Caught cheating at IIT Bombay: What does the rulebook say about punishment?

The death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Ravindra Wakode has brought the institute's rules on academic malpractice, including the use of unauthorised devices during exams, into focus.

According to IIT Bombay's Senate-approved disciplinary framework issued in July 2026, possession or use of unauthorised material during an examination, including mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches and AI gadgets such as smart glasses, can attract an FR2 grade and one-semester academic suspension.

Wakode, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, was found dead in his hostel room on September 18, hours after he was caught using a mobile phone during an exam. IIT Bombay said he had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT for answers.

The institute said no disciplinary action had been initiated and that he was counselled by the instructor and head of department. Students alleged that he was threatened with suspension.

Following three days of protests, IIT Bombay Director Shireesh Kedare signed an 18-point student charter acknowledging the protesters' demands, including a call for his resignation. Action against the invigilating professor, however, remains subject to due process.WHAT DOES IIT BOMBAY'S RULEBOOK SAY?

IIT Bombay's document titled "Disciplinary actions for acts of academic malpractices", approved in July 2026, sets out the penalties for different forms of academic misconduct.

For cases that warrant punishment up to an FR grade, the matter can be handled by the Departmental Academic Disciplinary Action Committee (D-ADAC). Cases requiring a punishment higher than FR are forwarded to the Academic Disciplinary Action Committee (ADAC).

A student found verbally communicating with another student during an examination can be awarded an FR grade, according to the rulebook. WHAT IF A STUDENT IS CAUGHT WITH A MOBILE PHONE OR AI GADGET?

The rules are more stringent when a student is found possessing unauthorised materials or electronic devices.

The same provision also covers the use of electronic gadgets or unauthorised materials during bio-breaks while an examination is in progress. For these offences, the prescribed punishment is FR2 and academic suspension for one semester.WHAT DOES AN FR GRADE MEAN?

The rulebook lists FR as a disciplinary grade that can be awarded for several forms of academic malpractice. The July 2026 document separately specifies FR2 for possession or use of unauthorised material and electronic gadgets during examinations.

The disciplinary document itself does not provide a general explanatory definition of FR or FR2 beyond prescribing them as penalties for the listed offences.WHAT HAPPENS IF A STUDENT REPEATS THE OFFENCE?

The rules provide for stricter consequences in cases of repeat malpractice. According to the document, repeat offenders involved in any type of malpractice, or a combination of offences, will face a minimum of one semester of academic suspension.

The rulebook specifies how the suspension applies depending on the student's academic status. For students who are not in their final graduating semester, the suspension applies to the upcoming semester.

For graduating students who still have pending credit requirements, the suspension applies to the ongoing semester.

For graduating students without pending credit requirements, the award of the degree can be deferred. For incidents occurring between January and April, the degree is to be awarded in December. For incidents occurring between May and December, the degree is to be awarded in July of the following calendar year.

Can students appeal against disciplinary action?

The rulebook allows a student to appeal a decision of the D-ADAC or ADAC once.

The appeal must generally be filed within 10 working days of receiving the disciplinary decision.

An appointed committee reviews the appeal and can uphold, modify or overturn the original disciplinary action. Its decision is final, with no further appeal ordinarily permitted.WHAT ABOUT OTHER FORMS OF ACADEMIC MALPRACTICE?

The rulebook covers more than examination cheating.

For copying in home assignments, programming assignments and laboratory projects, the first offence can result in a formal written warning and zero marks in the relevant assignment or project. A repeat offence can attract a grade penalty.

The document also addresses plagiarism involving seminar reports, BTech and MTech projects and other reports. If a student reproduces material using AI tools or other sources without proper citations, while falsely claiming the content as original or falsifying experimental data, the case can result in an FR grade and re-registration for the course in the following semester. More serious cases can be referred to the ADAC.advertisementWHY THE RULES ARE BEING DISCUSSED AFTER SAHIL WAKODE'S DEATHWakode's death triggered protests at IIT Bombay, with students demanding a transparent investigation. His parents alleged harassment and caste-based discrimination, while IIT Bombay denied the allegations and said that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him.

The case has brought renewed attention to the institute's academic malpractice rules, which prescribe a one-semester suspension for possession or use of unauthorised electronic devices during exams. IIT Bombay said this punishment was not imposed on Wakode.

The controversy has therefore put the institute's academic malpractice framework and its implementation under greater public scrutiny, even as the investigation into Wakode's death continues.- EndsPublished By: Apoorva AnandPublished On: Sep 21, 2026 09:03 ISTREAD | IIT Bombay suicide: SC/ST Act invoked after parents allege caste discriminationREAD | My son was killed: IIT Bombay student's mother alleges torture, cops file case