The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed institutions to hold the final-semester or final year exams by the end of September. UGC announced that “the final term exams are to be compulsorily conducted as per the UGC guidelines on examinations and academic calendar for the universities”. The council said these exams can be conducted through online, offline, or through a mixture of both. The university will hold a special exam for the final year students by September. It also stated that those with backlog will be evaluated only through an exam.
This decision was taken to “ensure academic credibility, career opportunities, and future progress of students globally”. The UGC said that, “Academic evaluation is a very important milestone in every education system. The performance in examinations gives confidence and satisfaction to the students and is a reflection of competence, performance and credibility that is necessary for global acceptability.”
Maharashtra Government has written to the HRD Ministry that it will not be possible for the state to hold the final year exam. The state is the most affected with more than 2 lakh coronavirus cases. The State education minister stated, “In such unforeseen, uncertain and critically challenging situation, conduct of final-year exams for approximately more than 10 lakh students seems highly infeasible and, if conducted, would endanger the wellbeing of students, parents, teachers, supporting staff and other machinery involved in the process”.
The Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, on June 26, cancelled all the final year exams for the non- professional courses. The state also requested the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to apply the same to the professional courses.