UGC releases complete guidelines for universities against COVID-19 outbreak

According to the latest guidelines, released by education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, all merit-based admissions must be complete by the end of October and all remaining vacant seats filled by the end of November.

The University Grants Commission (UGC), on Friday, i.e. September 25, 2020, released the complete list of guidelines to be followed by universities during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation. According to the latest guidelines, released by education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, all merit-based admissions must be complete by the end of October and all remaining vacant seats filled by the end of November." The UGC, in its latest guidelines, stated, “Merit/entrance based admissions to the first-year programmes for the session 2020-21 be completed by the end of October 2020. The last date for admissions to fill up the remaining vacant seats shall be November 30.”

The Commission further added, “If the university faces difficulties in making admission as per the existing policy it may adopt alternative modes of admission processes, if otherwise legally tenable." UGC also instructed universities to follow a 6-day week pattern to compensate for the loss of classes. Earlier, the education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ revealed that classes for the new semester are set to begin from November 1, as per the UGC guidelines. The guidelines also state that semester examination for odd semesters are set to be conducted between March 6 and March 26, 2021. Exams for even semesters will be held from June 9 to June 21, 2021.

UGC Guidelines for Universities 

The UGC also asked universities to avail special concessions to students and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic “In order to avoid the financial hardships faced by parents due to the lockdown and related factors, full refund of fees to be made on account of cancellation of all cancellation of admission or migration of students upto November 30,” UGC said. The guidelines reiterated that the focus on social distancing and modes of teaching will be similar to that of previous guidelines. 

Earlier, the Commission issued guidelines stating that the academic sessions of the University would start from September. However, later, UGC postponed the dates due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases. 

Read More:

• UGC asks institutions to apply for recognition of online courses by October 15
• UGC approves Gondwana University to receive central funds