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

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The death is the third reported case of suicide at the IIT Bombay campus in Powai in seven months. File | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

A 22-year-old student of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay was found dead in his hostel room after he was allegedly caught using his mobile phone during an examination, police said on Saturday (September 19, 2026).

As per IIT Bombay, the second-year student of the Department of Energy Science and Engineering died by suicide on Friday (September 18, 2026) evening.

#IITBombay said a second-year Energy Science and Engineering student died by suicide after being caught using a mobile phone during an exam and uploading the question paper to ChatGPT for answers. The institute said no disciplinary action was taken and the student was counselled… pic.twitter.com/WDZY0hHzJJ

“Earlier in the day, during an examination, the student was found using a mobile phone in the exam hall. He had uploaded the examination question paper on ChatGPT to seek answers,” the institute said, adding that no disciplinary action was initiated against the student.

“The matter was also discussed with the student by the instructor and the Head of the Department, who counselled him and assured him that the incident would not adversely affect his academic career. The student subsequently returned to his hostel room. Later in the evening, he was found dead,” the statement read further.

The death is the third reported case of suicide at the IIT Bombay campus in Powai in seven months.

In February, a second-year student died by suicide in a hostel. In July 2026, at the beginning of the new semester, a 20-year-old second-year BTech student also died by suicide.

“IIT Bombay is deeply saddened by the loss of a student. The Institute is extending support to the student’s friends, classmates, faculty members, and others affected by this tragic incident. The circumstances surrounding the death are being looked into by the appropriate authorities,” the institute said.

No note was recovered from the spot, a police official said, adding that the Powai police have registered an accidental death report (ADR) and sent the body for a post-mortem examination.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the motive behind the extreme step, he said.

( Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416. and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050)

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