The death prompts protests as students and institute officials offer differing accounts of what followed the incident
Published : 19 Sep 2026, 11:37 AM
A second-year student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has died by suicide after being caught allegedly using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during an examination, Indian broadcaster NDTV reports.
The student, identified as Sahil Wakode of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, allegedly uploaded an examination question paper to the AI tool during the test.
Institute officials said no formal disciplinary action had been initiated against Wakode.
They said he was counselled by his course instructor and the head of department, who assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
He later returned to his hostel room, where he was found dead.
In a statement cited by NDTV, IIT Bombay said: “The Institute is extending support to the student’s friends, classmates, faculty members, and others affected by this tragic incident. The circumstances surrounding the death are being looked into by the appropriate authorities.”
The death prompted protests on the IIT Powai campus.
Students taking part in the protests challenged the institute’s account, alleging that Wakode had been threatened with a one-year suspension and eviction from campus.
They said such a penalty would have extended his degree programme and caused him severe distress.
NDTV reported that this was the third student suicide at the campus in seven months, following two earlier deaths in February and July 2026.
Police were deployed to the campus as discussions between the administration and student representatives continued.
DCP Dattatray Nalawade said an investigation was under way.
