Plea filed against UGC decision to conduct university exams final verdict postponed until August 14

Final year university exams to be conducted as per the orders released by the University Grants Commission. However, several states, including Delhi and Maharashtra, have problems with the exams amid the Covid-19 crisis. Therefore, the Supreme Court heard all sides of the story on Monday, August 08, 2020, postponed the final verdict about exams until August 14, 2020.

The UGC in the Supreme Court questioned the decisions of Delhi and Maharashtra governments to cancel final year exams of state universities amid the Covid-19 pandemic, saying they were against the rules. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan that states cannot change the rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC) as only it is



empowered to prescribe rules for conferring degree.

Mehta argued that not conducting exams will not be in the interest of students and degrees may not be recognized if the states would act unilaterally. The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas that have challenged the July 6 directive to all the universities and colleges to conduct final year examinations by September 30 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the hearing conducted through video-conferencing, Mehta informed the bench about the decisions of Delhi and Maharashtra to cancel final year exams of state universities.

Tushar Mehta said that the UGC would file its response on the affidavits filed by Maharashtra and Delhi in the matter.