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IIM Nagpur allows all first-year students to take exams after boycott over disciplinary action

Institute assures no disciplinary action or academic loss for students who stood in solidarity with peers facing action for 'late-night outing

3 min readNagpurUpdated: Feb 28, 2026 10:17 AM IST

The flashpoint came after nearly 75 students stepped out for dinner on the night of February 21 (Express File Photo/Upscale with AI)

Days after a section of students boycotted mid-term examinations in protest against disciplinary action, the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIM Nagpur) has allowed all first-year students — including those initially barred — to appear for the ongoing exams, assuring that no one will face academic loss.

The decision marks a de-escalation of a standoff that began after the administration moved to debar more than 40 first-year students for allegedly staying off campus overnight without prior permission. In an uncommon show of collective action, over 60 students had skipped their mid-term papers earlier this week in protest.

“Permission has been granted to all students to take the exams. Both first and second year examinations are underway. A later date will be announced for the paper that some students did not appear for, after the mid-term exams conclude. No student will suffer academic loss,” officials said.

The administration clarified that the restriction applied only to around 40 first-year students and was not a blanket ban. While several students initially sat out in solidarity before exams began, more than 100 students from a batch of around 300 eventually appeared once the papers commenced. Second-year students were not barred.

Officials suggested that some senior students who had already secured campus placements may have feared repercussions and therefore reached out to the media. They reiterated that there was no intent to cause academic harm and noted that provisions exist for students to reappear for mid-term examinations if necessary.

The institute also rejected media reports linking the controversy to Valentine’s Day celebrations on February 14, stating that a conference was underway on campus that day.

The flashpoint came after nearly 75 students stepped out for dinner on the night of February 21. Students said two campus clubs had informed authorities that the group would return late. However, when they arrived back on campus, comprising both first-year and senior students, they were stopped at the gate. The next day, several first-year students received an email titled “IIMN MBA Barred from appearing in Mid Term Examinations 24th and 25th Feb 2026”.

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Students described the outing as an informal dinner, with some calling it a farewell gathering. Allegations also surfaced that parents of female students were contacted and spoken to rudely — a charge the institute has not directly addressed.

Denying claims of moral policing, the administration said that restrictions on late-night movement were guided by safety concerns. Officials cited a past incident in which a student was killed in a road accident on Wardha Road in November 2025, noting that institutions are often held responsible when such tragedies occur.

End-term examinations for second-year students are already underway and are scheduled to conclude on March 2.

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read More

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