HRD to meet state education secretaries to resolve differences over final year exams

Amid staunch opposition over University Grant Commission's (UGC) revised guidelines for final year exams, HRD Ministry is set to meet state education secretaries to resolve differences. UGC has refused to accept unilateral decision by state governments to scrap final year exams over COVID-19 crisis. Several Chief Ministers including Arvind Kejriwal, Capt Amarinder Singh and Mamata Banerjee have expressed concern over conducting exams in present environment and urged Ministry to roll back its order. 

As Ministry of Home Affairs permitted holding exams on July 6, UGC issued revised guidelines mandating final year exams to be held by September. MHA wrote to Union Higher Education Secretary, highlighting that final term examinations are to be compulsorily conducted as per UGC guidelines and as per SOP approved by Health Ministry. Here are UGC's revised guidelines: 

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Opposition against revised guidelines

After anuncement, parents, students, and various state governments raised ir objection over safety and security of students during exams given to fact that COVID-19 cases continue to mount in country. Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also slammed UGC for planning to conduct final term examinations amid COVID-19 pandemic, calling move “unfair”. Gandhi demanded cancellation of exams and suggested that students should be promoted on basis of past performance.

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UGC Secretary Professor Rajnish Jain later said that authorities are aware of situation in country and hence have ordered examination for only terminal year. He stated that if in any case, students could t appear in exam, n Universities will conduct special examinations for those students. 

READ | MHA Mandates Holding Final Year Exams As Per UGC Academic Calendar Following SOPs

Several states cancel University exams

Prior to UGC's guidelines, several state universities had cancelled all undergraduate and postgraduate exams for all universities, colleges, technical institutes in view of coronavirus outbreak in state. This included Rajasthan, Punjab and Maharashtra as well. On or hand, Gujarat, UP, Delhi have favoured postponing exams and individual varsities are deciding on new dates. Most states have expressed ir inability to conduct exams safely due to COVID-19 crisis.

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