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The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has postponed the mid-semester examinations, which was scheduled from February 21 to 24, in view of the impact of the recent suicide case of MTech student Varad Sanjay Nerkar on other students. Now, the exams will be conducted from February 26 to 29.
An email sent by the administration to students on Tuesday said: “Dear fellow IITians, Varad Sanajay Nerkar’s suicide has left all of us in deep anguish. This trauma has particularly affected students preparing for their mid-semester exams… In this light, based on discussions with all the student representatives and with their consensus today, the mid-semester exams scheduled from Wednesday (February 21) to Saturday are rescheduled to Monday (26th) to Thursday. No classes or labs should be planned for the rest of this week.”
An official, requesting anonymity, told The Indian Express: “The students have approached the administration, stating that there is a disturbing vibe in the campus right now and most of them are not able to concentrate on their studies. Which is why the institute has decided to push the date of the examinations, which were scheduled to happen this week.”
“We are very saddened by the recent demise of our MTech student. The people in the administration, too, have taken a hit after this incident. He was a bright and well-performing student,” the official added.
A student representative, meanwhile, told The Indian Express: “After Varad’s demise, we reached out to all the students on campus and spoke to them. Many shared with us that they are mentally disturbed right now, and are not in a headspace to appear for the examinations. Following this, all the student representatives across boards on the campus reached out to the academic dean and the director to convey this message to them… The open house, which was scheduled for February 28, has been rescheduled to Thursday this week. We think it is very necessary to hold the open house as soon as possible to provide strength and support to the students.”
A final-year MTech student of IIT Delhi had allegedly died by suicide inside his hostel room late Thursday evening last week, said Delhi Police in a statement. Varad Sanjay Nerkar (23), who was found dead in his room at Dronagiri Hostel, was a native of Maharashtra’s Nashik.
“He was a very good student, and had a high CGPA. He was a final year MTech student, and had got a job placement…,” said an official from IIT Delhi, requesting anonymity.
