Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : In view of Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the University Grants Commission (UGC) constituted an Expert Committee to deliberate and make recommendations on the issues related to the Examinations and the Academic Calendar to avoid academic loss and take appropriate measures for the future of students.
The Expert Committee was headed by Prof. R C Kuhad, former Member, UGC, and Vice Chancellor, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana, along with other members.
The Commission at its meeting held on April 27, 2020, accepted the Report of the Committee and approved the Guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar. These UGC guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar for the Universities in view of COVID-19 Pandemic and Subsequent Lockdown were issued in the presence of Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in New Delhi on April 29, 2020. Secretary, Higher Education, MHRD, Amit Khare, and senior officials of the Ministry and UGC were present on the occasion.
The following are the main recommendations in the guidelines issued by UGC:
1. Intermediate Semester Students: Will be graded based on internal assessment of the present and previous semester. In states where the COVID-19 situation has normalised, there will be exams in the month of July.
2. Terminal Semester Students: exams will be held in the month of July.
3. A COVID-19 cell will be constituted in every university which will be empowered to solve the issues of students related to academic calendar and examinations.
4. A COVID-19 cell in the UGC to be created for faster decision making.
The highlights of the Guidelines are : Guidelines are advisory in nature.
University may chart out its own plan of action taking into consideration the issues pertaining to COVID – 19 Pandemic
Ensure Social Distancing.
EXAMINATIONS
Universities may adopt alternative and simplified modes and methods of examinations to complete the process in shorter period of time.
Universities may adopt efficient and innovative modes of examinations by reducing the time from 3 hours to 2 hours.
Universities may conduct Terminal / Intermediate Semester / Year examinations in offline / online mode, as per their Ordinances/Rules and Regulations, Scheme of Examinations, observing the guidelines of “social distancing” and keeping in view the support system available with them and ensuring fair opportunity to all students.
Terminal semester/ year examinations for PG/ UG courses/ programmes may be conducted by universities as suggested in the academic calendar. The timing of the examination may be considered appropriately by the universities, and examination may be conducted keeping in mind the guidelines of “social distancing”, according to a PIB release.
In case the situation does not appear to be normal in view of COVID-19, in order to maintain “social distancing”, safety and health of the students, grading of the students could be composite of 50% marks on the basis of the pattern of internal evaluation adopted by the universities and the remaining 50% marks can be awarded on the basis of performance in previous semester only (if available). The internal evaluation can be continuous evaluation, prelims, mid-semester, internal evaluation or whatever name is given for student progression.
In the situations where previous semester or previous year marks are not available, particularly in the first year of annual pattern of examinations, 100% evaluation may be done on the basis of internal assessments. If the student wishes to improve the grades, he/she may appear in special exams for such subjects during next semester.
This provision for intermediate semester examinations is only for the current academic session (2019-20) in view of COVID-19 pandemic, while maintaining safety and health of all the stakeholders and sanctity and quality of examinations.