SC to hear plea against UGC mandated examination circular, on July 27

The Supreme Court will hear a plea on July 27, challenging the University Grants Commission (UGC) circular and demanding cancellation of final term examinations mandated by UGC.

Around 31 students from different universities across the country have approached the apex court to scrap the UGC circular, asking all the universities to conduct the final term examinations before September 30, 2020.

In the petition filed by students from 13 states and one UT, students have demanded cancellation of exams and results of such students to be announced based on an internal assessment or past performances. They have also requested to release the mark sheet before July 31, 2020.

Among the 31 petitioners, one has been tested COVID positive and prayed for directions to the UGC to adopt the CBSE model and conduct the examinations later at a later date for the students who are not satisfied with the marks based on internal assessment.

Also read Universities in Bengaluru Baffled by September 30 Exam Deadline Set by UGC

Meanwhile, UGC said that universities were approached to get the status of examinations and they received responses from 818 universities across India, which includes 291 private universities, 121 deemed universities, 355 state universities, and 51 central universities.

Out of these 818 universities, 209 universities have already conducted the examinations either online/offline. Another 603 universities have also conducted or are planning to conduct and 394 are planning to conduct in online/offline or blended mode in August or September 2020.

Also Read Delhi HC Asks UGC- Can final year exams be based on MCQs/ Open choices/assignments? 

UGC also stated that for 35 universities, out of which 27 are private, 7 are state-run and one is deemed university, the first batch is yet to become eligible for the final examinations.

There was another petition filed in the apex court by a final year law student Yash Dubey, seeking cancellation of the UGC mandated examination. On the other hand, Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray has also approached the apex court on behalf of Yuva Sena, against the mandatory final year exams.

Also Read IGNOU: Final Year Exams to Be Conducted in September as per UGC Guidelines