Exams must for final year students, extension of 30 Sept deadline can be sought: SC

August 28: All eyes were set on the judgement of the Supreme Court as regards conduct or cancellation of final-year examinations within 30 September as notified earlier by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that students cannot be promoted without writing the final year examinations, upholding a July 6 directive of the UGC to hold exams by 30 September. The apex court said, “State cannot promote students without final year examinations.”

A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan pronounced the judgement on the student plea against UGC. This means that all final year university exams will have to be conducted. However, the apex court said that if any state government or union territory cannot conduct exams by the September 30 UGC deadline, then they can individually approach the UGC to postpone it.

While delivered the ruling through video-conferencing, Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and MR Shah said, “States cannot promote students based on internal assessment or past performance.”

I welcome the Hon'ble Supreme Court's verdict in favour of conduct of final year exams. This will help students to qualify for further admissions on merit. Now, I hope, unnecessary controversy will be over.#UGCGuidelines @DrRPNishank @PIB_India @DDNewslive @airnewsalerts

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) August 28, 2020

Expressing his views, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar tweeted, “I welcome the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s verdict in favour of conduct of final year exams. This will help students to qualify for further admissions on merit. Now, I hope, unnecessary controversy will be over.”