UGC Releases New UGC Guidelines, Allowed 6 Months Extension Period to the M.Phil and PhD Students.
The Commission Allowed Extension from 6 Months period to the M.Phil. or Ph.D. students and told the universities that they may conduct the Ph.D. and M. Phil. Viva -Voce examinations through video conferencing using Google, Skype, Microsoft Technologies, or any other reliable and mutually convenient technology.
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The New Academic Session for Freshers will begin in September while for 2nd and 3rd-year students, the academic session will begin in August, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said on Wednesday.
The commission also said that exams for final semester students will be conducted in July. Where it is difficult to hold exams, universities can mark students 50% on the basis of the pattern of internal evaluation, and the remaining 50% marks can be awarded on the basis of performance in the previous semester, the guidelines said.
“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,” it added.
The Commission has allowed the extension of six months period to the M.Phil. or Ph.D. students and told the universities that they may conduct the Ph.D. and M. Phil. Viva -Voce examinations through video conferencing using Google, Skype, Microsoft Technologies, or any other reliable and mutually convenient technology
Period of lockdown will be treated as ‘deemed to be attended’ by all the students.
Universities facing difficulty in holding exams due to COVID-19 should grade students on the basis of internal assessment and performance in the previous semester, UGC has decided. It has been provided that in case the previous semester’s result not being available, particularly in the first year, 100% evaluation may be done on the basis of internal assessments.
The internal evaluation can be continuous evaluation, prelims, mid-semester, internal evaluation or whatever name is given for student progression, the University Grants Commission said emphasizing the guidelines were “advisory” in nature.
“Intermediate students will be graded based on an internal assessment of the present and previous semester. In states where the COVID-19 situation has normalized, there will be exams in the month of July. For terminal semester students, exams will be held in July,” the UGC said.
As per the 2020-21 academic session, the admissions for the fresh batch will happen in the month of August.
“Universities may follow a six-day week pattern and devise proforma to record travel or stay a history of staff and students for the lockdown period. Extension of six months will be granted to MPhil, Ph.D. students, and viva-voice be conducted through video conference” it added.
