The complete chaos reigning within Delhi University on how and when to conduct final year exams in view of the pandemic and the lockdown has frustrated students stationed across the country. The Delhi High Court today (July 9) cut to the chase and directed that the DU must be clear and candid with the students and give clear timelines. “Have some empathy for the students,” the court commented.
The court’s division bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Subramonium Prasad, while hearing petitions challenging the Open Book Exam format, directed the DU to submit an affidavit stating: (a) the exact schedule of conducting the exams (b) whether they’ll be online or offline exams and (c) provisions for students who can’t take exams as of now.
The court wants the university to submit an affidavit stating the exact plan of conducting the exams, along with the date sheet, by July 13.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that both online and offline exams are allowed. He cited the MHRD guidelines on the conduct of offline exams. He said that the mode of conducting exams, online or offline, is the prerogative of the university. he said: “The UGC is not giving the option of promoting final year students on the basis of internal assessment.”
The counsel for Delhi University submitted that an emergency meeting was held which has suggested that students shall be given more time to acclimatise themselves with the changes.
At that the court interjected: “But the UGC was not part of that meeting.”
The DU counsel said that the university will soon give a detailed deadline for conducting exams strictly as per UGC guidelines.
At that the court asked: “What will happen to students who are ready to take exams as of now?” After that the court added that the DU must be clear and candid with the students and give clear timelines.
–India Legal Bureau