After Sahil Wakode’s Death, IIT Bombay Weighs Changes to Disciplinary Process and Mentor Support

In the wake of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode’s death, the institute is reviewing how cases of suspected examination malpractice are handled.

A newly formed committee is considering several changes, including allowing students to consult their mentors before facing disciplinary proceedings. Another proposal under discussion is to print the rules governing examination malpractice and the possible penalties on the first page of answer sheets. The measures are part of a wider effort to revise the institute’s procedures for dealing with academic misconduct.

The committee, comprising equal numbers of faculty members and students, will draft student-friendly Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for invigilators and review the existing process for handling suspected violations.

NEW COMMITTEE TO REVIEW EXAM MISCONDUCT RULES

The committee was constituted days after Wakode, a second-year BTech student, died following an incident during the mid-semester examinations. IIT Bombay had said he was allegedly found with a mobile phone in the examination hall and was allegedly using an AI platform to obtain answers.

The development also comes after students included a demand for greater student representation in decision-making bodies in an 18-point charter submitted to the institute’s director on September 20.

In an email, IIT Bombay’s General Secretary (Academics) said the new committee would work on clear, step-by-step procedures for invigilators dealing with suspected academic misconduct. The revised SOPs and rules will be submitted to the Senate for approval before implementation.

The institute has also postponed the remaining mid-semester examinations again. The exams, which had earlier been rescheduled for September 26 and 27, will now take place on October 10 and 11.

STUDENTS MAY GET ACCESS TO MENTORS

One of the proposals being considered is to give students accused of examination malpractice an opportunity to speak with their student mentors before appearing before a disciplinary committee.

At IIT Bombay, freshers are assigned senior student mentors who can guide them through campus life. A source said this support could be particularly useful when a student is facing the stress of a disciplinary case.

The idea is to help students understand the process, reflect on what happened and avoid feeling isolated while they await further action.

The institute is also reviewing the disciplinary rules for academic malpractice notified in July 2026. While those rules prescribe consequences for different forms of misconduct, the new committee is expected to focus on how the rules are implemented.

MALPRACTICE RULES COULD APPEAR ON ANSWER SHEETS

The committee is also discussing a proposal to place the rules and possible consequences of examination malpractice on the first page of answer sheets.

According to a source, some students may not be fully aware of the consequences of violating examination rules. Providing the information directly on the answer sheet could help students understand the potential academic implications and also act as a deterrent.

Faculty members have separately called for clearer instructions for invigilators on conducting examinations and responding to suspected cases of misconduct.

IIT Bombay is also reminding students about the mental health support and counselling resources available on campus.

The proposed changes are still under discussion and will require Senate approval before they are formally introduced.