UGC issues new guidelines of academic calendar and exam schedule.
UGC Releases Semester Exam Details, New Academic Calendar. Directs universities to conduct terminal semester exams in July
The Expert Committee was headed by Prof. R. C. Kuhad, Former Member, UGC and Vice Chancellor, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana along with other members.These UGC guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar for the Universities in View of COVID-19 Pandemic and Subsequent Lockdown were issued in presence of Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' in New Delhi today. Secretary, Higher Education, MHRD Shri Amit Khare and senior officials of the Ministry and UGC were present on the occasionThe following are the main recommendations in the guidelines issued by UGC today 2. Terminal Semester Students: exams will be held in the month of July.4. A COVID-19 cell in the UGC to be created for faster decision making.The highlights of the Guidelines are as under:University may chart out its own plan of action taking into consideration the issues pertaining to COVID – 19 PandemicUniversities may adopt alternative and simplified modes and methods of examinations to complete the process in shorter period of time .Universities may conduct Terminal / Intermediate Semester / Year examinations in offline / online mode, as per their Ordinances/Rules and Regulations, Scheme of Examinations, observing the guidelines of “social distancing” and keeping in view the support system available with them and ensuring fair opportunity to all students.For intermediate semester/year students, the universities may conduct examinations,after making a comprehensive assessment of their level of preparedness, residential status of the students, status of COVID-19 pandemic spread in different regions / state and other factors.If the student wishes to improve the grades, he/she may appear in special exams for such subjects during next semester.Period of lockdown may be treated as ‘deemed to be attended’ by all the students/ research scholars.The universities may conduct the practical examinations and Viva-Voce Examinations through Skype or other meeting apps, and in case of intermediate semesters, the practical examinations may be conducted during the ensuing semesters.Extension of six months period to the M.Phil.or Ph.D. students.The UGC will establish a Help Line for monitoring student grievances related to examinations and academic activities during COVID-19 pandemic.The following calendar is suggested for the academic session 2019-2020: #- If situation so demands, the universities can have Summer Vacations for 30 days from 01-06-2020 to 30-06-2020. In that case the teaching-learning through various modes can be held up to 15-05-2020 and subsequently Finalization of Dissertation etc. may be completed from 16-05-2020 to 31-05-2020.The following calendar is suggested for the academic session 2020-2021:Some General Guidelines2. Students be given exposure to laboratory assignments/ practical experiments through virtual laboratories, sharing of the recorded visuals of laboratory work and digital resources available for the purpose.4. Develop virtual classroom and video conferencing facility and all teaching staff should be trained with the use of the technology.6. Strengthen the mechanism of mentor-mentee counselling.8. Faculty should be adequately trained for the use of ICT and online teaching tools, so that they complete about 25% of the syllabus through online teaching and 75% syllabus through face to face teaching.NoteUniversities may adopt/ adapt and implement these Guidelines in a transparent manner by making alterations/ additions/ modifications/ amendments to deal with particular situation(s) in the best interest of students, educational institution and the entire education system,Educational institutions located at places where the Government (Centre/ State) have imposed restrictions on gathering of public, the institutions may plan accordingly.The report submitted by the Expert Committee Constituted By UGC was headed by Prof. R. C. Kuhad, Former Member, UGC and Vice Chancellor, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, Haryana to deliberate and make recommendations on the issues related to the Examinations and the Academic Calendar to avoid academic loss and take appropriate measures for the future of students.
