UGC Guidelines 2020: Uncertainty Continues

Delhi: There is no relief in sight for students soon as the Supreme Court has adjourned to August 14 the hearing for pleas challenging University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines issued on July 6 and cancellation of final term examination in view of COVID-19 situation.

During the hearing today, according to the news agency ANI Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for University Grants Commission had said that it is the only body that can prescribe rules for conferring a degree, states cannot change rules and it is not in the interest of students to not have exams.

The hearing for the petition filed by 31 students challenging the recent University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines was scheduled for today on July 31. The plea challenges the recent guidelines that made it mandatory for Universities to conduct the final year exams using any– pen and paper, online or a combination of both by September. In the last hearing that was held in July, the UGC submitted that they are not willing to change their decision.

In the last hearing, the UGC submitted a 50-page affidavit responding to a different petition including the one filed by Shiv Sena's youth wing 'Yuva Sena. The affidavit said that the UGC will not change its decision as it was based on the assessment by an expert panel. The academic body said that an expert committee (which comprised vice-chancellors of technical universities and a representative of industry) was formed to access the situation and make a decision on the final year exams.