Campus Crisis: Fourth PhD Student Suicide at IIT Kanpur in a Year

A 28-year-old PhD student at IIT Kanpur, Pragati Kharya, tragically ended her life, marking the fourth such incident within a year. Authorities found her body hanging in her hostel room and discovered a suicide note. Investigations continue to determine the cause of this alarming trend.

A tragic incident unfolded at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, where a 28-year-old PhD student, Pragati Kharya, was found dead, reportedly by suicide. This marks the fourth such case on the campus in the past year, raising concerns about mental health support for students.

The discovery was made on Thursday noon after Kharya's hostel mates informed the IIT-K authorities. A suicide note left by Kharya, who was pursuing a PhD in Earth Sciences, indicated she held no one responsible for her decision, but the police have yet to determine the underlying causes.

The institution is awaiting forensic results to understand the circumstances surrounding her death fully. This case adds to a growing list of similar incidents that prompt a deeper inquiry into the pressures faced by students in high-intensity academic environments.

(With inputs from agencies.)