Out of the 755 universities across India, 366 are still planning to hold exams in August or September, according to the revised guidelines issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) that has asked the Universities to hold exams “mandatorily” by September. Despite facing opposition from students and teachers, the UGC is still in favour of conducting exams. It has allowed universities to choose their preferred mode, which comprises online, offline or blended for the final year exams.

Several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, have opposed the revised guidelines and have decided against holding the exams for final year students. Respective chief ministers of Delhi, West Bengal, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu had also written letters to the central government demanding rollback of these guidelines.

The UGC’s former chairperson, along with 27 other academicians had also written to the commission asking to cancel the exams. The letter had read, that those who argue against cancelling exams would devalue degrees must explain how holding a farcical ‘virtual’ exam that lacks the basic features of the real thing will enhance their value.

“Protects the integrity of the examination by refusing to abandon its two most basic features – impartiality, or equal treatment of all examinees; and close supervision to prevent cheating, read the letter,”  the letter added.

Human Resource Development Minister (HRD) Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had in a series of tweets emphasised the importance of exams. Pokhriyal wrote, “In any education model, assessment is one of the most important milestones. Performance in exams gives students self-confidence and satisfaction.”