September 30 deadline for final-year exams: UGC

Universities and schools throughout the nation should maintain their final-year or final-semester examinations by September 30, the University Grants Commission (UGC) selected Monday, in a transfer that coincided with the Union house ministry’s approval to such institutes for conducting these assessments.

In a gathering held on Monday, UGC officers determined that final-year examinations may be held both on-line, or offline (pen and paper), or utilizing a mixture of each. For college students not in closing yr, UGC, headed by DP Singh, allowed universities and schools to decide on their very own methodology to shut the educational session.

Students lacking the exams in September will get one other probability and universities will conduct particular exams “as and when feasible”, in response to UGC pointers.

UGC officers additionally mentioned a report ready by a panel headed by Central University of Haryana vice-chancellor RC Kuhad on holding exams and deciding on the educational session.

“A large number of students, parents and teachers approached me and expressed concerns about their career opportunities and future progress nationally and globally. Keeping all aspects in view, the committee recommended that the students of terminal semesters or final years should be examined following offline, online or blended modes of exams,” Kuhad instructed HT.

Final-term examinations shall be held according to UGC pointers on examinations and tutorial calendar for universities, and in compliance with “the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) approved by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare”, a house ministry assertion stated.

The assertion stated the ministry despatched a letter to the Union greater schooling secretary Amit Khare, allowing the “conduct of examinations by Universities and Institutions”.

UGC vice-chairperson Bhushan Patwardhan, when contacted by HT, stated the fee was dedicated to safeguarding the well being and security of scholars whereas additionally specializing in “fair and equal opportunity” for them.

An announcement by UGC stated: “Academic evaluation of students is very important milestone in any education system. The performance in examinations gives confidence and satisfaction to the students and is a reflection of competence, performance and credibility that is necessary for global acceptability.”

Colleges and universities are closed within the nation since March 16 because of the pandemic.

Several universities, together with Delhi University, have tried holding exams, however met with opposition by college students and fogeys. While a piece of scholars has raised the problem of web connectivity in case of on-line assessments, the try to carry offline exams has triggered well being considerations.

“While the final exams are now mandatory, UGC has allowed universities flexibility in taking decision on how to close the academic year for other semesters and years….It is being considered that in view of the situation, the academic year, earlier planned to begin in August-September, could be pushed further back,” stated an official who didn’t need to be named.

While there’s a common settlement that the educational yr must be re-looked at, a choice shall be taken later, the official stated.

Earlier, the human useful resource growth ministry postponed JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) in view of Covid-19. JEE-Main examination shall be held between September 1 and 6, whereas JEE (Advanced) shall be held on September 27. NEET examination shall be held on September 13.