UGC guidelines 2020 for end semester exams, new academic session

Amid closed campuses, postponed exams and delayed results, UGC guidelines on end semester exams and the upcoming academic session came as a relief for students who were stressed and concerned about their future.  

The University Grants Commission (UGC) released exam details and a new academic calendar today i.e. April 29. The commission clearly stated that the intermediate semester students will be graded based on internal assessment of the present and previous semester while the exams for the terminal semester students will be held in the month of July. UGC further made this clear that states where the COVID-19 situation is normalized, exams will be conducted for intermediate semester students in the month of July. Amid closed campuses, postponed exams and delayed results, UGC guidelines came as a relief for students who were stressed and concerned about their future.  

While talking about the pending exams, the Commission stated that Universities can adopt simplified and alternative methods and modes of exams to complete the process in a shorter time span. It also suggested that Universities can conduct exams in an effective and innovative way by reducing the time from 3 hours to 2 hours. The Commission added, “Universities may conduct Terminal / Intermediate Semester / Year examinations in offline/online mode, as per their Ordinances/Rules and Regulations, Scheme of Examinations, observing the guidelines of "social distancing" and keeping in view the support system available with them and ensuring a fair opportunity to all students,".

For MPhil or PhD students, the Commission allowed an extension of six months period and told the universities that they may conduct the Ph.D. and M. Phil. Viva -Voce examinations through video conferencing using Skype, Google, Microsoft Technologies or any other reliable and mutually convenient technology.

According to the guidelines, universities may follow a 6-day week pattern and the Commission added in view of present scenario and future uncertainties they may adopt or adapt and implement the proposed guidelines in a transparent manner by making alterations or additions or modifications or amendments to deal with particular situations in the best interest of students, educational institution and the entire education system.

UGC appointed two expert committees to make and recommend reports on issues related to the examinations and the academic calendar to avoid academic loss and take appropriate measures for the future of students. The expert committee was headed by Prof. R. C. Kuhad, Former Member, UGC and Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana along with other members

UGC academic calendar 2020 for already enrolled students

The following calendar is suggested for the academic session 2019-2020:

UGC calendar for new academic session 2020

The following calendar issued by UGC is suggested for the academic session 2020-2021. The calendar will be followed for new admissions. 

The expert committees submitted their reports on examination and academic calendar during a meeting held on April 27, 2020. UGC then accepted the report of the committee and approved the guidelines on examinations and academic calendar.

The guidelines issued by UGC on examination and academic calendar for universities due to the lockdown imposed in order to contain the deadly virus COVID-19 were generated in presence of Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' in New Delhi today i.e. April 29.

To check the official PDF of UGC guidelines 2020, CLICK HERE

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