SUPREME COURT ON CONDUCTING FINAL EXAMS

The Supreme Court of India ruled that the States and Universities cannot promote students without holding final examinations.

Upholding the UGC guidelines, Supreme Court held that if any state wants an extension in conducting the final examination before September 30 due to Corona pandemic they must approach the UGC for the new date of examinations.

 “The state government can postpone the final examination as per the Disaster Management Act but fresh dates have to be fixed in consultation with UGC’’.

“The States are empowered to override the UGC in order to protect human lives during the pandemic under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. But the decision that students should be promoted without appearing in the final examination is not within the domain of the Act.” The Supreme Court specifically ruled.

In the interests of students, UGC has recommended three modes of examinations such as physical mode, online and both physical and online and a ‘special chance’ also may be given to students unable to take the exams.

The UGC has taken the direction on the recommendations of experts.  Some states had cancelled the final examination due to the spread of the pandemic, but UGC has directed that it will affect the standards of higher education in the country.

 All safety Covid protocols are to be followed while conducting the examinations.

NEET and JEE Examinations

The Ministers of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Maharashtra have moved the Supreme Court seeking review of the order permitting the central government to conduct JEE and NEET entrance examinations.

 JEE will be conducted in 660 Examination centres with 9.53 lakh students  and NEET will be taking 15.97 lakh students in 3843 centres all over the country.