The IIT Bombay exam protocol for suspected cheating cases could undergo significant changes under interim recommendations presented to the institute’s Senate. The proposed procedure would allow a student suspected of using unfair means to complete the examination after the incident has been documented.
The recommendations were prepared by an eight-member committee comprising four faculty members and four students. The committee was constituted following the September 18 death by suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode.
Under the proposed process, an invigilator who detects suspected cheating would seize the relevant material, document the incident and provide the student with a fresh answer booklet to continue the examination. Further disciplinary proceedings would be handled by the Disciplinary Action Committee rather than the invigilator.
Students Can Record Their Version
The proposed procedure would also give students an opportunity to provide their account of what happened after the examination.
The invigilator would document the incident using a prescribed form, while the student could submit a separate statement in the presence of additional staff.
The committee has also recommended alerting IIT Bombay’s Quick Response Team (QRT) helpline when the student leaves the examination hall. The measure is intended to ensure that a student involved in a malpractice case is not left alone immediately after the examination.
Stricter July Penalties Put on Hold
The Senate has meanwhile decided to temporarily return to IIT Bombay’s 2015 examination misconduct rules, putting the stricter penalties introduced in July on hold.
Under the July rules, carrying a mobile phone into an examination could result in an FR, or “fail and repeat”, grade and a semester’s suspension. Under the earlier 2015 rules, carrying a phone attracted a one-grade penalty, while using one could result in an FR grade.
The changes follow student protests after Wakode was allegedly found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination on September 18 and died by suicide later that day.
Proposed Security Measures Inside Exam Halls
The committee has also suggested tighter examination-hall controls. These include prohibiting mobile phones, smartwatches, earphones, bags, books and notes inside examination buildings.
Other proposed measures include CCTV monitoring, allowing only one student at a time to leave for a bio-break and closing examination-hall entry 30 minutes after the paper begins.
| Cheating detected | Student can complete the exam with a fresh answer booklet |
| Student’s version | Student gets an opportunity to explain the incident |
| Disciplinary action | Disciplinary committee handles further proceedings |
| Student support | QRT helpline alerted after the student leaves |
| Penalties | 2015 rules temporarily restored |
| Electronic devices | Phones, smartwatches and earphones banned |
| Monitoring | CCTV monitoring proposed |
| Bio-breaks | One student allowed out at a time |
| Late entry | No entry after 30 minutes |
| Status | Recommendations remain interim |
The recommendations are not yet final. Senate members broadly supported the committee’s report but suggested changes, with final guidelines expected after those suggestions are considered.
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