7 things you need to know while you wait for UGC on New Guidelines on Uni Exams

We are expecting the UGC to release a new academic calendar and revised guidelines regarding the conduct of final year exams soon. This is through the directions of the HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank”. He has asked the UGC to “revisit” the academic calendar and guidelines released in April. He also said that the foundation for revisited guidelines will be “health and safety students, teachers, and staff”.

But, since the announcement, there has been a lot of confusion regarding the conduct of final year exams and the new academic year. Especially due to the fact that it has been two weeks and the UGC has still not spoken up. But here are 7 things that we know so far:

1. HRD Minister asked UGC to revisit guidelines

In a tweet, he said, "I have advised the to revisit the guidelines issued earlier for intermediate and Terminal Semester examinations and academic calendar. The foundation for revisited guidelines shall be health and safety students, teachers and staff." This was on June 24 and almost two weeks later, we wait for UGC to speak up.

2. Several states cancel all exams before UGC

At least seven States have cancelled their college and university examinations. These include Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. They did this without waiting for the UGC’s fresh guidelines. However, some private universities might conduct online exams in these states.

3. Work From Home for teachers till July 31

A recent circular by MHRD has directed institutes to allow teachers, researchers, non-teaching staff to work from home till July 31. If they are working from home, how will exams happen?

4. Kuhad Committee report

Lakhs of students await for UGC to issue new guidelines, For that, a panel of experts, chaired by Haryana University vice-chancellor R C Kuhad, has been asked to revisit the UGC guidelines and come up with alternative options.

The lag is due to them waiting for the Kuhad Committee report. The central varsity of Haryana will look into various aspects of the situation and submit suggestions on final year exams to the UGC. Once the committee submits the report, the Commission will take its call based on the report.

5. Concerned students have stormed twitter

Students are concerned about their health and safety. So, they have been constantly protesting with demands to cancel the university, and entrance exams. The National Testing Agency, or NTA, has recently postponed JEE Main 2020, NEET 2020, and JEE Advanced 2020 exams.

6. Some colleges conduct open-book exams

Delhi University will conduct an Open Book Exam for final semester students from July 10. Aligarh Muslim University, or AMU, though, has postponed final year open book exams scheduled in July.

7. Open Universities also want inclusion

Not just mainstream universities, Open colleges demand exam cancellation. They have asked HRD Minister to treat them equivalent to private and public college-goers.

According to an India TV report, it might still take two days for the UGC to speak.