Decision on Final year university examinations likely by August 18

New Delhi : Students will have to wait for some more days to know the Supreme Court verdict on final year examinations at the universities.

The Supreme Court hearing on the UGC Guidelines and Final Year Examination 2020 pleas has been adjourned till August 18. The finals decision will come only after Supreme Court gives its verdict.

The petitioners have urged the top court to cancel the final year examinations as it would not be safe to conduct examinations in current coronavirus pandemic situation. However, the UGC has maintained that a degree cannot be awarded without the examination scores.

Key Takeaways from August 14 hearing on the matter:

# Counsels for the petitioners presented their case to the Supreme Court today. Dr. AM Singhvi started his arguments and fought for the Right of Life. He pointed out safety of the students during the examinations and travel procedure required by the ones coming from different states.

# On the validity of the Disaster Management Act, Singhvi added that the NDMA is applicable to every district. He also stated that the pandemic is a global concern and presents ‘special scenarios’ that have prohibited the right to travel, etc. In extension, he hinted on the possibility of cancellation of the examinations as well.

# An argument was also made on the fact that the examinations were postponed when coronavirus cases in India were in thousands; and now the authorities are stressing on exams when the number of cases in India are in lakhs.

After the arguments, the Supreme Court has adjourned the matter. Hearing on it would now resume on August 18, 2020.