Supreme Court has accepted the petition filed by 31 students against the revised UGC guidelines to conduct final-year or final semester exams in colleges and universities all over India. The University Grants Commission has now been asked by the apex court to submit a reply within 3 days. The next hearing is scheduled for July 31.
As per the revised exam guidelines provided by UGC in accordance with the Home Ministry and HRD Ministry orders, final-year university exams are compulsory across India. The exams need to be held by September-end in online, offline, or blended mode.
[Breaking] Conduct of final year university exams amid COVID-19: Supreme Court seeks UGC response, matter to be heard on July 31@ugc_india #StudentsInSCAgainstUGC @advocate_alakh @anubha1812 @AUThackeray #31StudentsInSCForJustice #ExamsInCovidASuicide https://t.co/ufK2vILUN9
— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) July 27, 2020
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court heard the bath of petitions. The four petitions heard today were submitted by:
1. 31 students across Indian Universities
2. Final year law student, Yash Dubey
3. Yuvasena leader, Aditya Thackeray
4. Student, Krushna Waghmare
Final year exams deemed compulsory by UGC
Students have been protesting against the conduction of final-year exams amidst the Covid-19 pandemic for a long time now. Even so, UGC responded by issuing revised exam guidelines two weeks ago instead of canceling the exams.
UGC also stated that out of the 818 universities in India, 209 had already conducted exams while the remaining 394 were planning for them in August or September.
HRD Minister Ramesh Nishank Pokhriyal had also supported the exams, saying that they were a “reflection of their (students’) ability, performance, and reliability that is essential for global acceptance”.
As per a new directive by the UGC, in case a student is unable to appear for the final-year exams, he or she can appear for a special exam by the institution at a later date.
Petitioners demand
The petitioners against the U.G.C. guidelines for the final-year or final-semester exams have demanded that the exams be cancelled owing to the health risks that will arise due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The petitioners have submitted that the results be declared on the basis of the past performance of students.
Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued for Yash Dubey, saying: "We are challenging July 7 notification for U.G.C. which mandates final year exams in universities by Sept 30. This is unrealistic and remarkable amid Covid-19. UGC earlier wanted to take a look at Covid and changed guidelines."