IIT Bombay changes exam rules after student Death
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Following a student suicide and campus protests, IIT Bombay in India revised its protocol for handling exam misconduct this July, then paused the new rules in October.
Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a student at the institute, died by suicide after being accused of using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during an exam. Students protested, demanding changes to how the school addresses academic misconduct and supports student wellbeing. In response, an eight-member committee reviewed the process.
They proposed a system where students caught with unauthorised materials can finish their exams with a fresh answer booklet. The invigilator now only documents the incident, and the Departmental Disciplinary Action Committee decides the consequences. Students can also submit their account of the incident, and the institute’s counselling team is alerted to offer support immediately after the exam. The Senate temporarily suspended stricter penalties introduced in July 2026, reverting to rules from April 2015.
The older rules carry lighter penalties for simply possessing a phone, reserving harsher punishments for more serious offences like cheating or impersonation. IIT Bombay is also considering CCTV monitoring, controlled bio-breaks, and ending routine physical searches. A final set of guidelines is expected, and a joint committee is drafting procedures for students to consult with mentors before disciplinary action begins.
