IIT Bombay student takes his own life after alleged AI-use in exam; no disciplinary action, says institute

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has issued an official statement after a second-year student from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering died by suicide on September 18, 2026. During an examination earlier that day, the student was found with a mobile phone and had added the question paper to an artificial intelligence platform to fetch the answers, the institute said.

According to the officials of IIT Bombay, no disciplinary action was taken against the second-year student after the incident. The Head of the Department and instructor had discussed the issue with the student. They counselled him and also gave assurance that the incident would not have any adverse effect on his academic career.

After the exam, the student came back to his hostel room and was found dead later, IIT Bombay said. Many students had gathered at the campus and asked for a detailed probe into what caused the suicide. The students also raised allegations that the institute authorities are not focusing on mental health concerns.

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IIT Bombay extends support

“IIT Bombay is deeply saddened by the loss of a student,” the institute said in its statement. The institute has expressed its condolences and said it has given all possible support to the student’s friends, classmates, faculty members and others who are affected by the death. 

According to the official statement, IIT Bombay said, “The circumstances surrounding the death are being looked into by the appropriate authorities.” The institute, however, did not mention that the examination incident or the use of ChatGPT was the cause of the student’s death. IIT Bombay’s official statement said that the examination-related matter was addressed through a discussion and no disciplinary proceedings were started.

The incident points out that there is a growing presence of generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT in educational institutions, including in examinations. Further details related to the circumstances of the death will emerge as appropriate authorities examine the matter.