The University Grants Commission or UGC, the higher education regulator, has today released the annual examination details and a new academic calendar for the universities and colleges which are shut due to the coronavirus lockdown. The commission said the intermediate semester students will be graded based on internal assessment of the present and previous semester while the exams for the terminal semester students will be held in the month of July. For intermediate semester students in the states where the COVID-19 situation has normalized, there will be exams in the month of July. 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.
Regarding the pending examinations, the Commission has also said the universities may adopt alternative and simplified modes and methods of examinations to complete the process in shorter period of time.
It also said the 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," it added.
UGC Releases Academic Calendar, Exam Guidelines: 10 Important Points
The Commission has allowed extension of 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.
According to the guidelines, universities may follow a 6-day week pattern and the Commission added in view of present scenario and future uncertainties they may adopt or adapt and implement the proposed guidelines in a transparent manner 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.
UGC Guidelines On College Exams: 'Carry Forward', Online Viva-Voce, And Other Suggestions
In view of Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the 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.
UGC academic calendar
The following calendar is suggested for the academic session 2019-2020:
Start of Even Semester | 01.01.2020 |
Suspension of Classes | 16.03.2020 |
Continuation of Teaching-Learning through various modes such as Online Learning / Distance Learning / Social Media (WhatsApp / YouTube) / E-mails / Video Conferencing / Mobile Apps / SWAYAMPRABHA Channels on DTH etc. | 16.03.2020 to 31.05.2020 |
Finalisation of Dissertation/ Project Work/ Internship Reports/ E-labs/ Completion of Syllabus/ Internal Assessment/ Assignment/ Students Placement Drive etc. | 01.06.2020 to 15.06.2020 |
Summer Vacations# | 16.06.2020 to 30.06.2020 |
Conduct of Examinations: Terminal Semester/ Year Intermediate Semester/Year | 01.07.2020 to 15.07.2020 16.07.2020 to 31.07.2020 |
Evaluation and Declaration of Result: Terminal Semester/ Year Intermediate Semester/ Year | 31.07.2020 14.08.2020 |
New academic session
The following calendar is suggested for the academic session 2020-2021:
Admission Process | 01.08.2020 to 31.08.2020 | |
Commencement of Classes Students of 2nd/ 3rdyear Fresh batch (First Semester/Year) | 01.08.2020 01.09.2020 | |
Conduct of Examinations | 01.01.2021 to 25.01.2021 | |
Commencement of Classes for 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 Next Academic Session | 02.08.2021 | |
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.
UGC Releases Academic Calendar. New Session To Begin In September
These UGC guidelines on examinations and academic calendar for the universities in view of COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown were issued in 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 the occasion.
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