COVID-19 Lockdown: UGC Academic Calendar 2020-21 Released, New Session To Begin In September

COVID-19 Lockdown: UGC Academic Calendar 2020-21 Released, New Session To Begin In September:

In view of the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID 19) and subsequent lockdown, the UGC has issued guidelines on examinations and academic calendar for the universities. The University Grant Commission (UGC) has released the new academic calendar for 2020-21. The new UGC academic calendar 2020-21 suggests that the new session for fresh batch students will begin in September. The Classes for 2nd and 3rd year students can start from August 1, 2020.

Based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee, the following Guidelines have been framed for the Examinations and the Academic Calendar in the Universities. The guidelines are advisory in nature and each university may chart out its own plan of action taking into consideration the issues pertaining to COVID – 19 Pandemic.

Examinations:

(a) The universities may adopt alternative and simplified modes and methods of examinations to complete the process in shorter period of time in compliance with CBCS requirements as prescribed by UGC from time to time. These may include MCQ/ OMR based examinations, Open Book Examination, Open Choices, assignment/ presentation-based assessments etc. 

(b) The universities may adopt efficient and innovative modes of examinations by reducing the time from 3 hours to 2 hours assigned to each examination.

(c) The universities may conduct Terminal / Intermediate Semester / Year examinations in offline / online mode, as per their Ordinances/ Rules and Regulations, Scheme of Examinations, observing the guidelines of “social distancing” and keeping in view the support system available with them and ensuring fair opportunity to all students.

(d) The universities may conduct the practical examinations and Viva-Voce Examinations through Skype or other meeting apps, and in case of intermediate semesters, the practical examinations may be conducted during the ensuing semesters.

(e) The universities may conduct the Ph.D. and M. Phil. Viva -Voce Examinations through Video Conferencing using Google, Skype, Microsoft Technologies or any other reliable and mutually convenient technology, subject to the approval of the concerned statutory authority of the university.

UGC Academic Calendar 2020-21:

(a) Admissions to the UG and PG programmes for the session 2020-21 may be completed by 31.08.2020. If necessity arises, provisional admissions may also be made and relevant documents of qualifying examination may be accepted up to 30.09.2020.

(b) The Academic Session 2020-21 may commence from 01.8.2020 for old students and from 01.09.2020 for fresh students. 

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- If situation so demands, the universities can have Summer Vacations for 30 days from 01-06-2020 to 30-06-2020. In that case the teaching-learning through various modes can be held up to 15-05-2020 and subsequently Finalization of Dissertation etc. may be completed from 16-05-2020 to 31-05-2020.

The following calendar is suggested for the academic session 2020-2021:

(i) Admission Process: 01.08.2020 to 31.08.2020

(ii) Commencement of Classes

• Students of 2nd/ 3 rd year: 01.08.2020
• Fresh batch (First Semester/Year): 01.09.2020

(iii) Conduct of Examinations: 01.01.2021 to 25.01.2021

(iv) Commencement of Classes for Even Semester: 27.01.2021

(v) Dispersal of Classes: 25.05.2021

(vi) Conduct of Examinations: 26.05.2021 to 25.06.2021

(vii) Summer Vacations: 01.07.2021 to 30.07.2021

(viii) Commencement of Next Academic Session: 02.08.2021

Important Links:

• Letter regarding UGC Guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar: Click Here
• UGC Guidelines on Examinations and Academic Calendar: Click Here