A second-year student of IIT Bombay’s Energy Science and Engineering department died by suicide on Friday evening, hours after being found using a mobile phone during an examination. The incident led to a protest by more than 400 students and prompted ponement of ongoing mid-semester examinations.
According to IIT Bombay, the student had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT. The institute said no action had been taken against the student in connection with that matter. Police said the examination ended at 4 pm, after which the student went to the hostel room. The student was later found dead there.
The body was sent to Rajawadi Hospital for a -mortem examination. The police inquiry is continuing.
Student protest and exam ponement
News of the death was followed by a demonstration by students near the administration. Director Prof. Shirish Kedare met the protesting students after the demonstration.
The institute subsequently poned the mid-semester examinations that were in progress. IIT Bombay expressed grief over the death and said it was providing support to the student’s friends, faculty members and others affected by the incident.
The incident has also drawn attention to reported student deaths at the Powai campus. The article records a second-year student’s death in Hostel 4 in February 2026, followed by the death of a 20-year-old second-year BTech student in Hostel 4 in July 2026. It also refers to a student’s death on 18 September 2026 after a dispute connected with an examination.
The article describes the latest incident as the third suicide case at IIT Bombay’s campus in 7 months. A related report describes it as the fourth suicide at the institute this year. These counts differ, and the number of cases is therefore not presented as settled here.
Mental-health support at IIT Bombay
IIT Bombay has a Student Wellness Centre (SWC) for students seeking personal counselling and help with stress. Students can request an appointment by emailing wellness@iitb.ac.in or calling 022-2576-9070.
The article identifies persistent irritability, withdrawing from studies, remaining isolated in a room, eating or sleeping less, and repeatedly expressing hopelessness as signs of severe mental stress. The centre is intended to provide counselling and stress-related support.
Conclusion
The student’s death has led to a police inquiry, student protests and ponement of mid-semester examinations. IIT Bombay has said it is supporting people affected by the incident, while the reported case count remains inconsistent across the coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happened at IIT Bombay?
A second-year Energy Science and Engineering student died by suicide on Friday evening after being found using a mobile phone during an examination.
Q. What did IIT Bombay say about ChatGPT?
The institute said the student had uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT. It also said no action had been taken against the student in that matter.
Q. What was the response from students?
More than 400 students protested near the administration. Director Prof. Shirish Kedare later met the students.
Q. Were examinations poned?
Yes. The ongoing mid-semester examinations were poned after the student protest.
Q. Where was the body sent?
The body was sent to Rajawadi Hospital for a -mortem examination.
Q. What mental-health support is available at IIT Bombay?
The Student Wellness Centre offers personal counselling and stress-related support. Appointments can be requested at wellness@iitb.ac.in or 022-2576-9070.
Q. Is the reported number of suicide cases clear?
No. one account describes the latest incident as the third case in 7 months, while related coverage calls it the fourth case this year.
