According to students, first-year students were told they would not be allowed to sit for the examinations. Senior students then decided to extend support. Eventually, more than 60 students did not appear for the exams in solidarity.In a rare show of solidarity, nearly 60 students of IIM Nagpur skipped their mid-term examinations to protest the administration’s move to debar over 40 students for allegedly staying out of campus overnight without prior permission, The Indian Express has learned.Nearly 75 students had stepped out of the campus for dinner on the night of February 21. According to students, two campus clubs had informed the authorities that they would be returning late. However, when the group came back, they were stopped at the gate. The group included both first-year and senior students.The following day, several students received an email titled, “IIMN MBA Barred from appearing in Mid Term Examinations 24th and 25th Feb 2026.”Students described the outing as informal, with some calling it a farewell gathering. “We have barely seven to eight days left. It was our last class of the MBA. Some students had informed the institution about the outing. However, everyone was stopped at the gate in the morning,” a student said.Students also alleged that parents of some female students were contacted. “The parents of girls were called and spoken to in a very rude manner,” a student claimed.According to students, first-year students were told they would not be allowed to sit for the examinations. Senior students then decided to extend support. Eventually, more than 60 students did not appear for the exams in solidarity.Students argued that mid-term examinations carry significant weight in the overall assessment, along with end-semester exams. “We are not kids anymore; we are students of a professional course. This is not how we should be treated. Sometimes classes end at 11 pm, and we step outside the campus for a short walk,” another student said.Story continues below this adIt later emerged that over 40 first-year students were formally barred from writing the mid-term examinations. Senior students staged a protest within the campus premises.Students further alleged that some of those involved were suspended from the MBA programme and removed from their Positions of Responsibility. Some also took to social media, questioning whether “moral policing” of MBA students was warranted in 2026.Institute authorities, however, maintained that the students had stayed out the entire night without prior approval. Officials said the students had entered “going home” in the outing register instead of seeking permission from hostel authorities or the administration.“As per institutional rules and safety regulations, all students are required to inform and obtain proper approval from the concerned authorities before leaving the campus. Such regulations are in place to ensure the safety, well-being and accountability of students residing on campus. Failure to comply with these procedures constitutes a violation of institutional rules and is treated as a matter of serious concern,” an official said, adding that the barred students would be allowed to take the examinations at a later date.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 © The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:IIM Nagpur