New academic session from Sept 1: UGC

Manash.Gohain@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:30.04.2020

The new academic session will begin in universities from September 1and from August 1 for those already enrolled, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has said in its guidelines on examinations and academic calendar in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pending university exams are to be conducted in July.

The admissions for the 2020-21 session will be conducted between August 1-31, according to the guidelines issued on Wednesday. It has also been recommended that universities may adopt alternative and simplified modes and methods of examinations to complete the process in a shorter period of time like reducing the time from 3 hours to 2 hours as well as offering flexibility of both online and offline exams.

The guidelines, based on the recommendations of two expert committees, are suggestive in nature and universities can adjust as per their requirement. The UGC said if normalcy fails to return, grading of students could be composite of 50% marks on the basis of internal evaluation and 50% marks on the basis of performance in previous semester (if available).

In view of the uncertain situation, higher educational institutions have been given the freedom to adopt/ adapt and implement these guidelines by making alterations, additions or modifications to deal with any particular situations in the best interest of students, the institution and the entire education system.

No plan to drop board exams: CBSE

The pending examinations for Class X and Class XII would be conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). There is no change in the decision of conducting exams for the 29 subjects post lockdown, CBSE stated on Wednesday. This has put to rest the speculations doing the rounds that the pending Class X exams for the northeast (NE) Delhi have been cancelled. On April 1, CBSE had announced via a circular that it would conduct Board exams for 29 subjects, including six Class X subjects for the northeast Delhi, 11Class XII subjects for NE Delhi and 12 Class XII subjects for all India. In its April 1release, CBSE had clarified that it would conduct examinations for only main subjects that might be required for promotion and crucial for admissions in higher educational institutions.