Archive · 20 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Student Death After ChatGPT Exam Sparks Protests
Sahil Wakode was a second-year student at IIT Bombay.
During an exam, staff said he used a phone and uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT.
The institute said teachers spoke with him and told him the incident would not harm his academic future.
Later that evening, he was found dead in his hostel room.
His death led students to protest on campus.
Some students said he may have faced suspension or other serious pressure.
His parents blamed the institute and demanded justice, with his father alleging caste discrimination.
Students also said the institute needs better mental-health services and more student involvement in decisions.
IIT Bombay said a committee would examine the death and the wider concerns.
Sahil Wakode, a second-year student, was found dead in his hostel room on Friday evening after being questioned over phone use during an examination.
IIT Bombay said Wakode had uploaded the examination paper to ChatGPT for answers, but no disciplinary proceedings had been initiated.
The institute said an instructor and department head counselled Wakode and assured him the incident would not affect his academic career.
Students alleged he faced the possibility of suspension, while his parents accused the institute of harassment and, according to his father, caste discrimination.
Campus protests called for transparency, accountability, stronger mental-health support, greater student representation, and changes to restrictions on common spaces.
- Who
- Sahil Wakode, a second-year student at IIT Bombay; his parents, institute officials, and protesting students.
- What
- Wakode was questioned over allegedly using a phone during an examination and was later found dead in his hostel room, prompting campus protests.
- When
- The examination and death occurred on Friday; protests and an open-house meeting took place on Saturday.
- Where
- IIT Bombay's Powai campus, including Wakode's hostel room and Convocation Hall.
- Why
- Students and Wakode's parents questioned the handling of the examination incident and raised broader concerns about discipline, mental-health support, representation, and campus restrictions.
IIT Bombay's account
Students' and parents' concerns
Whether disciplinary action began
IIT Bombay's account
IIT Bombay said no disciplinary proceedings had been initiated and that Wakode was assured the incident would not affect his academic career.
Students' and parents' concerns
Students alleged Wakode had been threatened with possible suspension and questioned whether he had experienced disciplinary pressure.
How the incident was handled
IIT Bombay's account
The institute said the instructor and Head of Department discussed the matter with Wakode and counselled him before he returned to his hostel room.
Students' and parents' concerns
Students said any academic violation should have been addressed sensitively and that insensitive remarks or treatment can severely affect students.
Responsibility and student welfare
IIT Bombay's account
The institute said the circumstances of the death were being examined and that it would develop more effective support policies.
Students' and parents' concerns
Wakode's parents blamed the administration, his father alleged caste discrimination, and students cited inadequate mental-health support, limited representation, and restrictive campus policies.
- Student
- Sahil Wakode, a second-year student in IIT Bombay's Department of Energy Science and Engineering.
- Exam allegation
- IIT Bombay said Wakode used a mobile phone during an examination and uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.
- Institute's account
- The institute said no disciplinary proceedings had been initiated and that Wakode was counselled by the instructor and Head of Department.
- Student allegations
- Students alleged Wakode faced the possibility of a one-year suspension and questioned whether the matter had been handled sensitively.
- Parents' allegations
- Wakode's parents demanded justice; his mother alleged harassment, while his father alleged caste discrimination and institutional torture.
- Protest demands
- Students sought transparency, accountability, better mental-health support, greater representation in policymaking, and improved access to common spaces.
- Institute response
- Director Shireesh Kedare said a committee would examine the circumstances of the death and the wider student concerns.
