MPhil
University Grants Commission

A panel of the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Friday recommended that the academic session in universities and higher educational institutions can be started from September instead of July due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

As per reports, the UGC had formed two committees for looking into issues of holding examinations and online classes as the coronavirus outbreak in the country had halted examinations and led to the cancellation of classes in all educational institutions.

One of the committees led by Haryana University Vice-Chancellor RC Kuhad was constituted to look into ways of holding exams amid the nationwide lockdown.

The other committee led by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Vice Chancellor Nageshwar Rao was formed to give recommendations on ways of improving online education in the country.

Both the committees had submitted their reports on Friday.

One committee recommended that the new academic session can be started from September while the other panel suggested that universities can conduct online exams if they have the infrastructure and means or wait for the lockdown to get over and then decide a date for pen and paper based examinations.

However, the two reports will now be studied and official announcements regarding the final decisions taken by the UGC  are expected to be given by next week.