Delhi HC raps DU on preparations for open book exams, hearing on UGC guidelines in SC tomorrow

The Delhi High Court on Thursday reprimanded Delhi University for its preparations to conduct online open book exams.

Hearing a plea opposing exams, the high court questioned the university on the false promises on the conduct of online open book examinations. The court will hear the case again on August 4.

The court has asked the university administration to come with a complete plan including the status of Common Service Centres (CSCs) and scribes for visually impaired students.

The High Court has already made it clear that it is hearing the case only so that the examination can be conducted in the right manner.

Meanwhile, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday filed a response before the Supreme Court stating that the purpose of conducting final year examinations by September 30 is to ensure students' studies do not get hampered next year. The apex court will hear the matter on Friday.

In the last hearing, the SC had asked the UGC to respond to the petitions challenging the final year examination in universities across the country in view of the novel coronavirus.

The petitions have sought a direction from the Supreme Court to cancel the UGC guidelines issued on July 6, which stated that all universities and colleges will hold final year examinations by September 30.

The petitioners include a COVID positive student, who said that there are many final year students who are either themselves corona positive or their family members are.

Forcing such students to appear for final year examinations by September 30, 2020, is an open violation of the right to life conferred under Article 21, the plea says.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a notification allowing universities to conduct final year exams of students as per UGC guidelines.