IIT Bombay’s New Exam Protocol Gives Students a Fair Hearing and Counsellor Support

IIT Bombay has implemented a revised examination protocol since July, which was further backed by its Senate in October. The new procedure allows students accused of academic misconduct, such as using a phone during an exam, to complete their paper, present their side of events later, and receive immediate support from a counsellor. This shift pauses harsher penalties and prioritizes student well-being.

The review of exam procedures began following the death by suicide of Sahil Ravindra Wakode, a second-year BTech student, on September 18, hours after he was allegedly caught using a mobile phone and ChatGPT during a mid-semester exam. Campus protests ensued, leading the institute to form an eight-member committee, comprising four faculty members and four students, to examine its handling of academic misconduct. An interim report was presented to a special Senate meeting on October 7.

Under the interim protocol, an invigilator confiscates unauthorized material and records the incident, but the student continues the exam with a fresh answer booklet. The decision on the incident's implications transfers to the Departmental Disciplinary Action Committee (DDAC), removing immediate judgment in the exam hall. Students can also separately record their version of events. Crucially, the institute’s Quick Response Team (QRT) of counsellors is alerted when a student leaves the hall, ensuring support is available, with faculty also mandated to alert the QRT for signs of exam stress.

The Senate has temporarily reverted to its April 2015 framework for mid-semester exams held on October 10 and 11, suspending the stricter July 2026 rules. The 2015 rules offer a more lenient approach, reserving suspension mainly for serious offenses like mass copying, and allowing for the benefit of the doubt. Future proposals include CCTV monitoring, controlled bio-breaks, and an end to routine physical frisking, alongside a joint committee drafting SOPs for students to consult mentors and wellness advisers before formal disciplinary action.

Why it matters: This protocol fosters a more supportive and equitable environment for students facing academic misconduct allegations, emphasizing mental health and due process.

Editor's note: This is a comprehensive and well-structured report that effectively synthesizes all provided sources, including specific procedural changes, historical context, and dates.