Pune: IISER Pune Students Stage Protest at Baner Gate Over Mental Health, Administrative Issues
Reported by shoaib tadvi
Baner, 27th August 2026: Hundreds of students of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune gathered at Baner Gate on Thursday morning for a peaceful demonstration, raising concerns over mental health support on campus, administrative decisions and student representation.
The protest comes after the death of a girl student on August 16. According to an institute statement issued to the press and media, the student was found seriously injured outside a hostel building at around 9:45 pm. She was immediately taken to hospital in the institute ambulance, while her parents and police were informed. The student later died.
IISER Pune said it is supporting the ongoing police investigation and stands with the student’s family, friends and classmates. A condolence meeting was held on August 17 and was attended by students, staff and faculty.
Students raise mental health concerns
The students’ protest follows what the press note describes as months of concerns over the campus mental health system, administrative decisions and the suspension of Student Council General Secretary Raj Bagwe. Students have demanded the revocation of his suspension and an end to what they describe as retaliatory action against student advocates.
The protesters are also demanding increased permanent counselling support, strict confidentiality for students seeking help and restoration of psychiatric services on campus. They have sought academic accommodations, including relaxed attendance requirements and suspension of near-term quizzes during periods of distress.
One of the protesters, Nimish Wagh, said students want the administration to address their concerns about mental health and student rights.
«“We want the administration to listen to students and take our concerns about mental health, academic pressure and student rights seriously,” Wagh said.»
IISER says additional counselling support provided
Responding to concerns over mental health support, IISER Pune said friends and classmates of the deceased student and other affected members of the institute community are being attended to by counsellors.
The institute said immediate campus-wide one-on-one and group-support sessions have been arranged. Guided group sessions led by a specialised counsellor are also being organised for students, staff and faculty.
IISER Pune said classes were cancelled for the day following the incident and that academic accommodations and flexible attendance policies are being considered for affected students.
The institute currently has two full-time counsellors, while two additional counsellors have been brought in through the campus Mental Wellbeing Centre. IISER Pune also said it is in the process of hiring one to two additional full-time counsellors.
Sit-in to continue
According to the student press note, protesters plan to continue their demonstration inside the campus through a sit-in. Students have said they will continue until the administration engages meaningfully with student representatives and provides concrete assurances on their demands.
The institute, meanwhile, said it remains committed to the safety and wellbeing of its students and campus residents and has initiated additional measures to provide support.
