New Delhi: The Union Education Ministry has ordered corrective measures to improve campus governance and student well-being at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kurukshetra following a high-level review on Tuesday. The review came as senior professor Brahmjit Singh was appointed officiating director after the resignation of director B V Ramana Reddy was accepted.
These developments occur against the backdrop of four student suicides reported on the campus in the past two months, including three in April. The death of a 20-year-old second-year student on April 16 triggered protests, with students alleging negligence and demanding a probe. Following the unrest, authorities suspended academic activities and asked students to vacate hostels, though select batches have been asked to return from May 9.
Review and Immediate Measures
The review, chaired by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, examined the academic environment, campus life, and hostel management. It flagged urgent steps needed to strengthen student engagement, faculty accountability, and overall institutional culture.
Immediate measures include hostel upgrades, structured faculty training on mentoring and student well-being, and the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to institutionalize student engagement. In a related move, the institute has suspended joint registrar Gyana Ranjan Samantaray after a central team visited the campus. The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter, seeking reports from the institute and district authorities.
Leadership Change
Officials stated that the leadership change follows the Union Education Ministry's decision to withdraw Reddy's administrative and financial powers. The appointment of Professor Brahmjit Singh as officiating director is expected to bring stability and focus on implementing the recommended reforms.
