UGC issues revised guidelines for conduct of exams

UGC has issued revised guidelines regarding the conduct of terminal semesters and final year exams by Universities and educational institutions. The universities and colleges are advised to complete exams by September in online, offline or blended mode.

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved the recommendations of the Expert committee regarding conduct of exams by September-end in online or offline in view of a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Releasing a statement, the UGC said it accepted the recommendations suggested by the expert committee. "In continuation to earlier Guidelines issued on 29.04.2020 and based on the Report of the Expert Committee, the UGC Revised Guidelines on Examination and Academic Calendar for the Universities in view of COVID-19 Pandemic were also approved by the Commission in its emergent meeting held on 6th July 2020," the statement read.

The Commission further said that while it was important to safeguard principles of health, safety and equal opportunities, it was also very important to ensure academic credibility, career opportunities and future progress of students.

"The Commission approved the recommendations of the Expert Committee regarding the conduct of terminal semester(s)/ final year(s) examinations by the universities/ institutions to be completed by the end of September 2020 in offline (pen & paper online/ blended (online + offline) mode," it added.

The UGC also said that if required it would also issue relevant details related to admissions and academic calendar in the universities and colleges. It asked the students to adopt the latest guidelines and complete the terminal semester or final year exams accordingly.

The announcement has put to rest speculations that the exams for final-year students may be cancelled in view of the COVID-19 situation.

Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' tweeted, "The UGC has revisited its earlier guidelines related to university examinations."

The UGC had released an indicative academic calendar for higher education institutions on April 29 in which it had prescribed that universities conduct their final-year or terminal semester examination from July 1 to July 15 and declare their results end of the month.

(With inputs from ANI)