A second-year student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay died by suicide on Friday evening after an incident during an examination. The student belonged to the Department of Energy Science and Engineering.
According to IIT Bombay, the student was found using a mobile phone during the examination earlier that day. The institute said he had uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers.
The incident was followed by the student’s death in his hostel room. The circumstances surrounding the death are now being examined by the appropriate authorities.
Student Was Found Using Phone During Examination
The incident took place during an examination at IIT Bombay on September 18. The institute said officials found the student using a mobile phone inside the examination hall.
According to the institute’s account, the student had uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT. He reportedly used the AI platform to seek answers during the test.
The use of mobile phones during examinations raises academic integrity concerns. However, IIT Bombay said it did not initiate formal disciplinary action against the student following the incident.
IIT Bombay Says Student Was Counselled
Following the examination incident, the instructor and the Head of the Department discussed the matter with the student.
IIT Bombay said they counselled him during the discussion. They also assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
The student then returned to his hostel room. Later that evening, he was found dead in the room.
The institute expressed deep sadness over the student’s death. It also said that it was providing support to his friends, classmates, faculty members and others affected by the incident.
Authorities Investigate Circumstances of Death
The exact circumstances surrounding the student’s death remain under investigation.
IIT Bombay has stated that the appropriate authorities are looking into the matter. Police have also begun examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Reports have identified the student as Sahil Wakode, a second-year student from the Energy Science and Engineering department. However, details surrounding his personal circumstances and the reasons behind his death remain subject to investigation.
The sequence of events has led to public discussion about academic pressure, student welfare and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education.
Students Stage Protest on IIT Bombay Campus
The student’s death led to protests on the IIT Bombay campus.
More than 400 students reportedly gathered to express their concerns following the incident. Students demanded greater transparency and a detailed examination of the circumstances surrounding the death.
The protests also raised broader concerns about student welfare and mental health support on campus. The administration held discussions with student representatives following the demonstrations.
The ongoing mid-semester examinations were also postponed following the incident, according to reports from the campus.
Debate Over Academic Pressure and AI Use
The incident has brought renewed attention to two major issues in higher education: academic pressure and the use of artificial intelligence.
AI tools such as ChatGPT are increasingly used by students for learning, research and academic assistance. At the same time, their use during examinations can violate institutional rules when students use them to obtain answers.
Universities across the world are therefore facing the challenge of defining acceptable and unacceptable uses of generative AI. Institutions must balance academic integrity with the changing role of technology in education.
The IIT Bombay incident has added a deeply tragic dimension to that debate. It also highlights the importance of ensuring that students have access to timely support when they face academic difficulties or distress.
Mental Health Support Remains Important
Student mental health has become an important concern across higher education institutions. Competitive academic environments can involve demanding coursework, examinations and expectations.
However, the circumstances of an individual death cannot be established without a proper investigation. It would therefore be premature to conclude that the examination incident or the use of ChatGPT alone caused the student’s death.
The institute has said that the matter is being examined by the appropriate authorities. Further findings may provide more clarity about the events leading up to the tragedy.
IIT Bombay Extends Support to Students
IIT Bombay has said it is supporting students, faculty members and others affected by the death.
The incident has also prompted students to seek greater attention to mental health and student welfare. Their protests have brought these concerns into focus alongside questions about examination policies and the use of technology.
As the investigation continues, the campus community is dealing with the loss of a young student. The case has also renewed the discussion around academic integrity, responsible AI use and the need for accessible mental health support in educational institutions.
The circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation, and further official information is expected as authorities examine the case.