Admissions to first-year undergraduate and postgraduate courses of 2021-22 academic session of all universities and colleges must be completed by September 30 and classes for the first-year batches at both levels must start by October 1, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said.

In case there is delay in publication of the Class XII board examination results the universities and colleges can start the classes for the first-year batch by October18.

The results of Class XII examinations are expected to be declared by July 31. The admission process in the colleges and universities must start after the publication of the Class XII board examination results, the UGC said.

After commencement of the classes, students can be taught through offline, online or in blended mode, the UGC said in its guidelines for the 2021-22 academic calendar released by it on Friday.

As for the current 2020-21 sessions it will be compulsory for universities and colleges to conduct the terminal or semester and the final year exams. These exams must be completed by August 31.

The tests can be held in offline, online or in blended mode, the guidelines issued to vice-chancellors of all universities and college principals said.

 “Terminal semester or final-year exams will be compulsorily conducted in offline (pen & 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,” according to UGC guideline.

The guidelines further said in view of the financial hardships faced by parents during the lockdown, the institutions will have to refund full fees to students in case the admissions get cancelled. The institutions must refund the fees within October 31 this year.     

“It is made clear that the entire fee, including all charges, should be refunded (i.e. there should be zero cancellation charges) on account of cancellations/ migrations up to October 31, 2021. Thereafter, on cancellation/ withdrawal of admissions up to December 31, 2021, the entire fee collected from a student should be refunded in full after deducting not more than Rs.1000/- as processing fee,” the guidelines said.

According to the guidelines, the institutions will be able to plan their classes, internal examinations and the semester break of the 2021-22 session between October 1,2021 and July 31, 2022. The planning will have to be done following the Covid-19 protocol.

Also Read: CBSE class XII results by July 31, moderation portal to open on Friday