UGC Guidelines 2020 for University Examinations

Many universities opted for online methods to prevent academic loss but conducting exams online didn’t seem feasible. In the midst of the prevailing emergency situations, UGC Guidelines 2020 came as a relief for students.

University Grant Commission (UGC) released its guidelines for semester examinations and academic calendar. Amid COVID-19 lockdown, academic activities got ruptured resulting stress and anxiety among students. Many universities opted for online methods to prevent academic loss but conducting exams online didn’t seem feasible. In the midst of the prevailing emergency situations, UGC Guidelines 2020 came as a relief for students.

In a 10-page long report, UGC talked about the conduction of pending exams, the commencement of the new academic session, summer breaks, and other conduction of other academic activities once the normalcy is restored. Talking about the online method of conducting exams, UGC said, “Like the modes of teaching-learning, most of the universities follow the physical mode of examinations, with a few exceptions. On this aspect also, some of the universities lack adequate IT infrastructure for conducting online examinations. The hiring of private agencies for conducting online examinations also does not seem feasible in view of the fact that examinations are to be conducted simultaneously by all the universities. Therefore, keeping in view the basic infrastructure available at the level of the institutions and accessibility of the internet to the students, especially in remote areas, it is not feasible to uniformly adopt the online mode of examination at this juncture.”

The Commissions formed two expert committees to prepare reports on examinations and academic calendar to be followed in the new academic session 2020-21. Based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee, the following Guidelines have been framed for the Examinations. According to the official statement, “The guidelines are advisory in nature and each university may chart out its own plan of action taking into consideration the issues pertaining to COVID – 19 Pandemic.”

UGC Guidelines 2020 for University Examinations

1. In order to complete the examination process in a shorter period of time in compliance with CBCS requirements as prescribed by UGC from time to time, the universities may adopt alternative and simplified modes and methods of examinations. “These may include MCQ/ OMR based examinations, Open Book Examination, Open Choices, assignment/ presentation-based assessments, etc.”
2. Terminal semester / year examinations for PG/ UG courses/ programmes may be conducted by universities as suggested in the academic calendar keeping in mind the protocols of “social distancing”.
3. Without compromising the quality, the universities may adopt efficient and innovative modes of examinations by reducing the time from 3 hours to 2 hours assigned to each examination.
4. The students should be informed well in advance (at least one week) about the conduct of examinations and other related activities.
5. Following the strict norms of social distancing, the universities may conduct Terminal / Intermediate Semester / Year examinations in offline/online mode, as per their Ordinances/ Rules and Regulations, Scheme of Examinations.
6. For intermediate semester/year students, the universities may conduct examinations, after making a comprehensive assessment of their level of preparedness, residential status of the students, status of COVID-19 pandemic spread in different regions/state and other factors.
7. In case the situation does not appear to be normal in view of COVID-19, the UGC recommended, “in order to maintain “social distancing”, safety and health of the students, grading of the students could be composite of 50% marks on the basis of the pattern of internal 6 evaluation adopted by the universities and the remaining 50% marks can be awarded on the basis of performance in previous semester only (if available). The internal evaluation can be continuous evaluation, prelims, mid-semester, internal evaluation or whatever name is given for student progression. In the situations where previous semester or previous year marks are not available, particularly in the first year of annual pattern of examinations, 100% evaluation may be done on the basis of internal assessments. If the student wishes to improve the grades, he/she may appear in special exams for such subjects during next semester. This provision for intermediate semester examinations is only for the current academic session (2019-20) in view of COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining the safety and health of all the stakeholders and sanctity and quality of examinations.”
8. All courses in the university must conduct the modalities for examination and other related activities in a uniform manner.
9. Regarding the requirement of a minimum percentage of attendance for the students/ research scholars, the period of lockdown may be treated as ‘deemed to be attended’ by all the students/ research scholars.
10. The universities may conduct the practical examinations and Viva-Voce Examinations through Skype or other meeting apps, and in case of intermediate semesters, the practical examinations may be conducted during the ensuing semesters.
11. The universities may conduct the PhD and MPhil Viva -Voce Examinations through Video Conferencing using Google, Skype, Microsoft Technologies or any other reliable and mutually convenient technology.
12. Extension of six months period shall be granted to the MPhil or PhD students. The M.Phil. or Ph.D. students, whose maximum period for submission of M. Phil./ Ph.D. Dissertation/ Thesis prescribed under relevant rules/ regulations/ ordinances of the concerned universities is expired/ expiring during the Corona pandemic period, may be allowed to submit their Dissertation/ Thesis, including completion of pending formalities, within six months from the date of expiry of the regular prescribed period.
13. The extension of six months may also be considered for those students who are yet to submit their Dissertation/ Thesis.
14. Establishment of a cell in all universities for handling student grievances related to examinations and academic activities during COVID-19 pandemic and notify effectively to the students.
15. Establishment of a helpline by UGC for monitoring student grievances related to examinations and academic activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

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