University exams to be held by Sept 30 as per UGC decision: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has today rejected pleas seeking that online/ offline examinations be scrapped in the view of Covid-19 pandemic situation. The examinations will be held by September 30 as directed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), said a 3-judge bench headed by justice Ashok Bhushan in the verdict adding that states can approach the UGC if they wish to delay the exams beyond September 30 deadline. UGC had directed universities across the country to hold final year examinations by September 30, as degree cannot be conferred on graduating students without holding final year examinations. However states such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have cancelled final year University exams. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of UGC, argued that only the statutory body had power to cancel examinations and not the state governments.