IIT Bombay student’s suicide sparks debate on exam ethics, H C Verma calls it ‘more painful’

H C Verma, a renowned physicist and retired IIT Kanpur professor, today raised concerns about unethical exam culture and practices in the education system. His comments follow the death by suicide of Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, on September 18, 2026.

Verma described the situation as “very painful” and “more painful to see IIT students being so unethical in examination,” asserting that this issue is “not an isolated event.” The incident has intensified debates and protests regarding exam culture and student support mechanisms at the institution.

Concerns over Unethical Exam Practices

H C Verma flagged what he termed an “unethical” exam culture among students, stating that such practices are “not an isolated event.” He criticized the normalization of dummy and non-attending schools, alongside the routine awarding of practical examination marks without adequate practical participation. Verma highlighted that students can receive at least 28 out of 30 marks in practical examinations despite not attending laboratory classes, calling this a “gift” and an “unnatural lifestyle.”

Verma’s comments extend to broader questions about how students are prepared for competitive examinations and the role of schools, parents, and coaching systems. He stated that “the whole society must rethink the priorities” and that “social scientists should lead the campaign to make our young students feel proud to struggle but not compromise with ethics at any stage.”

Circumstances of Sahil Wakode’s Death

Sahil Wakode, a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, died by suicide on September 18, 2026. According to IIT Bombay, Wakode was found using a mobile phone in the examination hall and had uploaded the examination question paper on an AI platform to seek answers. IIT Bombay clarified that no disciplinary action had been initiated against Sahil Wakode before his death.

Following four consecutive days of student protests, the IIT Bombay Board of Governors asked Professor Suryanarayana Doolla to go on leave. Mumbai Police next registered an FIR against Professor Doolla based on a complaint filed by Wakode’s parents, who alleged that their son was subjected to caste-based discrimination by Professor Doolla. On Monday, IIT Bombay temporarily suspended Professor Doolla from his position as Dean of Administrative Affairs with immediate effect. The Mumbai Crime Branch is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Wakode’s death, examining CCTV footage and digital evidence.

Institutional Response and Faculty Solidarity

The IIT Bombay Board of Governors has constituted a 10-member high-level panel to examine the circumstances leading to Wakode’s death. This action came after student protests raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the incident. The IIT Bombay Faculty Forum, however, expressed solidarity with Professor Suryanarayana Doolla, stating that he was “merely discharging his academic duties.” A professor, quoting the Faculty Forum, stated that Wakode “was indulging in an academic malpractice.”

A previous copying incident at IIT Bombay involved a student caught with a smartphone. In that instance, teachers collected the phone, allowed the student to continue the exam, and protected his privacy, which resulted in the student submitting an apology and assurance against future malpractice.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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