IIT Kanpur PhD Scholar Dies by Suicide in Campus Tragedy
A 25-year-old research scholar at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, died by suicide on Tuesday, marking the second such tragic incident on the campus within a span of just 20 days. The young academic, identified as Ramswaroop Ishram, ended his life by jumping from the sixth floor of a multi-storey building located within the IIT Kanpur premises.
Timeline of the Tragic Incident
According to official reports, the incident occurred around 1:30 PM on Tuesday afternoon. Ishram jumped from the sixth floor of the building and was immediately rushed to a private hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment at the hospital.
Profile of the Deceased Scholar
Ramswaroop Ishram was a resident of Giriwarsar in Churu, Rajasthan. He was pursuing his PhD in the Department of Earth Sciences at IIT Kanpur, having joined the institute in July 2023. Ishram lived on campus with his wife, Manju, and their two-year-old daughter in the New SBRA building.
Family and personal details:
- Age: 25 years
- Hometown: Giriwarsar, Churu, Rajasthan
- Academic program: PhD in Earth Sciences
- Joined IIT Kanpur: July 2023
- Family: Wife Manju and two-year-old daughter
Mental Health Struggles Revealed
While the exact reasons behind his extreme step are still under investigation, sources within IIT Kanpur revealed to media outlets that Ishram had been suffering from an anxiety disorder for a considerable period. His wife confirmed that he had been under significant stress due to illness.
ACP Kalyanpur Ashutosh Kumar provided further details, stating, "Ishram was in depression due to illness and was undergoing treatment. No suicide note was found at the scene. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination as per standard procedure."
Official Response from IIT Kanpur
In an official statement, IIT Kanpur authorities expressed profound grief over the tragedy. The institute stated, "With profound grief, IIT-Kanpur mourns the tragic and untimely demise of Ramswaroop Ishram, a PhD scholar in the department of earth sciences. Ishram was a promising research scholar who joined the institute in July 2023. At this hour of grief, the institute condoles the untimely demise of a promising researcher and prays for strength to the bereaved family."
Second Campus Suicide in Three Weeks
This tragic incident marks the second case of suicide on the IIT Kanpur campus within just 20 days. On December 29, 2025, Jay Singh Meena, a final-year BTech student in the Biological Sciences and Bioengineering Department, also died by suicide in a campus hostel.
Details of the previous incident:
- Date: December 29, 2025
- Victim: Jay Singh Meena
- Program: BTech final year student
- Department: Biological Sciences and Bioengineering
- Year of admission: 2020
- Method: Hanged himself in campus hostel
Police Investigation and Procedures
Following the incident, police took custody of the body and initiated standard investigation procedures. The absence of a suicide note has made determining the precise motivations challenging, though mental health issues appear to be a significant factor based on statements from family and authorities.
The back-to-back tragedies have raised serious concerns about mental health support systems within academic institutions, particularly in high-pressure environments like IIT campuses. The incidents highlight the urgent need for enhanced counseling services, mental health awareness programs, and support mechanisms for students and researchers facing academic and personal challenges.
As the investigation continues, the academic community mourns the loss of another promising young mind, while questions about institutional responsibility and student welfare systems remain at the forefront of discussions about higher education in India.
