https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/kerala-high-court/kerala-high-court-ignou-central-universities-equivalency-degree-ultra-vires-ugc-act-295466

With Punjab other state like Maharashtra ,Dehli ,Orrisa and West Bangal also opposed final year exam in view of corona crisis.

Meanwhile The human resource development (HRD) ministry will meet state education secretaries this week to sort out differences over conducting mandatory final-year and final-semester exams, with the apex education regulator University Grants Commission (UGC) refusing to accept unilateral decisions by state governments to scrap these exams against its directives.

“Few states are not following protocol and announcing cancellation of exams at colleges and universities. What they are ignoring is that a degree without UGC approval does not mean anything. It’s there in the UGC Act, and it’s binding. They are putting students’ future at risk and creating confusion,” said an official.
The UGC guidelines are mandatory and, as of now, there is no going back, said the official, adding that the states’ position on cancelling exams may not stand legal scrutiny.

On the other side Himachal Pradesh: After allowing the entry of tourists to visit Himachal Pradesh, the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation has issued the standard operating procedure for opening of tourism units in the State. The tourists who wish to visit Himachal Pradesh have to adhere to the guidelines issued by the state government. They have to register themselves on “Covid-19 e-pass.hp.gov.in” web portal 48 hours before visiting Himachal under tourist category. The tourists have to carry COVID test certificate (RTPCR) issued by ICMR certified laboratory with a negative report and this should not be more than 72 hours old. In addition, the tourists must have downloaded AarogyaSetu App on their mobiles.

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.