The University Grants Commission or UGC has released the annual examination details and a new academic calendar for the universities and colleges which are shut due to the coronavirus lockdown. The commission said 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.
For intermediate semester students in the states where the COVID-19 situation has normalized, there will be exams in the month of July. According to the guidelines released today, college sessions will begin in August for current students and September for new ones. Schools and colleges have been closed across the country since last month amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Regarding the pending examinations, the Commission has also said the universities may adopt alternative and simplified modes and methods of examinations to complete the process in shorter period of time.
It also said the universities may adopt efficient and innovative modes of examinations by reducing the time from 3 hours to 2 hours.
“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 fair opportunity to all students,” .
The Commission has allowed extension of six months period to the M.Phil. or Ph.D. students and told the universities that they may conduct the Ph.D. and M. Phil. Viva -Voce examinations through video conferencing using Google, Skype, 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.
In view of Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the UGC constituted an expert committee to deliberate and make recommendations on the 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.
