IIT Bombay shuts lecture halls at night, students struggle for exam-time study space

With mid-semester examinations underway, students at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay are raising concerns over a shortage of late-night study spaces after the institute ended its practice of keeping rooms in the Lecture Hall Complex (LHC) open overnight during examinations.

The LHC had traditionally remained accessible late into the night and early morning during exam periods, providing students with a place to study beyond regular hours. The facility was particularly important for hostel residents who may have limited study space in their rooms and, in some cases, poor or no Wi-Fi connectivity.

This semester, however, the administration decided to close the LHC at night, citing concerns over cleanliness and security, including complaints about littering.

The change has prompted students to seek alternative arrangements at a time when many are spending long hours preparing for examinations.

Following demands from students, the administration opened four rooms in the Department of Energy Science and Engineering. Students were informed of the arrangement through an email on September 5, with the institute indicating that additional rooms could be opened depending on demand.

Students, however, said the alternative does not adequately address their concerns.

“More than inadequacy of space, the reason is a lack of sufficient charging ports,” a student said, pointing to the growing dependence on electronic devices for academic work.

Another student said charging facilities had become an essential part of studying as course material increasingly shifted online.

“Lecture notes, coding assignments, book PDFs, everything is on devices, online explanations, even AI is more convenient on tabs and laptops,” the student said.

The issue was highlighted by Insight, IIT Bombay’s student media body, which noted that the LHC's late-night availability had traditionally served students during examinations.

For students, the concern is not simply about finding a vacant room. With notes, assignments, reference books and other academic resources increasingly stored on laptops and tablets, access to power and reliable study space has become an important part of exam preparation.

The institute, meanwhile, said the alternative arrangement was temporary and intended to facilitate examination preparations.

“These temporary measures are being taken for proper coordination and smooth conduct of exams. This arrangement is only for the exam session,” the administration said.