IIT Kharagpur launches 24×7 recharge zones to help students cope with stress during placement

kolkata: iit kharagpur has launched dedicated 'recharge zones' across its campus to help students manage rising stress levels during the placement season, institute director suman chakraborty said on wednesday.designed as round-the-clock relaxation spaces, the zones offer brief but meaningful breaks from the intense pressure of job interviews and selection rounds. a faculty member said the institute, known for its demanding placement schedules, has seen a steady rise in cases of student anxiety.chakraborty said the initiative was conceptualised after counsellors and faculty observed many students struggling to cope with back-to-back interviews and heightened expectations. the zones include quiet corners for meditation, reading journals, creative walls for doodling, soft music pods, stress-relief games and basic fitness tools intended to help students reset mentally.“even a few minutes spent away from the placement bustle can help students regain focus,” he said.the recharge zones form part of the institute's broader efforts to strengthen mental-health support. iit kharagpur has expanded counselling services in the past year and introduced several wellness programmes aimed at promoting healthier academic habits.chakraborty emphasised that taking breaks should be viewed as a constructive practice, not a sign of weakness.students have welcomed the initiative, saying the spaces offer a rare pause in an overwhelmingly competitive environment. while placement stress persists, the zones provide some relief and acknowledge the emotional strain the process entails, student debmalya bagchi said.