available via India’s National Mental Health Helpline (1800-599-0019) or Vandrevala Foundation (1860-2662-345). IIT-KGP students can contact campus counseling at 0341-275-2100.