The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Saturday issued guidelines for colleges and universities in India, asking them to start the new – 2021-22 – academic session from October 1. The statutory body further said that colleges and universities must conduct the examination for final-year college students ‘mandatorily’. It added that for intermediate classes – first and second-year students – there will be no final exams.

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In a notice, the UGC said that the terminal semester or final-year exams will be compulsorily conducted in offline (pen and paper) or online or blended (online + offline) mode by no later than August 31, 2021 following the prescribed protocols/ guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

These guidelines were similar to the ones a panel had suggested for intermediate students last year, making 50% marks on the basis of the pattern of internal evaluation and the remaining 50% marks on the basis of performance adopted by the universities.

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Admissions for the first-year courses in universities and colleges have to be completed by September 30, UGC added. 

Universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) have been asked to ensure that the admission process for undergraduate courses begins only after the declaration of results by the CBSE, ICSE and all state boards.

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“It is expected that all school boards will declare their results for class 12 exams by July 31. If there is any delay in declaration of the result of qualifying exams, the new academic session may begin by October 18,” the UGC said in the new guidelines.

The commission has clarified that the teaching-learning process must continue in offline, online or blended mode.

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“The institutions may plan for classes, breaks, conduct of examinations, semester break etc. during October 1 to July 31, following necessary protocols and advisories issued by central and state governments from time to time in view of COVID-19 pandemic,” the guidelines said.

In view of the financial hardships faced by parents during the pandemic, the commission has asked varsities and HEIs to ensure fee is fully refunded in cases of cancellation of admission or migration of students.