The Director of IIT Kharagpur, Suman Chakravarty, delivered an emotional address to students before exams, emphasizing that grades do not define a person. He urged students to view test results objectively, asserting that no grade or poor exam should serve as a measure of their abilities.
In a video message published on the IIT Kharagpur account on X on the evening of September 20, Chakravarty noted that while the exam is important, it constitutes only a small part of a student's life. According to him, a test shows what a person wrote in one day, but it does not reveal who that person is or who they will become in the future.
This message came amid a public discussion about academic pressure on students in the country's engineering institutions. A tragic incident occurred a few days prior: a student at IIT Bombay committed suicide.
A second-year student named Sahil Wakode was found dead in his hostel room on September 18. Several hours earlier, he had been observed during an exam, allegedly using ChatGPT on his phone. IIT Bombay reported that the student uploaded the question paper to ChatGPT, after which he was consulted by an instructor and the head of the department. The institution stated that no disciplinary action was taken against him, and he was assured that this incident would not negatively affect his academic career.
Concurrently, Chakravarty advised students to trust their preparation, take breaks, and focus on one question at a time. He also recommended ensuring adequate sleep, eating properly, and helping friends maintain a positive outlook.
Chakravarty strongly urged students to approach the exam with confidence and, above all, with honesty. He also warned against taking the results of a poor exam as a final judgment of oneself. The Director noted that sometimes students can unexpectedly surpass themselves, and other times, despite thorough preparation, the exam may not go in their favor. He called on students not to attach too much significance to such moments.