The University Grants Commission (UGC) orally made a submission in the Supreme Court on Friday that students should not break their preparation for final year exams to be conducted “by the end of September 2020”.
Though a UGC affidavit filed on July 31 said the exams were scheduled “by the end of September 2020” to give varsities sufficient time to make arrangements amid the pandemic, the same affidavit also goes on to inform the court that information received from 818 universities show that 603 varsities had conducted their final year exams or were in the process of conducting exams during August-September 2020.
On Friday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the UGC, by means of abundant caution, said “let nobody be under the impression that final exams will be stayed because Supreme Court is hearing the case. Students should continue to prepare for their exams”.
The submission was made during a hearing before a Bench led by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar.
The Commission is strongly advocating the conduct of the final year exams by September 30 in compliance with its July 6 guidelines while keeping in mind the safety and health of students.
The hearing is based on a bunch of petitions filed by over 30 students challenging the conduct of exams amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Directive to govts
The court ordered the Maharashtra and NCT Delhi governments to submit reports on the ground situation in the fight against COVID-19 from their respective State Disaster Management Committees within a week. It posted the case for August 10 for further orders after examining the reports.
In its written response to the students’ petitions, the UGC said the “final year/terminal semester exams is a crucial step in the academic career of a student”.
It said the ‘UGC Guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar for Universities in view of COVID-19 Pandemic’ was revised on July 6 in consultation with the Prof. K.C. Kuhad expert committee.
The revised guidelines allow students to opt for offline (pen and paper) mode of taking exams, online exclusively, or the “blended” manner in which students can alternate between online and physical modes of attending the exams, the Commission said.
Besides, it noted, universities could conduct special examinations for students later as and when feasible “so that a student is not put to any inconvenience or disadvantage”.
The Commission said courts of law have a limited role in framing policy on academic issues.
