Full Breakdown
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay to Review Examination-Malpractice Penalties After Student’s Suicide
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
IIT Bombay will reconsider the one-semester suspension provision for students caught using unauthorised material during exams. The proposal will be examined at an emergency Senate meeting on Wednesday. The review follows the September 18 suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode, who was found with a mobile phone and an AI tool during a mid-semester exam.
Background & Context
Wakode’s death sparked campus protests and scrutiny of the institute’s disciplinary procedures. Faculty member Suryanarayana Doolla, the invigilator who confiscated the phone, acted under protocol that mandates immediate confiscation of unauthorised material. Students and Wakode’s family have alleged harassment and caste-based discrimination, though an initial investigation found no concrete evidence linking the faculty member to the suicide. The matter remains under investigation by the Powai police crime branch.
Proposed Rule Changes
The draft revision would shift from “immediate disciplinary action” to a process that first allows the accused student to explain their side. Under the 2026 framework, possession or use of unauthorised devices (mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, AI-enabled gadgets) carries an FR2 grade plus a one-semester suspension. The draft also suggests involving the student’s mentor, head of department and other officials in the decision-making process, and clarifying steps for evidence collection, reporting and review.
Senate Meeting & Timeline
The institute’s Senate, which approved the 2026 disciplinary framework in August, will meet on Wednesday with a single-point agenda to discuss reverting to the 2015 guidelines. Those earlier rules reserved suspension for serious cases such as mass copying, repeat offences or impersonation, and required confiscation of material, issuance of a fresh answer sheet, and review by a Departmental Academic Disciplinary Action Committee. The postponed mid-semester examinations are scheduled for October 10-11.
Official Statements & Responses
- IIT Bombay’s public statement on September 18 affirmed that no disciplinary action was initiated against Wakode at the time of the incident; the instructor and head of department counselled him and assured him that the matter would not affect his academic record.
- The committee appointed after the incident has recommended a more defined standard operating procedure, including participation of mentors and department heads before a final decision.
- Siddhant Gupta, general secretary of academic affairs (UG), said faculty have been invited to submit suggestions at the Senate meeting, emphasizing the need for clear, step-by-step instructions for handling suspected malpractice.
Data & Statistics
- The 2026 rules prescribe an FR2 grade and a one-semester suspension for any confirmed use or possession of unauthorised material.
- Under the 2015 policy, suspension was applied only in cases of mass cheating, repeat violations, or impersonation.
- Historical data show that, in a prior exam cycle, 52 students received grade reductions, seven suffered two reductions, 25 received fail grades, and three faced a semester-long suspension for repeat offences.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- While the institute’s statement asserts no disciplinary action was taken against Wakode, students and family members continue to allege harassment and caste discrimination; the investigation has not yet produced a definitive conclusion.
- Some students report not receiving official notice regarding the proposed rule changes, highlighting a communication gap between the administration and the student body.
What’s Next
The Senate’s decision on whether to retain, modify, or replace the one-semester suspension provision will shape IIT Bombay’s disciplinary framework for future examinations and determine how quickly students may face academic penalties for malpractice.