In view of the Covid-19 pandemic and the 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 students. The official from the Commission, the higher education regulator, which is currently deliberating on the plans for the academic activities based on two expert committee reports submitted last week, said the guidelines would be released either on Wednesday or Thursday.
According to the guidelines released today, college sessions will begin in August for current students and September for new ones. Schools and colleges have been closed across the country since last month amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Commission said- For the pending examination, the universities may adopt alternative and simplified modes and methods of examinations to complete the process in a shorter period. It also said the universities might take efficient and innovative patterns of examinations by reducing the time from 3 hours to 2 hours.
The Commission has allowed the extension of a six months period to the M.Phil. Or Ph.D. students and told the universities that they may conduct the Ph.D. and M. Phil. Viva -Voce examinations through video conferencing using Google, Skype, Microsoft Technologies, or any other reliable and mutually convenient technology.
“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 the fair opportunity to all students,” it added.
According to the guidelines, universities may follow a 6-day week pattern and the Commission added because of present scenario and future uncertainties they may adopt or adapt and implement the proposed guidelines transparently by making alterations or additions or modifications or amendments to deal with particular situations in the best interest of students, educational institution and the entire education system.
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.
UGC Updated the Academic Calendar-
| Start of Semester | 01.01.2020 |
| Suspension due to COVID-19 | 16.03.2020 |
| Continuation of Teaching (Online Classes) | 16.03.2020 to 31.05.2020 |
| Final Submission of syllabus /projects/ Assignments etc. | 01.06.2020 to 15.06.2020 |
| Summer Vacations | 16.06.2020 to 30.06.2020 |
| Final Examinations- Terminal Semester/ Year Intermediate Semester/Year | 01.07.2020 to 15.07.2020 16.07.2020 to 31.07.2020 |
| Declaration of Result- Terminal Semester/ Year Intermediate Semester/ Year | 31.07.2020 14.08.2020 |
New Academic Session-
| Admission Process | 01.08.2020 to 31.08.2020 |
| Commencement of Classes Students of 2nd/ 3rdyear Fresh batch | 01.08.2020 01.09.2020 |
| Conduct of Examinations | 01.01.2021 to 25.01.2021 |
| Commencement of Even Semester | 27.01.2021 |
| Dispersal of Classes | 25.05.2021 |
| Conduct of Examinations | 26.05.2021 to 25.06.2021 |
| Summer Vacations | 01.07.2021 to 30.07.2021 |
| Commencement of Academic Session | 02.08.2021 |
The Commission at its meeting, which was 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 calendars for the universities in the view of COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown were issued in the presence of Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in New Delhi today. Secretary, Higher Education, MHRD Amit Khare, and senior officials of the Ministry and UGC were present on occasion.
