New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court rebutting the stand of Maharashtra and Delhi governments to cancel final-year examinations.
UGC has stated that the decision taken by the two governments will directly impact the standards of higher education in the country, which the commission is mandated to maintain.
The autonomous body has contended that to cancel the final-year or terminal semester examinations and grant students graduation degrees using “alternative assessment measures” is in contravention to the UGC’s guidelines and that they are required to hold such examinations in the “interest of the students”.
Moreover, the affidavit avers that the UGC is the apex body for regulating standards of higher education in the country, including the standards of examination, because the UGC Act is traced to Entry 66 of List I of Schedule VII of the Constitution. It highlights that the conduct of course-ending terminal exams are crucial to the academic and career interests of students.
The affidavit further highlights that universities are bound by UGC guidelines.
A bench led by Justice Ashok Bhushan had asked the UGC to reply to Maharashtra and Delhi’s stand of not conducting the final-year exams.
The Court had also asked for a clarification on whether the Disaster Management Act notifications can override the UGC guidelines.
Also Read: Supreme Court Adjourns Hearing In Plea Challenging UGC Guidelines Till August 14
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