IIT Bombay student found dead in hostel; institute says had been caught using mobile phone during exam

A 22-year-old student at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) was found deceased in his hostel room, having been allegedly caught using his mobile phone during an examination, according to police. The second-year student, pursuing a degree in Energy Science and Engineering, took his own life on Friday evening, September 18, 2026.

IIT Bombay stated that the student committed suicide after being found using a mobile phone during an exam and subsequently uploading the question paper to ChatGPT for assistance. The institute emphasized that no disciplinary action was taken against the student, who was instead counseled by an instructor and the Head of the Department, assuring that the incident would not negatively impact his academic record.

The student subsequently returned to his hostel room but was found dead later in the evening. The death marks the third suicide case reported at the IIT Bombay campus in Powai within a seven-month period. In February, a second-year student also died by suicide in a hostel, while in July 2026, a 20-year-old second-year BTech student took his life at the beginning of a new semester.

IIT Bombay expressed deep sorrow over the loss and assured that they were providing support to the student's friends, classmates, faculty members, and others affected by the tragic incident. No note was found at the scene, and the Powai police registered the death as an accidental case, sending the body for a post-mortem examination.

Authorities are conducting further investigations to determine the motive behind the suicide. Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available through the State's health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.