MHRD backs Delhi University's 'Open Book Test'

The Ministry of Human Resource Development has come forward to support Delhi University's plan to hold online book exam for final year students.

While supporting the Delhi University’s plan for holding the online book exam (OBE), the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has said that the varsity should ensure that no students are left behind due to economic condition or lack of internet connectivity.

The ministry has directed the University of Delhi to tie-up with Common Service Centres (CSC) across the country for the final semester exams for the third-year students and ensures all University Grants Commission’s guidelines are followed for promoting first and second-year students. Those students who are in areas like Jammu & Kashmir and can not appear for OBE, for them a pen-paper exam has been proposed in September.

In the OBE proposed by the varsity, the students will have to download the question paper, refer to the study materials and send back the answer sheets through email. Students from underserved areas and economically weaker sections, however, have raised the issue of low speed or lack of internet connectivity. Some students also raised the issue of unavailability of digital infrastructure.

MHRD has the view that the universities need to innovate to ensure there is no academic loss of students during this lockdown. Amit Khare, Secretary (Higher Education) said that it was suggested that DU tie-up with CSCs so that final year students can take their exams in case they are facing connectivity issues.

“There are around 2.5 lakh final-year students. Every panchayat or block has CSCs where students can take OBE so that nobody is left behind,” he added.

Read More:

• Delhi University to conduct 'Open Book Exam' for PG students, schedule to release after June 4
• DU Admission 2020: Tentative date of registration for PG courses released; check details here