Students protest outside a hostel after a first-year student of the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) was found dead in Ranch, on October 11, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
A first-year student at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) campus in Ranchi, Jharkhand, was found dead in his hostel room late on October 10. According to the police, the student was from Bhagalpur in Bihar.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Education said that it has constituted a three-member committee to examine the circumstances surrounding the student’s demise. The committee will be headed by Prof. Rajni Abbi, director of the South Campus at the University of Delhi and include a senior psychiatrist and an officer from the MoE as members.
IIIT Ranchi is a public private partnership institute established under the PPP model, the MoE stated.
“The Committee has been mandated to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and assess the implementation of the guidelines, with particular reference to the availability and functioning of basic facilities, institutional support systems, counselling and mentoring arrangements, and student grievance redressal mechanisms,” MoE said in its statement.
“It will identify any systemic gaps and recommend appropriate measures to strengthen student well-being and help prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The committee shall interact with stakeholders and examine relevant records and documents as required,” the statement added.
“The Ministry is making interim administrative arrangements to ensure smooth functioning of the institute, keeping the interests of students in mind,” the MoE added.
The incident came to light around 11.30 p.m. on October 10 after the student’s friends — worried that he was not opening his hostel room door — broke it down and found him unresponsive. They rushed him to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Chaotic scenes
As news of the death spread across the campus chaotic scenes were witnessed as agitated students demonstrated. The police were subsequently deployed to control the situation.
The cause of death is yet to be ascertained. Police are likely to question other students living in the hostel to gather more information about the incident.
Students alleged that the institute’s director was responsible for poor management of the hostel and demanded his removal. Protesting students blocked the Khelgaon-Tatisilwai road which caused traffic snarls on both sides.
The students alleged that the institute lacked basic amenities and accused the management of failing to take their issues seriously. They also raised questions about the availability of emergency medical facilities, like ambulances and oxygen.
Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers:
Published – October 13, 2026 03:37 pm IST
