IIT Bombay Clarifies ChatGPT Exam Incident and Student Support Measures
IIT Bombay denied starting disciplinary action after a student used ChatGPT during an exam, while protests raised questions about transparency and student support.
Content note: This article discusses suicide and may be difficult for some readers.
IIT Bombay has said that no disciplinary action was started against a second-year student who was found using a mobile phone during an examination. The student, Sahil Wakode, was later found dead in his hostel room on the same day.
The incident has led to questions about exam rules, the use of ChatGPT, student stress, and the way colleges handle academic misconduct. It has also led to protests on the Powai campus.
What happened during the examination?
According to IIT Bombay, Wakode was found using a mobile phone inside the examination hall. The institute said he had uploaded the exam question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers during the test.
Using a phone during an exam breaks standard examination rules. It can also raise concerns about unfair help and the use of artificial intelligence in academic work. ChatGPT may answer questions, but it cannot replace a student’s own work or make exam rules disappear.
After the incident, the student spoke with the course instructor and the Head of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. The institute said they counselled him and told him that the matter would not harm his academic career.
What did IIT Bombay say?
In its statement, IIT Bombay said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against the student. The institute also said he returned to his hostel room after the discussion.
Later that evening, he was found dead in the room. The institute expressed grief and said it was supporting his friends, classmates, faculty members, and others affected by the loss. It added that the relevant authorities were examining the circumstances surrounding the death.
The institute’s statement is important because reports had claimed that the student faced a possible one-year suspension. IIT Bombay has said that no such disciplinary action had begun. At the time of reporting, there was no independent confirmation that a suspension had been issued or formally decided.
Why were students protesting?
Students began a protest on the campus after the death. They said the administration had not shared the full account of what happened.
Some students claimed that Wakode had been threatened with a one-year suspension. They said this could have forced him to leave the hostel and live outside the campus. They also said that a suspension might have delayed his degree by a year or more.
These claims have not been independently verified. Students said they wanted transparency, accountability, and answers from the institute. Their concerns also point to a wider issue: how colleges can enforce rules while giving students a fair process and access to mental health support.
Why careful reporting matters
After a suicide, people often search for one clear reason. In many cases, the facts do not support a simple answer. A disciplinary concern, fear about studies, personal problems, health concerns, or other pressures may overlap.
It is not safe to claim that one event caused a person’s death unless an official investigation establishes that link. Reports should also avoid sharing graphic details, private messages, or rumours. Such details can hurt grieving families and may affect vulnerable readers.
Students who face an exam violation need clear information about the process. They should know what rule was involved, what response is possible, and how they can seek help. Faculty members and institutions also need to treat distress as a health concern, not just a conduct issue.
Where students can seek help
If you feel overwhelmed, speak to a trusted friend, family member, teacher, counsellor, or mental health professional. Do not stay alone if you feel that you may harm yourself. Move away from anything you could use to hurt yourself and ask someone to stay with you.
- Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health: 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com
- TISS iCall: 022-25521111, Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 10 pm
- Immediate danger: Contact local emergency services or go to the nearest hospital.
If someone you know is struggling, listen without judging, take their words seriously, and help them reach a trained professional. You do not need to solve the whole problem alone. Sometimes the most useful first step is staying present and making one call.
