IIT Bombay student dies by suicide after ChatGPT use during exam

A second-year IIT Bombay student died by suicide after he was found using a mobile phone to upload an examination paper to ChatGPT. Students later protested on campus, alleging possible disciplinary pressure, claims the institute has disputed.

Mumbai: A second-year student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay died by suicide after he was found using a mobile phone during an examination, triggering protests by students on the institute’s Powai campus. The incident took place on Friday evening and marks the third reported suicide at the IIT Powai campus in the past six months.

The deceased student was identified as Sahil Wakode, who was pursuing his second year in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. According to the institute, Wakode had uploaded an examination question paper to ChatGPT in an attempt to obtain answers while the test was underway.

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IIT Bombay said no disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against him following the incident. The matter was discussed with the student by the examination instructor and the Head of the Department. They counselled him and assured him that the incident would not have an adverse impact on his academic career, the institute said.

After the discussion, Wakode returned to his hostel room. He was subsequently found dead in the room later that evening.

In a statement, IIT Bombay expressed grief over the student’s death and said it was providing support to those affected by the incident.

“The Institute is extending support to the student’s friends, classmates, faculty members, and others affected by this tragic incident,” it said, adding that the circumstances surrounding the death were being examined by the appropriate authorities.

Following the incident, a group of students gathered on the campus and launched a protest, alleging that the administration had not disclosed all details surrounding the circumstances of the student’s death.

Some protesters claimed that Wakode had been threatened with a one-year suspension over the examination incident. They alleged that such a suspension could have required him to leave the hostel and stay outside the campus.

Students further claimed that disciplinary action of this nature could potentially have delayed completion of his engineering course beyond the standard four-year duration.

Protesting students alleged that the fear and pressure associated with possible disciplinary consequences may have played a role in the student’s death. However, these allegations have not been independently verified.

The protesters called for greater transparency and accountability from the institute’s administration.

“The reason for our protest is that a suicide took place in our college today. That is why we have gathered to protest and demand accountability, transparency, and answers from our administration,” a student said.

Another student claimed that several such incidents had occurred on campus this year and questioned whether sufficient steps were being taken to understand their causes.

Police personnel were deployed in large numbers on the campus following the protest. Discussions were also held between representatives of the students and the institute administration.

Senior police officer Dattatray Nalawade said an investigation into the student’s death was underway.

He said students had assembled to raise their concerns following the incident, while the IIT administration held talks with them in an effort to resolve the situation.