Maharashtra, Delhi move to cancel final-year exams ‘entirely wrong’, UGC tells SC

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 13

Terming the decisions taken by governments of Maharashtra and Delhi to cancel final-year university examinations as “entirely wrong”, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday asserted that its July 6 guidelines setting September 30 deadline for such examinations were binding on state universities.

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court ahead of Friday hearing, the UGC pointed out that the Maharashtra Government’s stand was contradictory inasmuch as it wanted the final year examinations to be cancelled but new academic session to commence.

“Needless to say, those alleged circumstances should then prevent even the commencement of the next academic session. That apart, the State Govt. avers that the next academic session must begin in the interest of students, while, at the same time, contending that the final examinations should be cancelled and degrees can be awarded without such examinations even though such a step would irreparably damage the future of students,” the UGC said, terming Maharashtra government’s contention as “meritless”.

It also attacked the Delhi Government’s decision to “unilaterally” cancel the final year examinations and to allow graduate students to use alternative assessment measures in contravention of the UGC’s guidelines even though it was required to hold such examinations in the interest of students.

“Decision taken by Delhi government will impact the standard of higher education in the country which the UGC is mandated to maintain,” it submitted.

A Bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan is to take up on Friday petitions challenging the UGC’s July 6 circular mandating holding of final year examinations by September 30.

The higher education regulator had earlier told the top court that not holding examinations will not be in students’ interest as their degrees may not be recognised if the states would act unilaterally and cancel final year examinations in violation of UGC norms.

States couldn’t change the UGC rules which only the regular of higher education was empowered to prescribe for awarding degrees, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing UGC, had told a Bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, which had earlier refused to stay the UGC’s decision.

The UGC maintained that its decision was taken “after due deliberation by taking into account and balancing all relevant factors” and that its circular was issued to “protect the academic future of students”, while keeping in mind their “health and safety”.