IISER Pune Student Protest: Institute Announces More Counsellors, Academic Support After Death
Pune, 26th August 2026: The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune has said it is taking additional steps to support students following the death of a BS-MS student on August 16, amid concerns raised by students over mental health services and institutional support on campus.
The institute said the student, Trina Paul, was found seriously injured outside a hostel building at around 9.45 pm on August 16. She was immediately taken to a hospital in the institute’s ambulance, while her parents and the police were informed simultaneously. However, she could not be saved.
The response comes ahead of a student sit-in scheduled for August 27, with students planning to raise concerns over the campus mental health infrastructure, the administrative response to student grievances and disciplinary action against student representatives.
IISER Pune said it is extending its full support to the ongoing police investigation and expressed solidarity with the student’s family, friends and classmates.
A condolence meeting was held on August 17, which was attended by students, faculty and staff members of the institute.
IISER says counselling support expanded
Addressing concerns over mental health support, the institute said friends and classmates of the deceased student and other affected members of the campus community are being supported by its counsellors.
According to IISER, its counselling team has initiated campus-wide individual and group support sessions. Guided group sessions led by a specialised counsellor are also being organised for students, staff and faculty members to help them cope with the situation.
The institute said classes were cancelled on the day following the incident and that academic accommodations and flexible attendance policies are being considered for affected students.
IISER currently has two full-time counsellors, while two additional counsellors have been brought in through the campus Mental Wellbeing Centre to strengthen the support system.
The institute also said it is in the process of hiring one to two additional full-time counsellors.
Students have raised wider concerns
Students had earlier announced that they would hold a peaceful sit-in at 11 am on August 27 at the Baner Gate of the IISER Pune campus.
Their demands include an overhaul of mental health services, including more counsellors, transparent appointment waitlists, confidentiality and access to psychiatric services. Students have also sought academic support for those dealing with grief and mental health difficulties.
The students have raised concerns over disciplinary action against a student council representative and called for the revocation of the suspension and hostel expulsion of the council’s general secretary. They have also sought assurances that students raising grievances or participating in peaceful protests will not face retaliation.
Other demands relate to attendance requirements, short-term examinations, support for grieving students, hostel mobility restrictions and restoration of common spaces.
In its response, IISER Pune said it “remains committed to the safety and wellbeing of all its students and campus residents” and has initiated additional measures to strengthen support on campus.
The institute’s statement did not specifically address the students’ allegations regarding disciplinary action against student representatives or their other administrative demands.
