IIT Bombay Senate reverts to 2015 exam malpractice rules after student protests

IIT Bombay's Senate has decided to return to its 2015 examination rules for dealing with unfair means, giving students a chance to explain their side before facing action. The decision follows a two-and-a-half-hour meeting attended by faculty and student representatives after a committee reviewed current procedures following a student's death on September 18.

The Rule Changes

Under rules introduced in July 2026, students caught using unfair means could get an FR2 grade and a one-semester suspension for possessing items like mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches, or unauthorized material. The 2015 guidelines limited suspension mainly to serious situations such as mass copying, repeat offences, and impersonation, with penalties based on the seriousness of the case. The older process involved an invigilator seizing confiscated material, letting the student finish the exam with a fresh answer book, and sending a report to the department head. A departmental committee then reviewed the evidence, giving students the benefit of the doubt if evidence was unclear.

New Process Additions

The Senate added a new form requiring faculty to record details of alleged malpractice before taking action. Students now receive an opportunity to record their version of events through a form, though filling it out remains optional rather than compulsory. A joint committee with equal faculty and student representation is also creating new Standard Operating Procedures that let students consult mentors and wellness advisors before formal action begins.

Context

The review comes after widespread student protests regarding exam disciplinary proceedings and the treatment of students. Faculty members noted that recent practices like frisking and sudden interventions by exam squads were absent from the 2015 procedure. Meanwhile, the Senate also approved an academic calendar featuring 13 days of examinations from November 10 to 21, including weekends.