NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the UGC to clarify that can final year examinations by the universities be conducted based on MCQ, assignments and presentations, instead of long form exams.
Justice Prathiba M Singh asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) to explain the import of its guidelines issued in April, which mentioned the type of examinations that can be held by a college, for conducting final year exams.
However, guidelines issued by the UGC mention only about the three modes of conducting examinations — online, offline and mix of both.
The HC, which observed that unlike universities across the world, DU has not been helping its students, listed the matter for further hearing on July 24.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing UGC, assured the HC that there was no divergence internally between the HRD Ministry and UGC.
The UGC submitted that the guidelines don’t permit internal assessment for evaluating final year students as it puts credibility of the system at stake.
The HC was hearing a plea challenging DU’s decision to hold exams for final year UG courses in open book format.
The varsity contended that they were holding online exams as UGC guidelines make it mandatory to hold final year exams.
Advocate Akash Sinha, appearing for the petitioner, said he was challenging the manner in which exams are being conducted and sought that there should be an alternative for OBEs as it is not the only option as per UGC guidelines.
HC directs DU to consider giving degrees online
The HC directed the Delhi University to seriously consider the option of setting up a special cell for entertaining students issues of digital certificates, mark sheets and transcripts.
The court said students ought not to be forced to approach courts for issuance of their mark sheets.