SC issues notice to UGC on conducting final year exam in universities

The Apex Court is set to hear petitions challenging the UGC guidelines, which made it mandatory for universities to conduct their final year exams by September 30. Earlier on July 7, the UGC had said the end-term examination for all final-year students would have to be mandatorily held by the end of September 2020, in offline or online mode.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice and sought response by July 31 on petitions challenging the UGC's September 30 guidelines which ordered conducting final year examinations in colleges.

The bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by around 30 students from accross the nation, including a covid positive patient, and Aditya Thackrey led Yuva Sena.

They contended that conducting final year exams will expose them to the risk of Covid 19 and they should be evaluated on the averge marks scored previously.

The plea was filed by 31 students across several universities in India. The students, in their petition, had challenged the UGC guidelines for being arbitrary as it would compel students to appear for exams amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

SG appearing for the UGC assured the top court that they will file a reply on 29th July.

Earlier on July 7, the UGC had said the end-term examination for all final-year students would have to be mandatorily held by the end of September 2020, in offline or online mode.