Last Updated:September 21, 2026, 15:44 IST

The IIT Kharagpur Director acknowledged the pressure students can experience around exams and encouraged them to approach their papers one question at a time.

IIT Kharagpur director’s message emphasised institutional support for students during difficult periods. (File Photo)

Amid heightened attention on student well-being and examination pressure following the death of an IIT Bombay student, IIT Kharagpur Director Prof. Suman Chakraborty has issued a message to students ahead of their examinations, urging them to trust their preparation and reminding them that an exam does not define their identity or future.

Addressing students, Chakraborty said, “As you walk into your examination halls, remember this: an exam measures what you wrote on one day. It does not measure who you are or what you will become.”

The IIT Kharagpur Director acknowledged the pressure students can experience around exams and encouraged them to approach their papers one question at a time. “You earned your place at IIT Kharagpur through years of effort, and that strength has not left you. Trust your preparation. Breathe. Take one question at a time,” he said.

His message also emphasised institutional support for students during difficult periods. “And whenever the pressure feels heavy, know that you are not carrying it alone. My hand is on your shoulder, today and always. This Institute stands behind every one of you, on your good days and on your difficult ones,” Chakraborty said.

The remarks come days after the death of a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay triggered protests on the campus and raised questions about exam pressure, student support and institutional responses.

The IIT Bombay student, Sahil Wakode, was found dead in his hostel room after an exam-related incident. The student’s family subsequently alleged caste-based harassment, following which Mumbai Police registered an FIR. The allegations are under investigation.

IIT Bombay later apologised for its initial communication about the circumstances preceding the student’s death, saying it was inappropriate to characterise events while the matter remained under investigation. The institute also suspended Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla from his deanship amid protests, while the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum defended him and said he had followed institute-approved procedures.

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What message did IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty share with students?

IIT Kharagpur Director Prof. Suman Chakraborty urged students to trust their preparation, reminding them that an examination measures only what is written on a single day and does not define their identity or future. He also encouraged them to seek support whenever academic pressure feels heavy.

What events at IIT Bombay prompted the director’s statement on examination pressure?

The remarks followed the death of a second-year BTech student at IIT Bombay, Sahil Wakode, who was found dead in his hostel room after an exam-related incident involving mobile phone and ChatGPT use. The incident triggered campus protests, allegations of caste-based harassment, and an FIR registered by Mumbai Police.

How did IIT Bombay respond to the student’s death and subsequent protests?

IIT Bombay apologized for its initial inappropriate communication regarding the circumstances of the student’s death while investigations were underway. Amid protests, the institute suspended Prof. Suryanarayana Doolla from his deanship, though the IIT Bombay Faculty Forum defended him, stating he followed approved procedures.

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