UGC Guidelines 2020: SC Adjourns Hearing Of Student Petition Against Final Year University Exams Till August 18

The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of pleas challenging the recent guidelines issued by the UGC for final year university exams to August 18.

File Photo/PTI

UGC latest news: The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing of the petitions challenging the University Grants Commission (UGC) latest guidelines regarding final year University exams. to August 18. The lead petition is filed by 31 students from different states against the decision of the UGC that has made it mandatory for universities and colleges to conduct exams by September 30th, 2020. The case was heard by a three-judge bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and MR Shah. Advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava appeared for students seeking to cancel the exam. According to a report by Bar and Bench, in the hearing, today questions were raised about the impact of UGC's decision on the health of the students. the problems of transportation and the feasibility of the exams since many students have gone back to their homes due to the pandemic were also raised. 'There is a great disparity between the classes of students who are expected to appear. Many students have gone back to their hometown," said Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi who is the lead Counsel in the case. He also asked why the UGC is adamant about conducting the exams as the pandemic has disrupted the teaching schedule. 'Exams have to be held after teaching ... teaching has been disrupted and exams will be held now?' said Singhvi in the report. Although clarity was expected from the hearing on August 10, the SC adjourned to August 14 after the UGC asked for time to respond to the affidavits filed by Delhi and Maharashtra. Both states have decided to cancel exams due to the rising Covid 19 cases. On Thursday, a PTI report said that the UGC submitted in the court the state government cannot go against its July 6 directive and cancel the exams. In the last hearing on July 31st, the UGC maintained that it has no intention of changing its decision and has advised that students continue their preparation for the final year exams.