A second-year student of IIT Bombay died by suicide on Friday evening, September 18, 2026, hours after he was found using a mobile phone during an examination. According to a statement from the institute, the student had uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT in an attempt to seek answers during the test.
The student was pursuing a BTech programme in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. The incident has sparked concern across the IIT Bombay campus and prompted protests by students demanding greater transparency and accountability from the administration.
What Happened During the Exam?
According to IIT Bombay, the student was found using a mobile phone inside the examination hall. The institute said he had uploaded the examination question paper to ChatGPT to obtain answers.
The incident was subsequently discussed with the student by the instructor and the Head of the Department. IIT Bombay said he was counselled and assured that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career. The institute also clarified that no disciplinary action had been initiated against him at that stage.
The student later returned to his hostel room. He was subsequently found dead in his room that evening.
IIT Bombay Says Circumstances Are Being Investigated
Following the student’s death, IIT Bombay expressed its condolences and said it was extending support to his friends, classmates, faculty members and others affected by the tragedy.
The institute has also stated that the circumstances surrounding the student’s death are being examined by the appropriate authorities. Therefore, while the death occurred on the same day as the examination incident, the available official information does not establish that the ChatGPT incident was the direct cause of his death.
Students Protest on Campus
The incident triggered a protest at IIT Bombay, with reports saying more than 400 students gathered on campus. The ongoing mid-semester examinations were subsequently postponed following the incident.
The case has also intensified discussion around academic pressure, examination rules and the growing use of artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT by students.
The incident highlights the complicated challenges educational institutions face as AI tools become increasingly accessible. Colleges and universities are now having to consider how examination policies should address AI-assisted cheating while also ensuring that students receive appropriate support during stressful academic situations.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
