IIT Bombay may put one-semester suspension rule for exam malpractice on hold

The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay may put its current provision of one-semester academic suspension for examination malpractice on hold as the institute reviews how cases of unfair means are handled.

The issue is expected to be discussed at a special Senate meeting on Oct 7, following a review of IIT Bombay's examination misconduct procedures by a committee constituted after the Sep 18 death of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode.

The proposed change would potentially bring the institute closer to its earlier 2015 examination guidelines, under which suspension was not an automatic consequence of every copying case.

According to reports citing institute sources, suspension under the earlier framework was primarily associated with serious cases such as mass cheating, repeat offences and impersonation.

What the 2026 rules prescribe

IIT Bombay introduced a revised disciplinary framework in 2026. Under the rules, students found using or possessing unauthorised material or electronic devices during an examination can face an FR2 grade and one semester of academic suspension.

The provisions cover items including chits and unauthorised notes as well as electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and smartwatches. The framework also addresses other forms of malpractice, including the use of unauthorised material during examination breaks. Repeat offences can attract a minimum one-semester suspension.

The rules were approved in 2026 before the institute's mid-semester examinations. The issue subsequently came under scrutiny following the death of Wakode, who died by suicide on Sep 18 after an incident involving alleged examination malpractice. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.

IIT Bombay had earlier said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against Wakode and that the incident had been discussed with him by the instructor and head of department, who counselled him. A police investigation and an institute-level inquiry are underway.

Possible return to earlier framework

The 2015 framework followed a different approach to suspected malpractice.

Under that procedure, when an invigilator detected unfair means, the unauthorised material was to be confiscated and the student could continue the examination using a fresh answer book. The case would then be reported and examined through the institute's disciplinary process.

The earlier system also provided for consideration of the evidence before disciplinary action was determined. If the evidence did not establish the student's involvement in malpractice, the benefit of doubt was to be given to the student.

Under the possible revision now being considered, the institute could retain elements of this process while reconsidering whether a semester-long suspension should automatically follow particular forms of examination misconduct.

Committee reviewing examination procedures

The institute had constituted a committee to examine its rules and procedures for dealing with examination misconduct. The review has included consideration of how invigilators should respond when they suspect a student of using unfair means and how disciplinary decisions should subsequently be taken.

The committee has also been considering a more clearly defined procedure involving academic and student-support officials before a final disciplinary decision is made.

The proposed changes are expected to be placed before the Senate, IIT Bombay's highest academic authority, for consideration. The Senate's decision will determine whether the existing one-semester suspension provision remains in force or is modified.

Mid-semester examinations postponed

The review of examination procedures also came as IIT Bombay postponed its mid-semester examinations following protests after Wakode's death.

The examinations originally scheduled for Sep 26 and 27 were rescheduled for Oct 10 and 11, with the institute using the intervening period to work on examination procedures and related guidelines.

The latest review therefore concerns not only the punishment attached to examination malpractice but also the procedure followed when a student is suspected of violating examination rules.

As of Oct 7, the one-semester suspension provision remains part of the 2026 framework. Any change would depend on the outcome of the Senate's deliberations.