UGC revised exam guidelines: SC refuses to pass interim order, next hearing scheduled for Aug 10

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.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing on behalf of the petitioners said that many universities do not have the necessary facility for online examination. He also said there are 16 lakh cases of COVID19 now, adding that the response by UGC has been filed without any thought about the well being of the students.

Responding to SC's query that offline exams could also e conducted, Sanghvi stated that many people will not be able to take the offline examination due to local COVID-19 related issues.

"Giving them the option to take the test later will lead to further confusion," Sanghvi added. 

Singhvi added that the new guidelines makes it more difficult for students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, terming it 'arbitrary'.

The UGC told the top court that nobody should remain under the impression that since the Supreme Court is examining this issue, the final year /semester examination will be stayed.

The bench, also comprising Justices R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah, was informed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre and the UGC, that he would apprise the court about MHA's stand on the issue.

Mehta said they are only concerned with final year exams and out of over 800 universities in the country, 209 have completed the examinations.

"Let nobody remain under the impression that since this court is examining this, it will be stayed. Let students continue with their studies," Mehta said.

It is to be noted that University Grants Commission had issued revised guidelines regarding the conducting of the terminal semesters ( or the final year examinations) by the universities, stating that the exams should be conducted by September end either offline (pen and paper) or online.

"It is reiterated that the universities should give paramount importance to health and safety of students, faculty, and staff and adhere to the Government protocols/guidelines related to COVID-19 while conducting the examinations." the UGC order further stated.

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.

Several states, including Haryana, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh had earlier cancelled all higher education exams and instead announced that students will be promoted on the basis of their prior performances in exams.