Archive · 21 Sep 2026
IIT Kharagpur Director Reassures Students Amid IIT Bombay Protests
IIT Kharagpur’s director sent students an encouraging message before their exams.
He said one test cannot show everything about a person.
He reminded them that getting into the institute already took years of hard work.
He asked students to stay calm, take care of themselves and answer one question at a time.
He also said a poor exam or grade does not decide someone’s whole future.
Students who feel overwhelmed should talk to someone they trust.
The message came after IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode died by suicide following an exam-related incident.
That incident led to protests and demands for better support and accountability.
IIT Bombay’s director later signed an 18-point document with protesting students, while the circumstances remain under investigation.
IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty said exams measure one day’s performance, not a student’s identity or future.
He urged students to trust their preparation, sleep adequately, eat properly, remain honest and take one question at a time.
Chakraborty advised students facing overwhelming academic or personal difficulties to speak to someone rather than cope alone.
His message followed the September 18 death by suicide of second-year IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode after an examination-hall incident.
Protests at IIT Bombay led to postponed exams and an 18-point agreement covering accountability, mental-health services and student representation.
- Who
- IIT Kharagpur Director Prof Suman Chakraborty, IIT Kharagpur students, IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, and students protesting at IIT Bombay.
- What
- Chakraborty issued a message saying exams and grades should not define students’ worth, abilities or futures.
- When
- The message was released ahead of IIT Kharagpur’s semester examinations; Wakode died on September 18, 2026, according to the articles.
- Where
- The message concerned IIT Kharagpur, while the referenced examination incident and protests occurred at IIT Bombay.
- Why
- The message aimed to address exam anxiety and student well-being amid protests and concern following Wakode’s death.
Institute Account
Student and Family Concerns
Circumstances of the Examination Incident
Institute Account
IIT Bombay said Wakode was found using a phone and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT. It said he was counselled, assured that the incident would not harm his academic career and faced no initiated disciplinary action.
Student and Family Concerns
Students protested over the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death and sought greater institutional accountability and transparency. His family alleged caste-based harassment, which IIT Bombay denied.
Institutional Response
Institute Account
IIT Bombay’s administration said due process would be followed in matters involving specific individuals and its director signed an 18-point charter with protesters.
Student and Family Concerns
Protesting students called for an independent inquiry, stronger mental-health services, greater student representation and changes to disciplinary procedures.
- Speaker
- Prof Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur
- Core message
- An exam measures what a student writes on one day and does not define their identity or future
- Advice to students
- Trust preparation, breathe, take one question at a time, sleep adequately and eat properly
- Referenced death
- Second-year IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode died by suicide on September 18, 2026
- IIT Bombay account
- The institute said Wakode was found using a mobile phone and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT; it said no disciplinary action had been initiated
- Protest response
- More than 400 students gathered, and IIT Bombay postponed its ongoing mid-semester examinations
- Agreement
- IIT Bombay Director Prof Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point charter addressing inquiry, mental-health services, student representation and disciplinary processes
