IIT Bombay opens 30 counsellor posts at student wellness centre; apply by October 17

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has invited applications for 30 ad hoc counsellor positions at its Student Wellness Centre (SWC). The application window for these roles closes on October 17, 2026, with interviews scheduled between October 12 and October 18, 2026.

This recruitment drive aims to strengthen the institute’s mental health support system, following the death of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode on September 18, which allegedly occurred by suicide and triggered student protests on campus. Students had raised concerns regarding the adequacy of existing mental health provisions for the approximately 14,000 students across various courses and departments.

Counsellor Vacancies and Application Process

IIT Bombay is recruiting for a total of 30 ad hoc counsellor positions. This includes 26 student counsellor posts and four senior counsellor posts. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through a Google Form, which is linked in the institute’s official recruitment notice.

The selection process involves shortlisting of applicants, followed by an interview conducted by a dedicated committee. Interviews are scheduled to take place between October 12 and October 18, 2026. Candidates have the option to attend interviews in person at the IIT Bombay campus, while online interview facilities are available exclusively for applicants residing outside Mumbai.

Eligibility Criteria and Experience Requirements

Applicants for these counsellor positions must hold a Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Arts (MA) degree in Psychology, with a specialisation in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, or Social Psychology. Candidates are required to have secured at least 55% marks or an equivalent grade point average from a recognised university or institute.

Specific experience requirements vary by post. Student counsellor positions mandate a minimum of two years of relevant experience after completing the qualifying degree, while senior counsellor positions require at least 10 years of relevant experience. This experience must be gained from an academic or medical institution. Experience working with adolescents and young adults, handling crisis cases, and working in residential academic institutions is considered an added advantage. Knowledge of one or more Indian languages, along with English or Hindi, is also desirable. The age limit for all applicants is 45 years as of October 9, 2026.

Remuneration and Appointment Details

The appointments will initially be for a period of 89 days. However, the institute may consider extending these appointments into long-term positions based on performance. Selected candidates may begin joining from October 15, 2026, with the latest joining date being November 17, 2026. Counsellors may be required to work flexible hours and locations, including weekends and holidays.

Optional single-room hostel accommodation will be available, with plans to provide it to at least 10 counsellors. The selection committee will also consider language and gender diversity during the recruitment process. Candidates invited for interviews will be handling bearing their own travel and other related expenses.

Full-time positions require 40 hours of work per week, while part-time positions require 20 hours per week. Full-time student counsellors will receive a monthly salary ranging from ₹70,000 to ₹1,00,000, and part-time student counsellors will receive ₹35,000 to ₹50,000 per month. For senior counsellors, full-time roles offer a monthly salary of ₹1,40,000 to ₹1,60,000, and part-time roles offer ₹70,000 to ₹80,000 per month.

Context of the Recruitment Drive

This recruitment drive follows student protests on the IIT Bombay campus after the death of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode on September 18, which was allegedly a suicide. The incident prompted students to raise concerns about the adequacy of the institute’s mental health support system and highlight a series of student deaths over the past year. Students submitted a list of demands to Director Professor Shireesh Kedare, which included an expansion of mental health support on campus.

The Student Wellness Centre (SWC) currently provides counselling and mental health support to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students. However, with a limited number of counsellors, the SWC was considered inadequately equipped to cater to the institute’s large student body. Since the protests, the administration has announced several reforms focused on student welfare, including the appointment of an additional associate dean under the Dean of Student Affairs to oversee student welfare and plans to appoint ‘student wellness secretaries’ in hostels. The SWC offers a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space, providing one-on-one counselling, group therapy, mindfulness workshops, peer support, and wellness programs.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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