Srinagar, Jan 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the constitution of District Level Monitoring Committees across the Union Territory to oversee the implementation of measures related to mental health protection and prevention of suicides among students.
According to Government Order No. 117 JK (GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department, the committees have been constituted in pursuance of directions passed by the Supreme Court of India in Criminal Appeal No. 3177 of 2025, arising out of a case related to student mental health and suicide prevention.
As per the order, each district level committee will be chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, with the Chief Education Officer, Chief Medical Officer and District Social Welfare Officer as members. The committee will also include a representative from civil society to be nominated by the Deputy Commissioner.
The terms of reference of the committees include overseeing the implementation of Supreme Court guidelines, conducting periodic inspections across educational institutions, and examining and addressing complaints related to mental health protection and suicide prevention among students within the district.
The order authorises the committees to monitor compliance in schools and other educational institutions and to ensure that safeguards related to student mental wellbeing are effectively enforced on the ground.
While the move has been welcomed as a formal step towards addressing growing concerns over student stress, mental health and suicides, education stakeholders have stressed that effective implementation will be key. They said mere constitution of committees will not suffice unless inspections, grievance redressal and follow up action are carried out in a transparent and time bound manner.
The order has been issued by the Commissioner Secretary to the Government, General Administration Department, and copies have been circulated to all concerned departments, including School Education and Social Welfare. [KNT]
