-Mita Mukherjee

The Union Education Ministry has asked all centrally-funded institutions to postpone all offline examinations scheduled for May in view of the second wave of Covid-19 sweeping in the country, according to the ministry.

The institutions can conduct the online examinations as per schedule.

The institutions funded by the Centre include the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)s, National Institute of Technology (NIT)s, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)s and the Central Universities.

In a letter addressed to the heads of all centrally-funded institutes, Amit Khare, higher education secretary also asked the institutions to provide necessary help to all those in the institution who need assistance and ensure they come out of the distress. The heads have also been asked to encourage all eligible persons to get vaccinated.    

“As you are aware the second wave of COVID -19 is currently sweeping many parts of the country. I am sure you must have undertaken all the efforts to ensure your safety as well as the safety of your institution’s members. 2. In the existing situation, it is important to ensure that any one in your institution needing any assistance is provided immediate possible help so that she/he comes out of the distress at the earliest. It is also important to encourage the eligible persons to go for vaccination and ensure that everyone follows COVID -19 appropriate behaviour to remain safe. 3. In the context of existing situation, I urge all the heads of Centrally Funded Institutions to postpone the offline examinations scheduled in the month of May 2021. The online examinations, etc. may however continue,” the letter reads.

The ministry will review the Covid-19 situation in the first week of June again and take appropriate decisions.

In view e of the increasing number Covid-19 cases students of some centrally funded institutes like Aligarh Muslim University and Delhi University had appealed to the authorities regarding postponement of university examinations.

The ministry has taken the decision to ask the centrally-funded institutes not to conduct their examination in May considering the students’ demand, it is learnt.

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