IIT Bombay Issues Anti-Discrimination Rules on Caste & JEE Ranks

IIT Bombay reiterates anti-discrimination guidelines prohibiting questions about caste, admission categories and entrance exam ranks, amid student protests following Sahil Wakode’s death.

The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has reiterated its anti-discrimination guidelines, advising students, faculty members and staff not to ask peers about their caste, admission category, JEE (Advanced) ranks or GATE scores. The institute says such questions, even when asked out of curiosity, may create conscious or subconscious bias and make students feel targeted.

The guidelines, circulated by the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, aim to promote an inclusive campus environment where students can interact regardless of caste, religion or socio-economic background. IIT Bombay has encouraged students to build relationships through shared interests such as academics, sports, music, films, hobbies and hometowns.

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The institute has also prohibited the exchange or forwarding of abusive, hateful, casteist or sexist messages, including jokes and content expressing prejudice based on religion or sexual orientation. The restrictions apply to communication on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and email, as well as in-person interactions. Violations may attract severe disciplinary action.

The renewed attention to the guidelines follows the death of second-year student Sahil Wakode on September 18, 2026. His parents have alleged that he faced caste-based harassment by a faculty member. The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, and the allegations have not been established as findings of the investigation. The incident has triggered student protests on campus, with demonstrators demanding greater accountability and dialogue with the administration.

The institute’s anti-discrimination guidelines were first circulated in July 2023 and reiterated in 2024. Their renewed circulation has prompted debate among students about how effectively existing policies are implemented and whether further measures are needed to address discrimination and student welfare.

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IIT Bombay has reiterated its commitment to implementing the Constitution’s reservation policy and providing equal opportunities to all admitted students. The guidelines form part of its stated efforts to strengthen inclusion and ensure that interactions among students, faculty and staff do not contribute to harassment or discrimination.