The University Grants Commission (UGC,) on the 18th of August, directed all the universities in India to conduct final year/semester examinations for degree, post graduate (PG) and other courses by the end of September.
The decision of the UGC came after the Supreme Court (SC) reserved its order regarding final year or semester examination amid the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 situation.
A bench comprising three judges of SC asked the UGC to decide on the final year exams.
During the court proceedings, the UGC said, states do not have the power to cancel university exams and that states should not decide to promote students without conducting final year exams at degree level.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, on behalf of the UGC, told the court that the state authorities could not violate their guidelines on examinations and that the examinations should be conducted under any circumstances.
Agreeing with the UGC, The Apex Court said, “Students cannot decide their welfare. Authorities can.”
The bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan said, “Students are not competent enough to decide.”
The UGC asked all state governments to conduct examinations by the 30th of September this year.
However, students of first year and second year were promoted due to the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 break out in India.
Till the 19th of August, India reported a total of
27,67,274 positive cases, of which 6,76,514 are active cases, 20,37,871 are recovered/discharged and 51,797 death cases.
Stay tuned for further updates.
