Archive · 20 Sep 2026
IIT Bombay Death Sparks Protest and Mental Health Concerns
Sahil Ravindra Wakode was a student at IIT Bombay who died on campus in September 2026.
Earlier that day, the institute said he had used a phone and ChatGPT during an examination.
The institute said teachers spoke with him and told him his academic future would not be harmed.
Students said the incident raised serious questions about examinations, discipline, and mental-health support.
They held a protest and asked for changes at the institute.
Police are investigating, and a case of abetment of suicide was registered after a complaint from Wakode’s father.
A dataset says IIT Bombay recorded six suicides and unnatural deaths since September 2021, including three in 2026.
The dataset also recorded 74 such deaths across 15 IIT campuses, although it combines suicides with other unnatural deaths.
Second-year student Sahil Ravindra Wakode died on the IIT Bombay campus on September 18, 2026.
IIT Bombay said Wakode was found using a phone during an exam and had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT.
The institute said no disciplinary action had begun and that officials assured him the incident would not harm his academic career.
Students protested, demanding accountability, changes to examination and disciplinary systems, and stronger mental-health support.
A Global IIT Alumni Support Group dataset recorded 74 suicides and unnatural deaths across 15 IIT campuses from September 2021 to September 18, 2026.
- Who
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year student in IIT Bombay’s Department of Energy Science and Engineering.
- What
- His death prompted a campus protest and renewed debate over examination procedures, disciplinary systems, and mental-health support.
- When
- September 18, 2026; the incident followed an examination earlier that day.
- Where
- The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay campus in Powai, Mumbai.
- Why
- The reported examination confrontation preceded the death, but the precise cause remains unconfirmed and is being investigated.
Institute and Clinical Caution
Student and Systemic Accountability Concerns
What preceded the death
Institute and Clinical Caution
IIT Bombay said Wakode was counselled by the instructor and department head, faced no initiated disciplinary action, and was assured that his academic career would not be affected. A psychiatrist said the available information was insufficient to determine the precise cause.
Student and Systemic Accountability Concerns
Students alleged that the examination and disciplinary environment contributed to distress and demanded accountability from institute officials.
Adequacy of mental-health support
Institute and Clinical Caution
The clinical recommendation was to expand regular checkups, peer-support programs, and access to psychological or medical treatment while avoiding unverified speculation.
Student and Systemic Accountability Concerns
Students said counselling mechanisms were not sufficiently independent or effective, while advocates called for transparent reviews and institutional changes after every death.
Institutional reforms
Institute and Clinical Caution
IIT Bombay said it was supporting affected friends, classmates, faculty members, and others, while appropriate authorities examined the circumstances.
Student and Systemic Accountability Concerns
Protesters demanded the resignation of senior officials, student representation on academic committees, and a review of the disciplinary code.
- Student
- Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year Energy Science and Engineering student
- Examination incident
- IIT Bombay said Wakode used a mobile phone and uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT
- Institute response
- The institute said no disciplinary action had begun and that his academic career would not be adversely affected
- Campus total
- Six suicides and unnatural deaths recorded at IIT Bombay since September 2021, according to the dataset
- 2026 campus figure
- Three of IIT Bombay’s six recorded deaths occurred in 2026
- Network-wide total
- 74 suicides and unnatural deaths across 15 IIT campuses from September 2021 through September 18, 2026
- Highest campus totals
- IIT Kharagpur recorded 13 deaths; IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi recorded nine each
