Enough time to conduct exams as per COVID protocols: UGC tells SC

The University Grants Commission told the Supreme Court that its guidelines provide sufficient time for preparations to conduct the final exams as per COVID protocols in September this year.

New Delhi:The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it was entirely wrong on the part of the Delhi and Maharashtra governments to say its notification on conducting final exams is not binding on states.

The UGC filed a reply in the apex court in response to a bunch of pleas pertaining to its earlier notification of holding final semester/year exams this year. It contended that its guidelines provide sufficient time for preparations to conduct the exams in accordance with COVID protocols.

The UGC added that the institutions have been given options to conduct the exams in online, offline, or blended (online + offline) modes.

Earlier on August 10, in response to the Delhi and Maharashtra governments cancelling college exams, the University Grants Commission (UGC) told the Supreme Court that the states' move was against its rules.

Appearing for the UGC, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta contended before the apex court that not conducting exams was against the interest of students and degrees would not be recognised if there are no exams.

Read:States can't cancel exams, degrees won't be recognised: UGC tells SC

SG Mehta said that the UGC is the only body that can prescribe rules for conferring a degree, and added that states cannot change the rules.

Earlier on July 6, the UGC had issued revised exam guidelines mandating to hold final examinations in colleges and universities by the end of September stating that the academic credibility, career opportunities and future progress of students were linked to exams.