Archive · 19 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Student Death After Exam Phone Incident Sparks Protests
A student at IIT Bombay was found with a phone during an exam, even though phones were not allowed.
The institute said he used the phone to send a picture of the exam paper to ChatGPT for help.
Teachers spoke with him and said the incident would not harm his academic future.
He then went back to his hostel room and was later found dead.
Police are investigating what happened.
The institute said it is supporting the student's friends, classmates, and staff.
Many students protested because they wanted answers and more accountability from the administration.
Some students said the campus had experienced several similar tragedies.
Other students urged everyone not to blame one another while the community was grieving.
A second-year Energy Science and Engineering student died by suicide in his IIT Bombay hostel room after being found using a mobile phone during an examination.
IIT Bombay said he uploaded the examination paper to ChatGPT to seek answers, while reports described the incident as alleged cheating.
The institute said no disciplinary action had begun and that the instructor and department head assured him the incident would not affect his academic career.
Students protested, with demands including accountability, transparency, an inquiry, and changes to disciplinary and academic procedures.
Police began investigating, while reports differed on the student's age, the date of the incident, and whether it was the third or fourth campus suicide in the relevant period.
- Who
- A second-year student in IIT Bombay's Energy Science and Engineering Department, identified in reports as Sahil Wakode, Sahil Wakude, or Sahil.
- What
- The student died by suicide after being found using a mobile phone during an examination, prompting protests and an investigation.
- When
- Reports place the incident on Friday, with one account identifying Thursday, September 18; he was found dead later the same day.
- Where
- IIT Bombay's Powai campus in Mumbai, including the examination hall and Hostel No. 4.
- Why
- The reported exam incident involved alleged use of ChatGPT to seek answers, but the articles do not establish why the student died.
Student Concerns
Institute and Police Response
Accountability and transparency
Student Concerns
Protesting students said the administration should explain what happened, investigate the death, and provide accountability and transparency.
Institute and Police Response
IIT Bombay said the circumstances were being examined by appropriate authorities and that it was supporting people affected by the death.
Possible disciplinary pressure
Student Concerns
Some students alleged that the student had faced or feared a possible one-year suspension and that pressure over disciplinary consequences may have contributed to the death; this claim was not independently verified.
Institute and Police Response
IIT Bombay said no disciplinary action had been initiated and that faculty members assured the student the incident would not affect his academic career.
Protest or solidarity
Student Concerns
Some students framed the incident as part of repeated campus tragedies and called for changes to administrative, disciplinary, and academic processes.
Institute and Police Response
Other students urged restraint and said the death should not become an administration-versus-students standoff while the campus was grieving.
- Institute
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, commonly called IIT Bombay
- Department
- Energy Science and Engineering
- Exam incident
- The student was found using a mobile phone in an examination hall and was reported to have uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT
- Institute's account
- No disciplinary action had been initiated; an instructor and the Head of the Department counselled him and said the incident would not adversely affect his academic career
- Student response
- Students protested for accountability, transparency, answers, and an inquiry into the circumstances
- Police response
- Powai police began an investigation, registered an accidental death report according to one report, and examined available evidence
- Reported discrepancies
- Accounts differed on whether the student was 19 or 22, whether the incident occurred Thursday or Friday, and whether it was the third or fourth campus suicide in the relevant period
Sources
IIT Bombay Student Warned Of 1-Year Suspension For Using ChatGPT In Exam? What Institute Said
IIT Bombay student dies by suicide after being caught using ChatGPT during exam
IIT Bombay Shares Statement After Student Dies By Suicide Hours After Exam Cheating Incident
Protests at IIT Bombay After Student Ends Life Following Cheating Allegations
IIT Bombay Student Found Using Phone In Exam, Later Found Dead In Hostel Room
IIT-B student dies by suicide hours after being found with phone in exam hall; 400 students protest
IIT Bombay student dies by suicide, was caught seeking AI help during exams
Caught Using ChatGPT In Exam, IIT Bombay Student Kills Self, Protests Erupt
