Final Year University Exams likely to be cancelled, new session from October: Official

The ongoing pandemic situation made the MHRD advise the UGC to revise its examination guidelines in the view of the safety of the students and staff members. 

Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) to revisit the guidelines issued earlier for intermediate and terminal semester examination, and the academic calendar. According to officials, Exams for final year students in universities and higher education institutions which were to be held in July are likely to be cancelled in view of the spike in COVID-19 cases, and the commencement of the new session is likely to be deferred to October.

Also Read: University Final-Year Exams also to be cancelled? UGC plans to revise Exam Guidelines 2020

The officials also revealed that a panel, set up by UGC and headed by Haryana University vice-chancellor R C Kuhad, are asked to revisit the guidelines and come up with alternative options. The higher education regulator would take a week’s time to release revised guidelines.

Talking about the sudden revision of the UGC Examination Guidelines, a senior official said, "The ministry has made it clear that the foundation for revisited guidelines shall be the health and safety of students, teachers staff. The expert committee is of the view that the examinations due in July in most universities as per the revised academic calendar be cancelled and marks for final examination be awarded based on the past performance of each student. "Students who are not happy with the final marks being given to them based on previous examinations can be given a chance to improvise their scores by taking examinations later when the pandemic subsides."

The official added, "Similarly, the commencement of the new academic session, which was earlier planned for already enrolled students from August and freshers from September, is also likely to be deferred to October. The deliberations are on and final guidelines in this regard will be announced soon. However, any guidelines framed will be subject to review depending upon the COVID-19 situation.

Also Read: UGC Guidelines 2020 for University Examinations

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus followed by the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the virus spread led to the closure of universities and schools across the country in March

A nationwide lockdown was announced on March 24, which came into effect the next day. While the government now eased several restrictions, schools and colleges are still closed.

The UGC in April formed two committees, One - led by Haryana University Vice-Chancellor R C Kuhad, to look into ways of conducting exams in universities amid the lockdown and work on an alternate academic calendar. Second- led by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Vice-Chancellor Nageshwar Rao to suggest measures to improve online education.

Based on the recommendations of the two panels, the HRD Ministry on April 29 announced the guidelines recommending the exams for final semester students be conducted in July.

Also Read: UGC guidelines 2020 for end semester exams, new academic session

The commission said that the universities may decide whether to conduct exams online or offline keeping in view the support system available with them and ensuring a fair opportunity to all students.

The UGC recommended that Universities can evaluate the intermediate semester students on the basis of internal assessment or in states where the COVID-19 situation is normalised, exams be conducted in July only.

The commission also said the new academic session for freshers may begin in universities from September and for already enrolled students in August while the admission process may begin in universities from August 1.

However, the continuously rising COVID-19 positive cases in the Country made the authorities to rethink over the guidelines laid earlier. The Cancellation of the final-year exams in Universities will also normalize the situation in Delhi University over the open book examination.

Read More:

• DU Open Book Exams 2020: Over 68% students against It, reveals LSR survey

• Post Doctoral Fellowship Amount revised by UGC, amount to be in effect from 2019 January 1
• UGC Guidelines 2020: Universities to follow 6-day week pattern to compensate academic loss
• UGC Guidelines 2020: Academic calendar for new admissions