University Reopening: Offline Entrance Exams To Be Conducted After 17 Months - Check Details Here

 Universities, Schools and Colleges have started preparing to conduct examinations in physical mode. A consortium of 4 Central Universities would start conducting offline entrance exams in September.

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University Reopening: Schools and colleges have been closed since last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the examinations have not been conducted in physical mode. Now that COVID-19 cases are declining, schools and colleges have started to re-open, and educational institutes are also planning to conduct exams in physical mode.

Four Central Universities to conduct offline entrance exams in September:

A consortium comprising of Four Central Universities will conduct offline entrance exams in September, while some central schools will soon conduct entrance exams in physical mode. However, physical examinations will only be conducted after schools and universities get the green signal from the Union Ministry of Education. Entrance exams for many other universities such as Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and Agricultural Universities are also scheduled for September. However, these entrance exams may mark the reopening of colleges and universities that have been closed for more than 17 months.

NTA Permission to conduct physical examinations:

According to R.P. Tiwari, Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Punjab, "We have contacted the National Testing Agency (NTA), which works under the Education Ministry, and they have authorised us to conduct face-to-face examinations, which will be computer-based and would be held at external centers in September. At present, all necessary details are being finalised."

He further added that “this will benefit a consortium of 14 central universities which are relatively new. While taking this decision, we have kept the welfare of the students in our mind. COVID-19 is declining and we expect to see a better situation in September.”

Another central university administrator said, “Central Universities Common Entrance Test is not being held for all 40-odd central universities this year, but 14 universities are moving towards conducting national level entrance exams. In higher education and at the university level, lack of credible evaluation harms the students as well as institutions.”

COVID-19 security protocols need to be followed while conducting examinations

A ministry official stated "The ministry, as a principal, allows schools and institutions under its jurisdiction to conduct examinations. However, while doing so, they will have to follow the COVID-19 safety protocols, keeping in mind the health of the students and the staff conducting the exam."

The official said universities and institutions are free to contact NTA for any help in exam delivery. Delhi University is conducting post-graduate entrance examinations through NTA while Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is conducting it through NTA in September. These will be computer-based tests.