UGC Directs Colleges to Conclude 1st Year Admissions by Sept 30 and Start Classes by Oct 1

NEW DELHI:

In light of the Covid-19 scenario, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced examination rules and the academic calender for admissions to all universities and colleges.

According to the program, all higher education institutions must finish the final year/semester examinations in either online, offline, or mixed mode by August 31. Students in the intermediate semester/year will also be evaluated based on internal evaluation and prior semester examinations. The judgement is consistent with the rules in effect in 2020. Concerning fresh admissions, the UGC has directed all institutions to complete admitting first-year undergraduate and postgraduate students by September 30. The deadline for filling the vacant positions has been set for October 31. 

The academic year for first semester/year students starts on October 1. Relevant qualifying examination documents can be accepted until the 31st of December, announced UGC. 

If the declaration of class 12 results is delayed, the university body has allowed students till October 18 to begin classes. 

Aside from that, the UGC has declared that institutions would not charge any cancellation fees for withdrawal of admission till October 31 due to the financial challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Following that, institutions may collect a maximum of Rupees one thousand as a processing charge if a student withdraws or cancels enrollment before December 31. UGC has left the style of teaching that was in place at the time, in accordance with the applicable norms and procedures in the state. It is said that teaching and learning would continue in a mixed format.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has stated that the class 12 exam results would be released on July 31. The comment was made during a hearing of petitions concerning CBSE, ICSE, and state board examinations for class 12. In light of the rampant second wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the centre suspended the CBSE class 12 board examinations on June 1. Following the government's decision, the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) decided to cancel its class 12 board examinations this year, and so did the state boards in the country.  

As a result, on June 3, the Supreme Court directed the CBSE and ISCE to record the objective evaluation criteria within two weeks. The court stated that a longer period of time to provide the evaluation criteria could not be granted because many students are seeking admission to colleges in India and overseas. Later, the Supreme Court directed state boards to provide class 12 test results by July 31.

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