IIT Guwahati student suicides 2024: Should the strict 75% attendance policy be revisited?

IIT Guwahati has been rocked by two student suicides in just one month, prompting debates over the institute’s stringent 75% attendance policy. The latest incident involved Bimlesh Kumar, a third-year B.Tech student, found dead in his hostel room. This follows the death of Soumya, a female M.Tech student, who was found hanging in her room in August.

Reportedly, both the students faced academic pressure linked to strict attendance requirements.
A student, in an interview with IANS, pointed out the problem of academic pressure, revealing that many students had failed due to low attendance, even though they had excelled in their exams. IANS has quoted him saying,”In our batch, at least 200 students failed due to low attendance. This is unacceptable. One or two students might have done something wrong, but such a huge number cannot be at fault.”
Following massive protests against these suicides, the dean of IIT Guwahati Professor Kanduru V. Krishna resigned today. The professor, an IIT Delhi alumnus with a Ph.D. in General Algebra and Theoretical Computer Science, had come under scrutiny due to the institution’s stringent academic policies. His resignation adds another layer to the ongoing protests given the fact that students have accused the institute of fostering a “toxic environment” due to rigorous policies. Protests have erupted demanding accountability and reforms, highlighting cases where students, despite performing well, failed due to low attendance.
IIT Guwahati: Attendance Policy and Possible Consequences

IIT Guwahati enforces a minimum

75% attendance rule

across all courses. Failure to meet this requirement means a mandatory extension of the course into the next semester.
Well, the consequences of failing to meet the 75% attendance requirement can be severe for students. The most immediate repercussion is the inability to sit for exams, which often means a delay in their academic progress. For many students, particularly those in their final year or those preparing for competitive exams, this can be a significant setback.

Students who are forced to repeat courses or semesters may also face financial burdens. Tuition fees, accommodation costs, and the stigma of being held back can weigh heavily on students and their families. Furthermore, the stress of trying to maintain attendance while juggling other academic and personal responsibilities can have a detrimental effect on mental health, leading to increased anxiety, burnout, and in extreme cases, depression.
In some instances, students attend classes merely to fulfill the attendance requirement rather than to engage with the material. This leads to a rote participation mentality, where the focus shifts from understanding the subject matter to simply being physically present in the class. In the long run, this can detract from the quality of education and the development of critical thinking skills.
Call for Reforms in Attendance Norms: Delhi High Court’s Recent Order
The Delhi High Court recently called for a review of the 75% attendance requirement, observing that mandatory attendance can negatively impact students’ mental health. It suggested the need for a uniform framework across institutions and stressed the importance of consulting both students and teachers to establish reasonable attendance norms.
The court has called for a wider consultation to re-evaluate the necessity of mandatory attendance requirements, seeking inputs from the government, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. The debate continues on whether IIT Guwahati and other Indian institutions should adopt a more flexible approach to attendance to better support student mental health and academic success.
Reevaluating Attendance for Student Well-being
There is growing support for revisiting the policy to adopt a more compassionate approach. Many advocate for flexibility, especially for students facing genuine difficulties. The call for reform also aligns with global trends where educational institutions are shifting towards more holistic and supportive systems. Revisiting the 75% attendance requirement could help reduce stress and prevent extreme measures, such as suicides, fostering a more inclusive and nurturing environment. With mental health concerns on the rise, it’s crucial to find a middle ground that values both academic rigor and the overall well-being of students.
Attendance Norms Across Various Indian Universities
Universities across India have varied attendance norms. At the University of Mumbai, students must maintain a 75% overall average attendance and 50% minimum for each subject, with 75% required for lectures, practicals, and tutorials. Absences due to sports or cultural activities can earn full credit.
The University of Delhi, on the other hand, allocates marks based on attendance within Continuous Assessment, ranging from 1 mark for 67-70% to 5 marks for over 85%. MBBS students face stricter rules, needing 75% attendance in theory and 80% in practicals, with no allowances for supplementary exams or grace marks.