IISER Pune Says Measures Underway to Address Student Sit-in Demands on Day Six

Pune, 1st September 2026: The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune administration on Tuesday said it was working on measures to address most of the demands raised by students participating in a six-day sit-in on the campus.

The institute said it received a demand letter from the students on August 31. Director Prof. Sunil Bhagwat subsequently informed students, faculty and staff that the administration was working on mechanisms to address the demands while taking into account student safety, the interests of students who were not participating in the sit-in and the limits of the institute’s authority.

The Director and some faculty members also visited the students participating in the sit-in to enquire about their well-being. According to the institute, Bhagwat’s invitation for a delegation of three to five student representatives to meet him remains open.

IISER Pune plans additional mental health support
On mental health infrastructure, IISER Pune said it currently has two full-time counsellors and has already initiated the process of recruiting two additional full-time counsellors. The institute said it is also working towards appointing two counsellors on a part-time basis.

The institute said students, faculty and staff are being provided training under the Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Programme at the Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health (MIMH).

The Mental Well-Being Centre currently refers students requiring psychiatric services to MIMH, which is located near the campus, the institute said.

The medical committee is also planning to introduce 24×7 online counselling services. IISER Pune said it is exploring additional hospitals for psychiatric referrals and is working towards adding on-campus psychiatric services to its Mental Well-Being Centre.

The institute also said it would reimburse expenses for emergency medical services for students if such treatment is not covered under the existing insurance.

Two-week attendance relaxation announced
In view of the recent death of a student and its impact on students, IISER Pune said it had provided a two-week relaxation in attendance requirements for lectures and laboratory sessions from August 17 to August 31.

PhD hostel cross-mobility under consideration
The administration said it was preparing to enable mobility of PhD students between boys’ and girls’ hostels.

According to IISER Pune, the move will be implemented after seeking the views of hostel residents, with the aim of ensuring that residents have a say in matters concerning their safety and autonomy.

The institute said security-related rules would be finalised and strictly enforced.

More common spaces planned for student activities
IISER Pune said common rooms on the ground floor of all hostels are already available to students. Gender-neutral washrooms are also being made available on the ground floor of all hostels.

The ground and first floors of the Dining Hall are open to all students, and the institute has invited suggestions on how these spaces can be equipped for common activities.

The administration also said the process for booking lecture halls, seminar rooms and discussion rooms for student activities would be streamlined.

Indoor sports and gym facilities are planned to remain open for extended hours. The institute said this would be implemented after additional personnel are recruited to ensure the safety and security of users and facilities.

IISER reiterates no retaliatory action
The institute reiterated that students participating in or organising the current peaceful sit-in would not face disciplinary action as long as the protest remains peaceful, does not involve violence, does not disrupt essential institute operations, does not involve unlawful acts and does not violate applicable laws or institute IT policies.

The administration said this position had already been communicated through an email sent by the Director on August 28, the second day of the sit-in.

Institute says suspended student received appeal opportunity
On the students’ demand concerning disciplinary action against a former General Secretary, IISER Pune said the student was suspended following a disciplinary inquiry during which they were given an opportunity to present their position.

The student subsequently appealed against the suspension and met the appellate authority, the Chairperson of the IISER Pune Board of Governors, to present their case again, the institute said.

According to the administration, the appellate authority’s detailed response was subsequently shared with the student.

IISER Pune said that under its statutes, the Director does not have the authority to revoke a decision taken by the appellate authority. The institute maintained that the applicable rules and regulations were followed throughout the process.

The administration said it would continue working with students to improve campus facilities and living conditions.