New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) asked the universities on Thursday, not to conduct offline exams in May and decide on conducting online exams after reviewing the local conditions. The commission stressed in its letter to all universities and colleges that during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, health and safety of everyone is most important.
Private universities can conduct the online examinations after ensuring that they are prepared in all respects. They also have to adhere to all the directions and guidelines issued by – the Central Government, State Government, Education Ministry, and the UGC.
UGC said in its statement, “Keeping in view the current scenario of COVID-19, it is requested that Higher Education Institutions may keep the offline examinations in abeyance during May to avoid physical gathering at the campuses and also provide much-needed relief to students, faculty and staff….”
Further it said, “However, for conduct of online examinations, HEIs may decide suitably after accessing local conditions….”
Earlier this month, the Education Ministry had directed all centrally-funded institutions (IITs, NITs, IIITs, Central Universities, etc) to postponed the offline exams which were scheduled in May. The ministry also said that the decision on examinations will be reviewed again in the first week of June, 2021.
The Education Ministry’s directions on exams were only for centrally-funded institutions. However, UGC’s advisory is for all the universities that are under its umbrella, including state-run and private universities.
Although, many state and central universities have already postponed offline exams for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Some universities to conduct the exams through alternative models which include open-book examinations. Others are yet to announce new dates and mode of examination.
