Final year exams by Sept. 30

Students oppose, parents ready to skip exams than expose kids to Covid

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the University Grants Commission's (UGC) position in its order that final year exams will be conducted by September 30 and that degrees cannot be conferred on the basis of internal assessments.

The Supreme Court also added that the states have the power under the Disaster Management Act to order postponement of exams in view of the

Covid-19 pandemic and they can file an application before the UGC expressing their inability to hold examinations before the deadline of September 30.

The Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) chairman, Prof. T. Papi Reddy, told Deccan Chronicle that the state will conduct final year degree exams as per the SC order by September

30.

However, an extension for PG and backlog exams will be sought until October, he said. “The PG and backlog exams for final year students depend a lot on the opening of college hostels, so we will seek postponement,” Dr Reddy added.

Students have expressed opposition to this decision. Parents also are of the view that they are ready to skip the exams than send their wards out during the pandemic and expose them to the risk of infection.

Venkat Balmoor, TS NSUI state president, said, “We are already on an indefinite hunger strike since Thursday (seeking postponement of exams).

THE TELANGANA State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) chairman, Prof. T. Papi Reddy, told Deccan Chronicle that the state will conduct final year degree exams as per the SC order by September 30.

HOWEVER, AN extension for PG and backlog exams will be sought until October, he said. “The PG and backlog exams for final year students depend a lot on the opening of college hostels, so we will seek postponement,” Dr Reddy added. We will also stage a protest against the state government's move to conduct exams and risk the lives of the students. Thousands of students are against the idea of taking exams. Even if some out of fear of losing a year come out to take the exams, what will happen to the rest.”

—DEEPAKDESHPANDE TPCC chief Uttam Kumar Reddy along with Congress leaders participate in a protest against the scheduling of JEE and NEET, at Gandhi Bhavan on Friday.