The Union Ministry of Education has sent the director of the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Ranchi (IIIT-Ranchi) on 30-day leave with immediate effect, days after the death of a first-year student triggered prolonged protests on the campus. The move comes a day after the ministry constituted a three-member committee to examine the issues raised by students and the circumstances surrounding the institute’s administration.
According to people aware of the development, the order was issued on Wednesday and applies to director Rajiv Srivastava. To end the administrative deadlock, Prof. V. M. S. R. Murthy, the current director of IIEST Shibpur, has been given additional charge as the officiating director of IIIT Ranchi. He will head the institution for one month or until further orders.
The institute’s registrar in charge, Munuren Samson Champia, confirmed both developments. He said the director had proceeded on 30 days’ leave while a probe is conducted into the complaint against him.
What triggered the crisis
The unrest began after the alleged suicide of a first-year student on Saturday night. Students allege that the incident reflects deeper problems on the campus, including inadequate student support systems and an administration they say was unresponsive to grievances. In the days that followed, students staged protests outside hostels and demanded accountability from the top.
The protests drew national attention, prompting the education ministry to step in. On Tuesday, it announced a three-member panel to look into issues related to the institution and the students’ demands. The committee’s findings are expected to guide further administrative action.
Strike called off, for now
Following the ministry’s action, protesting students have temporarily halted their strike. A student involved in the protests said the strike had ended after the director was asked to proceed on 30-day leave, signalling that the immediate demand for leadership change had been met, at least temporarily.
Meanwhile, the institute administration has also cancelled its recent recruitment process for various non-teaching posts, which had been mired in controversy. An official notice issued by the registrar in charge said the process stood cancelled with immediate effect due to unavoidable administrative circumstances. The administration confirmed that application fees paid by candidates will be fully refunded, and the refund instructions will be uploaded to the institute’s official website shortly.
Why this matters beyond Ranchi
IIIT Ranchi is one of the 25 institutes of information technology set up under a public-private partnership model, and it is mentored by the National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur. The episode has once again put the spotlight on student mental health and campus governance at India’s premier technology institutes.
Over the past few years, several centrally funded institutes have faced student agitations over hostel conditions, fee hikes and administrative opacity. Education policy experts say the Ranchi episode underlines a structural gap: while India has expanded its network of elite institutes rapidly, campus-level grievance redressal and counselling infrastructure have not always kept pace.
The three-member ministry panel is expected to look not just at the specific complaints against the director, but at the broader question of how the institute handles student welfare. Its report could influence how the education ministry frames oversight for the IIIT network going forward.
What happens next
- The probe: The complaint against the director will be examined during his 30-day leave. The ministry has not specified a deadline for conclusions.
- The panel report: The three-member committee will review institutional issues and student demands, with recommendations likely to follow.
- Interim leadership: Prof. Murthy, who leads IIEST Shibpur, will run IIIT Ranchi for a month or until further orders, giving the campus a fresh point of contact.
- Recruitment refunds: Candidates who paid fees for the cancelled non-teaching recruitment process are to receive full refunds, with details to be posted on the institute website.
For now, the campus is calm but watchful. Students say they will resume their agitation if the panel’s findings are not acted upon, which puts the ball firmly in the ministry’s court.
FAQs
Why was the IIIT Ranchi director sent on leave?
Director Rajiv Srivastava was asked to proceed on 30 days’ leave while a probe is conducted into complaints against him, following student protests over a first-year student’s death and wider campus issues.
Who is running IIIT Ranchi now?
Prof. V. M. S. R. Murthy, director of IIEST Shibpur, has been given additional charge as officiating director for one month or until further orders.
What is the three-member panel examining?
The ministry-formed panel will look into issues related to the institution and the demands raised by protesting students.
Was the campus recruitment process cancelled?
Yes. The institute cancelled its recent recruitment process for non-teaching posts, citing unavoidable administrative circumstances, and said application fees will be fully refunded.
Has the student strike ended?
Protesting students have temporarily halted the strike after the director was sent on leave, but say they will return to protests if the panel’s recommendations are not implemented.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support. Helplines in India: Aasra at 022 2754 6669, Sneha India Foundation at +91 44 2464 0050, and Sanjivini at 011-24311918.
