IIT Bombay Revises Cheating Rules: Students Can Finish Exams Even After Being Caught
IIT Bombay has proposed a new procedure for handling suspected cheating during exams. Students will be allowed to complete their papers and explain their side before disciplinary action is taken.
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) has proposed changes to its examination rules to improve the way suspected cases of cheating are handled. According to media reports, under the proposed procedure, students caught allegedly using unfair means will be allowed to complete their examination with a fresh answer booklet. The institute’s Quick Response Team (QRT) will also be alerted after the student leaves the examination hall.
The recommendations were made by an eight-member committee comprising four faculty members and four students. The committee was formed after the September 18 death by suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode. It presented its interim report at a special meeting of the IIT Bombay Senate on October 7.
IIT Bombay’s New Exam Rules: What Changes For Students?
Under the proposed procedure, if an invigilator suspects a student of cheating, they will collect the material allegedly used for malpractice and record the incident. The student will then be allowed to continue writing the examination in a fresh answer booklet.
The invigilator’s role will be limited to recording the incident and collecting relevant material. Further proceedings will be handled by the Disciplinary Action Committee. The student will also get an opportunity to explain their side after the examination. The invigilator will record the incident using a prescribed form, while the student can submit their own account in the presence of additional staff.
The QRT helpline will be alerted when the student leaves the examination hall. The aim is to ensure that students involved in such incidents receive support and are not left alone immediately after the examination.
IIT Bombay Puts Stricter Cheating Penalties On Hold
The IIT Bombay Senate has also decided to put the stricter examination misconduct rules introduced in July 2026 on hold and temporarily return to the 2015 rules.
Under the July rules, a student found carrying a mobile phone into an examination could receive an FR, or “fail and repeat”, grade and face suspension for a semester. Under the 2015 rules, carrying a phone attracted a one-grade penalty, while using it could lead to an FR grade.
The decision follows student protests after Wakode allegedly was found using a mobile phone during a mid-semester examination on September 18. He died by suicide later that day.
New Security Measures Proposed For Examination Halls
The committee has also proposed tighter rules for examination halls. Mobile phones, smartwatches, earphones and other electronic devices, along with bags, books and notes, would not be allowed inside examination buildings.
Other proposed measures include CCTV monitoring, allowing only one student at a time to leave the examination hall for a bio-break, and closing entry 30 minutes after an examination begins.
The recommendations are still interim. Senate members have suggested changes, and the final guidelines are expected to be prepared after these suggestions are considered.
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Anjali is an education journalist with over a year of experience in digital and business journalism. She has previously worked with BW Businessworld and ANI, where she gained experience in news writing, editing, research, and fact-checking. At Jagran Josh, she writes education news and covers competitive exams and current affairs, with a keen interest in delivering accurate, informative, and reader-focused content. She holds a BA from Miranda House, University of Delhi, and a postgraduate diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). Anjali enjoys reading and exploring new ideas and perspectives through books.
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