The Maharashtra higher and technical education minister Uday Samant announced examinations will be held only for the final year students of both graduate and postgraduate courses this year in July, as per the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

In a Facebook live session, Samant said, “All university students, except those in the final year of their graduation course, will be promoted to the next academic year by respective universities. Final year students, as of this date, will be appearing for their exams between July 1 and 30.”

The exams will be held following social distancing rules. All the other students would be promoted based on the marks of the previous semesters and grades obtained in internal assessment. Students not happy with their grades will further get a chance to improve their grade. Students who fail even after applying grading pattern will be promoted and given a chance to clear the papers in the next term. Beside, students who get ATKT will have to clear the subjects within three months of the new academic semester.

“As of now, we expect respective universities to ensure a timetable is ready for all final year students and results for all exams are announced by August 15 so that the next academic year can begin by first week of September,” Samant added.

A committee of six members was set up to review the situation, which submitted the report on May 6. The committee included Mumbai University vice-chancellor (VC) Suhas Pednekar, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) VC Nitin Karmalkar, SNDT University’s VC Sashikala Wanjari, Kolhapur’s Shivaji University VC Devanad Shinde, Technical education director Abhay Wagh, higher education director Dhanraj Mane.

The report was discussed with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and governor following which the decision was announced.

Source: Hindustan Times