UGC opposes Maharashtra & Delhi cancelling Final Year exams: 'Higher education affected'

Opposing Maharashtra and Delhi government's orders cancelling final year exams, University Grants Commission (UGC), filed its reply in Supreme Court on Thursday. Maintaining that state governments' decision will impact 'standards of higher education', UGC contended against commencement of next academic session, amid COVID-19 pandemic. matter's next hearing is slated for August 14. 

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Delhi & Maharashtra govt oppose UGC order

On August 7, Maharashtra government had informed Supreme Court that has decided o t conduct examinations in state amid COVID-19. decision was taken after a majority of University Vice-Chancellors from across state voted against conducting exams. Maharashtra is still worst-hit state by COVID-19, with new hotspots like Pune, Thane, Palghar emerging as Mumbai flattens curve.

Similarly, Delhi government also informed Supreme Court that Delhi State Universities exams have been cancelled. Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi had directed "all Delhi State Universities to cancel all written online and offline semester examinations including final year exams." Opposing se decisions, UGC questioned state governments saying that states could t supersede rules of UGC. Moreover, UGC maintained that states could t act unilaterally adding that ir degrees may t be recognized if y did so.

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Exams to be conducted by end of September 

On July 6, UGC  issued Revised Guidelines on Examination and Academic Calendar for Universities in view of COVID-19 Pandemic', directing all universities/ institutions in country are obligated to conduct terminal semester/final year examination by end of September 2020. UGC justified revised guidelines issued on July 6 and said that it adequately takes into account evolving situation of COVID-19 pandemic because it provides sufficient time till end of September 2020 to conduct final year/terminal semester examinations after following prescribed protocols and procedures relating to COVID-19. Currently, Centre has shut all universities till August 31.

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This decision by UGC has been challenged by Maharashtra, Delhi govt, Aaditya Thackeray-led Yuva Sena and several or student bodies. India currently has 23,96,638 COVID cases f which 6,53,622 cases are active while 16,95,982 people have recovered. 47,033 people have died till date.