The Supreme Court of India has directed the immediate appointment of Dr. T.C.A. Anant, the former Chief Statistician of India, as a Technical Consultant to the National Task Force (NTF).
Court Directives
In an order passed on February 6, 2026, a bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan issued the following mandates to the Union of India:
- Appointment: The Ministry of Education must pass an order of appointment for Dr. Anant at the earliest.
- Infrastructure & Data: The Ministry is directed to provide Dr. Anant with all necessary administrative support, including infrastructure and full data access.
- Remuneration: Dr. Anant will receive appropriate remuneration or honorarium in accordance with prevalent government norms.
Context of the National Task Force
The National Task Force was constituted by the Supreme Court. The case arose following the tragic suicides of students at premier institutions like IIT Delhi, which highlighted systemic issues of academic pressure and caste-based discrimination.
The Task Force is currently analyzing data from a massive nationwide survey involving students, faculty, and educational institutions. The inclusion of Dr. Anant—who previously served as the Chief Statistician of India and a member of the UPSC—is expected to bring rigorous statistical oversight to the final recommendations.
Legal Representation
The order was passed after hearing submissions from Ms. Aparna Bhat, the learned Amicus Curiae, and Mr. K.M. Nataraj, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) representing the Union of India.
Case Details
Case Title: AMIT KUMAR & ORS. v/s UNION OF INDIA & ORS.
Citation: INTERLOCUTORY APPLICATION NO. 25652 OF 2026
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