A student who failed to secure admission to the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur's (IIT Kanpur) BTech Cybersecurity program took an unconventional route to showcase his abilities: he hacked the institute's official website. The student replaced a portion of the site with a message stating, "Site is Hacked, All I Need Is Just a Fair Chance," subsequently sharing screenshots of the breach on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit.
He clarified that his intention was not to cause damage but purely to demonstrate his cybersecurity prowess after his rejection from the coveted course.
IIT Kanpur's Unexpected Response
Contrary to typical institutional responses, IIT Kanpur chose not to file a First Information Report (FIR) or pursue immediate legal action. Instead, the institute decided to offer the student an internship at C3iHub, its advanced cybersecurity technology and innovation hub.
IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal explained the decision, stating that while the admissions process had closed and legal procedures were involved, the institute did not wish to jeopardize the student's future. Agrawal noted that the internship would provide an opportunity for the student to develop his skills further and potentially reapply for admission in the following year.
A Message to Aspiring Students
While offering an opportunity, Agrawal also emphasized that such actions are not the appropriate way to seek admission or career opportunities. He highlighted that IIT Kanpur already provides multiple avenues for applicants to demonstrate their cybersecurity skills during the admissions process, including hackathons, which the student in question had not successfully utilized during his formal application.
Furthermore, IIT Kanpur extended a broader invitation, encouraging individuals with cybersecurity expertise to submit their CVs for consideration for internships or jobs at C3iHub. The institute reiterated the importance of following proper and lawful channels to achieve academic and professional goals, warning against activities that could lead to serious consequences.