IIT Bombay scraps stricter cheating rules, restores original ‘student-friendly’ norms after campus suicide

Weeks after the death of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakhode, Indian Institute of Bombay (IIT) in a senate meeting held on Wednesday, reverted to its original rules on disciplinary action and procedure against cheating in an exam, and shelved a stricter code drafted in July 2026.

The original set of rules adopted by the institute in 2015 were student-friendly, a faculty member who attended the emergency senate meeting held to discuss the regulations told Careers360 .

The recommendations of the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programme Committee (UGPGPC), discussed at the October 6 meeting, state that a student found indulging in an unauthorised academic practice will continue the examination on a fresh answer book and will be given an opportunity to record their version of events along with filling a form. However, the provision of filling the form has been made a “choice”, the faculty member said, on condition of anonymity.

“The only addition is that the faculty has to fill a form which was not there in the 2015 rules. The student form is not compulsory. So if the student says they do not want to fill the form, we treat them with dignity and trust them. They have a choice to refute,” the faculty member added.

Sahil died by suicide after he was found in his hostel on Sepetmer 18. The reports alleged that Sahil was found with a mobile phone using ChatGPT in the examination. In the aftermath, Sahil’s parents also filed an FIR in Powai police against invigilator Suryanarayana Doolla and the head of the department. IIT Bombay also postponed the mid-term semester to October 10-11.

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IIT Bombay Suicide: Shift towards students needs

The faculty member said found the mood on campus has shifted. “The emotion has shifted towards being sensitive to students. Earlier the faculty forum mobilised everyone and caused panic over students filing legal cases. But now all that has been dropped. We are largely going back to 2015 rules,” the faculty member said.

The faculty member also alleged that some practices during the examination, including frisking and the intervention of squads, were never part of the earlier rules. “All the draconian frisking, sudden barging in of squads, and whatever Professor Doolla did, including pulling the student out of the class, were not part of the rules ever. He took the confession, all that is misplaced, and it was never part of the rules,” the faculty member said.

During the mid-semester examinations, a new set of rules were floated amongst the faculty which included a one-semester suspension along with a failed- repeat penalty for copying.

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IIT Bombay: Lack of student voices

Despite student representatives on the committee, students on campus feel they don't represent the real issues of students. A student from IIT Bombay campus, on condition of anonymity stated, “We know that informally student representatives are speaking the language of administration and not voicing student issues.” Another faculty added, “Students have stated that the student representatives in these committees are students of Doolla which is creating a bias and they don't trust the committee.”

There has been a massive student protests at the IIT Bombay in the aftermath of Sahil’s death demanding quick action against the professor, due to which Doolla was sent on leave for “impartial probe”.

An internal committee has been formulated to look into Sahil’s case whose report is expected to be submitted in 10 days.

If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. Those in distress or having suicidal thoughts or tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling 9820466726 or visiting AASRA’s official website or can call iCALL on 9152987821. Here are some more helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.