Panel recommends scrapping of final year exam, UGC to decide soon

June 24: In the backdrop of the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic followed by nationwide lockdown, University Grants Commission (UGC) had released revised examination guidelines in April this year. However, due to further spread of COVID-19 and the restrictions imposed on many counts by the government, it has become almost impossible to conduct final year examination for university and college students. Meanwhile, the UGC has already authorised the universities to adopt alternative means in lieu of offline exams for intermediate semesters.

It is in this connection, that a committee had been formed by the higher education regulator headed by Haryana University Vice-Chancellor R C Kuhad to decide on the fate of final year/semester students of colleges and universities. Earlier, The panel formed by UGC was asked to suggest alternative ways of assessing students in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic which has caused massive disruptions in colleges and universities.

However, as per a report published in The New Indian Express, it was stated that the committee in its recommendation has stated that the final semester examinations, due in July in most universities as per the revised academic calendar, cannot be held due to the risk of exposure to lakhs of students. The panel suggested that the examinations be cancelled and marks for the final year students in universities and institutes of higher education across India be awarded based on the previous semester examinations and internal assessments instead.

However, there may be students who would not be satisfied with the marks awarded based on this method. For them, the committee suggested that once the pandemic subsides, students who are not satisfied with the final marks being given to them based on previous examinations, can be given a chance to improvise their scores by taking examinations later. The UGC panel has also recommended that the new session planned in July for old students and in August for fresh batches should be deferred to October.

Meanwhile, the UGC is expected to release comprehensive guidelines for higher education institutes later this week based on these recommendations. The recommendations are meant to guide over 40 central universities and hundreds of state, private and deemed to be universities and colleges.