IIT-Bombay has introduced interim rules for handling suspected cheating during mid-semester examinations on October 10 and 11 (Sahil, wearing what appears to be a black T-shirt and light-coloured trousers, is seen seated on the first bench in the middle of the hall.)
MUMBAI: No frisking, a fresh answer book if a student is caught allegedly cheating, and an immediate counsellor alert are among the key provisions of IIT-Bombay’s interim procedure for handling suspected academic misconduct during the pending mid-semester examinations on October 10 and 11. Sources said the group spent about 30 hours preparing the interim procedure.
A source said the forms were intended only to collect information and did not amount to the filing of charges against a student. A copy of which is with TOI, faculty members who suspect cheating or notice signs of stress in a student must alert a quick response team (QRT) of counsellors, according to the interim rules report. Sources said the suspension would not apply to a first offence under the interim arrangement. Sources said the new arrangement would “ease the burden on faculty handling suspected cheating”, with professional counsellors providing support. Clear instructions will be shared with invigilators before the weekend examinations, a source said.
The final decision would rest with the disciplinary committee. Wednesday’s meeting was opened to all faculty members, beyond the Senate’s membership, to seek suggestions on the interim procedure. The objective is to provide immediate support while minimising disturbance to the student concerned and others appearing for the examination. Invigilators have been instructed to collect unauthorised material, including chits, phones, electronic devices and answer papers, with minimal conversation and disruption. They may photograph material that has to be returned, such as a phone. If there is a doubt about a student’s identity, the invigilator may also photograph the student at their desk. Repeat offences, however, would attract suspension. Use of phones, chits, books or other unauthorised material during toilet or bio-breaks would continue to attract an FR grade and a semester suspension. The disciplinary committee, however, will determine the outcome of each case. The drafting committee comprised Profs Suvarn Kulkarni, Pratibha Sharma, Varsha Apte and Amitava De, along with four student representatives.
No security frisking before exams
Faculty members had questioned searches resembling airport-style security checks, saying they could create an impression that every student was being treated as a “suspect”. “We want to convey we trust our students, though we will verify by doing thorough invigilation,” said a faculty member. Another source said an invigilator who suspected a student could call a counsellor and ask the student to empty their pockets. The report states that the institute’s objective is to “create an environment conducive to quality teaching and learning while maintaining assessment integrity”.
Security guards will no longer frisk students before examinations under the interim procedure. Students will also have the right to appeal before an institute committee. Disciplinary action will follow if unauthorised practices are established. Its default assumption is that students are committed to learning and following examination rules.
The case will subsequently be placed before the departmental disciplinary action committee (DDAC), which will decide how it should proceed. Faculty members and students may be required to appear before the committee and provide additional information. The report also states that disciplinary proceedings must give students a fair opportunity to present their viewpoint before the departmental committee. Students may also now bring bags into the examination building, reversing the earlier restriction, but they will have to leave them outside the examination hall.
The institute’s Senate, at an emergency meeting on Wednesday, put its July 2026 rules on penalties for academic misconduct on hold and decided to revert to the milder April 2015 policy for the two examinations. IIT-Bombay had subsequently postponed examinations scheduled for September 26 and 27 after faculty members sought a clear standard operating procedure for dealing with suspected malpractice. Under the April 2015 guidelines, using a mobile phone during an examination attracted an FR (fail-repeat) grade. The July 2026 policy had added a semester-long suspension. As per the academic calendar approved by the Senate, end-semester examinations are scheduled over 13 days from November 10 to 21 and will also be held on Saturdays and Sundays.
The signed faculty form, collected material, original answer book and the student’s form, if submitted, will then be handed over to the head of the department conducting the course. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai Stay updated with the latest Mumbai news. Under the interim arrangement, faculty members can record suspected dishonesty in a prescribed form, while students will have the option of submitting their own written account on a separate form. The revision comes in the wake of the death by suicide of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode, who was allegedly found copying by an invigilator. Under the new interim procedure, two separate forms will be used when cheating is suspected. One will be completed by the faculty member, while the student may optionally submit a written account of their version of events. The DDAC will meet only a week after the entire examination season concludes. The original answer book will be collected, but the student will be allowed to continue writing the examination in a fresh answer book for the remaining time. After the examination, the invigilator may complete the prescribed form and offer the student an opportunity to record their version at a designated venue in the presence of additional staff. Digital material may be emailed, while phones will be returned after the examination. Students will have to acknowledge receipt of their phones by signing the form. The QRT helpline must be alerted for counselling whenever a student leaves the examination hall. Download the TOI App.