IIT Bombay’s Senate on Wednesday decided to go back to its 2015 rules dealing with unfair means during examinations, giving students a fair opportunity to explain their side before disciplinary action is initiated, officials who attended the meeting said.
The rules cover the use or possession of unauthorised material and electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets and smartwatches. Repeat cases can also attract suspension. The decision was taken after a discussion of around two-and-a-half hours at the Senate meeting, attended by faculty and student representatives. “The emotion has shifted towards being sensitive to students. However, filling the student’s form will not be compulsory. The student form is not compulsory. The faculty member alleged that such practices had contributed to concerns about how students were being treated during examinations.
Students found to have used unfair means during examinations may receive an FR2 grade and a one-semester suspension, according to the current rules introduced in 2026. We are largely going back to the 2015 rules,” the faculty member said. “The only addition is that the faculty has to fill a form, which was not there in the 2015 rules. A faculty member also said some practices that had caused concern among students, including frisking and sudden intervention by examination squads, were not part of the 2015 procedure.
A faculty member said students will have the choice to explain their side through the form or refuse to fill it. If the student says they do not want to fill the form, they have a choice to refute,” the faculty member said.
