Universities can conduct exams for 1st and 2nd year as per UGC guidelines: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has ruled in its recent hearing that Universities and Colleges across the country are allowed to conduct exams for 1st and 2nd-year students as well in accordance with the University Grants Commission's (UGC) guidelines.

The Supreme Court has ruled in its recent hearing that Universities and Colleges across the country are allowed to conduct exams for 1st and 2nd-year students as well in accordance with the University Grants Commission's (UGC) guidelines, released on July 6, 2020. However, the holding of exams for Intermediate Semester students was left to the discretion of the respective university by the UGC.

The Apex Court also provided clarification regarding the extension of the applicability of the UGC Guidelines during the hearing of a petition filed by an IGNOU student, who had challenged the varsity’s decision to hold the exams for intermediate semester students. As per the order passed by the Supreme Court of India, UGC has given the discretionary powers to decide whether exams for intermediate semester students shall be held or not. The plea was heard by a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R S Reddy and M R Shah.

The bench in its order noted that the Apex Court can't start deciding on whether the exams are necessary or not. It also noted that IGNOU’s decision to hold intermediate semester exams ‘doesn’t violate the UGC’s July 6 guidelines.” The decision may lead to other universities also deciding in favour of holding exams for intermediate semester students in the different modes permitted by the Commission.  

Earlier, in a separate hearing, the Supreme Court had ruled out that all Universities will have to mandatorily conduct the Final year/ Final Semester exams in line with the guidelines released by the UGC on July 6. The Apex Court also provided some relief to state governments and universities and allowed them to seek relaxation in the deadline to hold exams by making a formal request to UGC.  

Read More:

• Meghalaya Government to request UGC to extend deadline to conduct final semester exams
• Odisha government urges UGC to extend final year examination deadline to October 10
• University of Jammu to hold final semester exams for UG courses from September 15; Check details here