No degrees without exam, Supreme Court upholds UGC's position
SC rules that final year examinations for college/ university students have to be held. But states under Disaster Management Act can postpone exams in view of the pandemic.
Image used for representational purpose only NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has upheld the University Grants Commission’s position that “there will be no degrees without exam,” says Amit Khare, secretary, higher education, ministry of education on Friday. The Apex Court’s order is on the petition demanding that the final year exams should be cancelled and students should be promoted on the basis of internal assessment.
SC rules that final year examinations for college/ university students have to be held. But states under Disaster Management Act can postpone exams in view of the pandemic. The Court also said that no state can promote final year students without final examination as ordered by UGC.
“That has been the position of the UGC’s that degrees can’t be awarded without the final exams. The Court has upheld that position and exams have to be conducted,” said Khare.
The UGC’s revised guidelines of July 6, 2020 stated that “In view of the emerging situation related to COVID-19 pandemic in India, it is important to safeguard the principles of health, safety, fair and equal opportunity for students. At the same time, it is very crucial to ensure academic credibility, career opportunities and future progress of students globally. Academic evaluation of students is a very important milestone in any education system,” and asked colleges and universities to complete the examinations by the end of September, 2020 in offline (pen and paper)/ online/ blended (online + offline) mode following the prescribed protocols/ guidelines related to COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the SC said that States that under Disaster Management Act can postpone exams in view of pandemic and that states can consult UGC to fix dates for holding examination at a date convenient and suitable in view of the pandemic.
“Yes, there are some universities completely in containment zones who may not be able to conduct the exams by September 30. They can consult the UGC for the same so that a new schedule as per their convenience can be worked out. However, the exams have to be conducted,” said Khare.
Watch: NEET & JEE- Should we have exams now?
SC rules that final year examinations for college/ university students have to be held. But states under Disaster Management Act can postpone exams in view of the pandemic. The Court also said that no state can promote final year students without final examination as ordered by UGC.
“That has been the position of the UGC’s that degrees can’t be awarded without the final exams. The Court has upheld that position and exams have to be conducted,” said Khare.
The UGC’s revised guidelines of July 6, 2020 stated that “In view of the emerging situation related to COVID-19 pandemic in India, it is important to safeguard the principles of health, safety, fair and equal opportunity for students. At the same time, it is very crucial to ensure academic credibility, career opportunities and future progress of students globally. Academic evaluation of students is a very important milestone in any education system,” and asked colleges and universities to complete the examinations by the end of September, 2020 in offline (pen and paper)/ online/ blended (online + offline) mode following the prescribed protocols/ guidelines related to COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Any further delay in holding NEET, JEE will create untenable situation’
Any delay in holding the JEE and NEET-UG exams will lead to a zero academic year resulting in a loss for students, education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal told TOI.
However, the SC said that States that under Disaster Management Act can postpone exams in view of pandemic and that states can consult UGC to fix dates for holding examination at a date convenient and suitable in view of the pandemic.
“Yes, there are some universities completely in containment zones who may not be able to conduct the exams by September 30. They can consult the UGC for the same so that a new schedule as per their convenience can be worked out. However, the exams have to be conducted,” said Khare.
Watch: NEET & JEE- Should we have exams now?
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