IIT Delhi drops one set of mid-semester exams to reduce student stress: Director Rangan Banerjee

The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi has revamped its evaluation system and dropped a set of mid-semester exams to reduce students' stress, according to institute director Rangan Banerjee.

The decision comes against the backdrop of several cases of student suicides across IITs which has sparked a debate about whether the curriculum and the rigorous study schedule are impacting the mental health of students. 

The IIT Council, in its meeting in April, decided that there is a need for a robust grievance redressal system; increasing psychological counselling services; reducing pressure, fear of failure and rejection among students.

The issue of student suicide, alleged discrimination, and ensuring the mental well-being of students was discussed at length during the meeting.