A tragic incident at IIT Bombay has triggered protests on campus and raised questions about academic pressure, student welfare and the use of artificial intelligence during examinations. A second-year student from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering died by suicide on September 18, hours after he was reportedly found using a mobile phone during an examination.
According to IIT Bombay’s official statement, the student had uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT to seek answers during the test. The institute has specifically said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him and that he was counselled by the instructor and the Head of Department.
What Happened During the Examination?
The student was reportedly caught using a mobile phone inside the examination hall. IIT Bombay said he had used the device to upload the examination paper to ChatGPT and seek assistance with the questions.
The matter was subsequently discussed with him by the concerned instructor and the Head of the Department. According to the institute, he was counselled and assured that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career.
He later returned to his hostel room. The institute said that he was found dead there later that evening. Mumbai Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.
Students Raise Questions Over One-Year Suspension Claim
Following the death, students gathered on the IIT Bombay campus and staged protests, demanding transparency and accountability from the administration.
Some protesting students alleged that the student had been threatened with a one-year suspension following the examination incident. They claimed such disciplinary action could have affected his academic timeline and required him to leave the hostel.
However, IIT Bombay has denied that disciplinary proceedings had been initiated, saying the student was instead counselled and assured that the incident would not harm his academic career. The claim about a proposed suspension has not been independently established.
More Than 400 Students Join Campus Protest
The incident led to a large gathering of students on campus. Reports said more than 400 students participated in the protest, with students questioning how the administration handled the situation.
The ongoing mid-semester examinations were also postponed following the incident, according to reports from the campus. The institute has said it is extending support to the student's friends, classmates, faculty members and others affected by the tragedy.
AI Use in Exams Becomes a Major Concern
The incident has also brought renewed attention to the growing role of AI tools such as ChatGPT in education. While generative AI is increasingly being used by students for learning, research and academic assistance, using such tools during an examination without permission can violate examination rules.
The IIT Bombay case has highlighted the difficult questions institutions face while dealing with AI-related academic misconduct, particularly regarding disciplinary procedures, student counselling and communication.
At present, the circumstances surrounding the student's death remain under investigation. IIT Bombay's official position is that no disciplinary action was initiated against him, while some students have presented a different account of what happened after he was caught using his phone.
The incident has consequently sparked a wider conversation about academic integrity, responsible AI use and the need for effective student-support systems within educational institutions.
Note: This article deliberately avoids presenting the ChatGPT incident as the sole or confirmed cause of the student's death. The available reports contain differing accounts, and the circumstances remain under investigation.
