UGC revises guidelines on exams and academic calendar for universities

Our Reporter
Dimapur, July 7 (EMN): The University Grants Commission (UGC) released its ‘revised guidelines on examinations and academic calendar for the universities in view of Covid-19 pandemic’ on July 6.

The UGC has asked universities to complete the examinations of terminal semester/ final year by the end of September in offline (pen and paper)/online/blended (online + offline) mode, following the prescribed protocols/guidelines related to Covid-19 pandemic.

It has also made a special provision wherein — in case a student of terminal semester/final year is unable to appear in the examination conducted by the university for whatsoever the reason —  he or she may be given an opportunity to appear in special examinations for such course/paper, which may be conducted by the university as and when feasible.

According to the UGC, this was done so that students are not put to any inconvenience and disadvantage.

However, it informed that this provision would be applicable only for the current academic session as a one-time measure.

Exams for students with backlog

The UGC also stated that terminal semester/final year students having backlog, should compulsorily be evaluated by conducting examinations in offline (pen and paper)/online/blended (online + offline) mode as per feasibility and suitability.

At the same time, it said that the guidelines regarding intermediate semester/year examinations would remain unchanged as notified on April 29.

Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Ramesh Pokhriyal, officially released the UGC’s revised guidelines in New Delhi on July 6. 

Pokhriyal said the decision was taken to safeguard the principles of health, safety, fair and equal opportunity for students.

The ministry of Home Affairs had also permitted universities and other academic institutions to conduct examinations during the ongoing ‘Unlock 2’ phase.