Kanpur : In a unique decision, IIT Kanpur has given a second chance to a boy who hacked its website and failed to clear the previous entrance exam to get admission into the institute.
This boy hacked the websites of IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras after being denied admission to a cybersecurity graduate course . Instead of taking immediate legal action, the IITs have decided to test his technical skills.
IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Aggarwal said that the student was not selected for admission because he had no prior experience in the field of cyber security.
” The admission process for this academic year has already been completed, so it’s not possible to offer admission now. However, we will invite the student to the institute and assess their technical skills through a formal exam, and if they prove their ability, they will be offered an opportunity in the next year,” Agarwal said.
He confirmed that the student had hacked the official websites of IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras and gained access to some parts of them.
Agarwal said senior faculty members have been asked to talk to the student and explain to him that gaining unauthorised access to the computer system is a legal offence and he should not repeat it.
In fact , the student had allegedly posted a message on the IIT Kanpur website , saying , ” The site has been hacked. I just want a fair chance. “
The incident came to light earlier this week when the student claimed on social media that he had hacked the websites of IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras after being denied admission to a cybersecurity graduate course . He later shared screenshots of the alleged hacking on social media platforms X and Reddit , saying his intention was not to cause harm but to showcase his abilities .
According to his post , the student had completed the application process for admission , paid the required fees , submitted the required documents, and proof of his cybersecurity work , but was not selected for admission and was not given the opportunity to participate in the admission process or the Kathon.
An IIT Kanpur official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the institute had initially considered filing a lawsuit but decided to verify the student’s claims and evaluate his technical abilities before taking any further action .
IIT Kanpur has previously fostered cybersecurity talent among young people, the official said, adding that earlier this year, the institute offered a position at its C3I hub to a young person who discovered a flaw in the CBSE’s online screen-marking portal.