The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, one of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions, has been jolted once again by the death of a student—the second in just four days and the fifth this year—deepening anxieties about student safety and mental health on campus.
This fatality comes just four days after the body of Ritam Mandal, a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student, was discovered hanging in his hostel room in what authorities suspect to be a case of suicide. His unexpected death had already rattled the campus before this latest tragedy unfolded.
How the death happened?
The latest incident occurred on Monday night, when Chandradeep Pawar, a second-year Electrical Engineering student from Madhya Pradesh, reportedly choked to death after a medical tablet became lodged in his airway. He was rushed to B.C. Roy Technology Hospital on campus, where he was administered CPR, but doctors were unable to revive him. He was declared dead around 11:30 pm..
According to police and IIT authorities, Chandradeep had been taking medication for fever and cold, prescribed by a doctor. The tablet got stuck in his throat while he was eating, leading to acute respiratory distress. His death has cast a dark shadow across the campus, particularly his hostel, Nehru Hall, where he lived in Room D-408.
“A student of IIT Kharagpur died after a tablet got lodged in his airway. CPR was administered at the campus hospital, but he could not be saved. The body will be sent for autopsy at Medinipur Medical College on Tuesday,” said a senior district police officer.
The institute has informed Chandradeep’s family, and grief-stricken students held a candlelight vigil in his memory. His sudden death has added to the growing emotional toll the campus community has faced in recent months.
A pattern of tragedy
With five student deaths reported at IIT Kharagpur in the first seven months of 2025, alarm bells are ringing louder than ever. While Monday night’s death is being termed a tragic accident, the previous four incidents are all believed to be suicides, prompting urgent calls for mental health interventions.
Administrative response
In response to the mounting crisis, IIT Kharagpur has announced the formation of a student task force in every hostel, aimed at identifying and addressing signs of psychological distress among students. The task forces are expected to act as early warning systems and provide peer support to those struggling silently.
An official from the administration noted, “These are our brightest minds. Their well-being is our top priority. We must now go beyond academic excellence and foster an environment where students feel heard, supported, and safe.”
As the campus mourns yet another young life lost too soon, questions continue to surface—about stress, student isolation, institutional response, and the fragility of life in even the most illustrious educational spaces. What is clear is that the time for deeper reform and proactive care is now.