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 vacancies include 26 student counsellor posts and four senior counsellor posts. Eligible candidates can apply online through the Google Form linked in the institute’s recruitment notice. The last date to submit applications is October 17, 2026.

The recruitment drive follows the death of second-year Bachelor of Technology (BTech) student Sahil Wakode on September 18. His death, which was allegedly a suicide, triggered student protests on the campus. Reports stated that Wakode had been found using his phone during a mid-semester examination hours before his death.

The Student Wellness Centre provides counselling and mental health support to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students at the institute. According to the recruitment notice, selected candidates may begin joining from October 15, 2026.

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

The required work experience varies by position:

• Student counsellor: At least two years of relevant experience after completing the qualifying degree.
• Senior counsellor: At least 10 years of relevant experience.

The experience must be from an academic or medical institution.

Experience in working with adolescents and young adults, handling crisis cases and working in residential academic institutions will be an added advantage. Knowledge of one or more Indian languages apart from English and/or Hindi is also desirable.

The appointments will initially be for 89 days. The institute may consider extending them into long-term positions based on the candidates’ performance.

Selected candidates may join between October 15 and November 17, 2026. As the positions are based on a residential academic campus, counsellors may be required to work flexible hours and locations, including weekends and holidays.

Optional single-room hostel accommodation will also be available, with the institute planning to provide the facility to at least 10 counsellors. Applicants who require accommodation must indicate this in their applications.

The selection process will involve shortlisting and an interview conducted by a committee appointed by the institute.

Interviews are scheduled between October 12 and October 18, 2026. Candidates can attend in person at IIT Bombay, while online interviews will be available only to applicants residing outside Mumbai. Further details will be communicated to shortlisted candidates.

The selection committee will also consider language and gender diversity to help ensure that students from different backgrounds can access counselling and mental health support.

Candidates invited for interviews will have to bear their own travel and other related expenses.

Applicants should refer to the official recruitment notice for the application form, detailed eligibility conditions and other instructions before submitting their applications.