Punjab Government Asks UGC To Review Decision On Final Year Varsity Exams Amid Rising Covid 19 Cases In The State

The Punjab government has written to the Centre about the inability of the state to hold final year university exams.

Photo/PTI

New Delhi: The Punjab government has written to the Centre expressing their inability to conduct the final year university exams after the recent guidelines from the University Grants Commission (UGC) opposing the cancellation of exams. According to media reports the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has written to the UGC saying that holding exams is not feasible in the prevailing conditions and that many premises are being used as treatment centres for Covid 19 patients. The state government has also highlighted the problems faced by many students especially those from weaker economic sections in accessing technology. The Punjab CM had cancelled university and college exams last week due to the rising cases of coronavirus in the state. The minister had said that students will be promoted on the basis of their previous years' results and will also have an option to take the exams later. However, those universities who were conducting online exams will continue without any interruptions. But a day after the announcement the UGC issued fresh guidelines which allowed exams to be conducted and made it mandatory for final year students to appear for their papers. The guidelines also stated that Final Year examinations will be conducted by the universities/ institutions by September end and that the universities may choose any of mode – pen and paper, online, or a combination of both as per the feasibility and suitability. Students have been disappointed with the decision and several have protested against the decision.