UGC Exams: Students can contact UGC through these platforms to share their concerns

The Ministry of Human Resource and Development has set up a dedicated grievance cell to address students’ concerns on UGC exams and other college schedules. Although UGC recently released a circular regarding examinations and other related information, students still seem to have several concerns and doubts owing to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation.

“I have requested all universities to establish a Cell for handling grievances of the students related to examinations and other academic activities arising due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” tweeted Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Union Minister of HRD. The following are the platforms through which students can express their concerns:

1. Students can call the dedicated helpline number that has been set up: 011-23236374.
2. Students can also email their concerns to ugc@gmail.com.
3. The Online Students Grievance Redressal Portal of UGC can be used by the students to lodge their complaints: https://bit.ly/UGC_Grievances. Students can will first need to register with the portal by providing their email addresses and password, and then post their complaint on the portal.
4. MHRD says that a task force has been set up to monitor concerns or grievances of students, teachers, and institutions, and ensure their redressal.

Announcement on UGC Exams

While not much is known on the date of UGC exams, recently the University Grant Commission issued a circular regarding academic calendar and examinations. The main highlights of the announcement regarding UGC exams were as follows:

1. Universities may adopt easier methods to conduct examinations in a shorter time.
2. Universities may also look at a reduction in examination time from 3 to 2 hours by taking necessary measures.
3. The students who have failed will be allowed to move on to the next semester. However, they will be required to pass the examination whenever it is held.
4. Terminal semester, year examinations for PG and UG courses, or programs may be conducted by universities in July. However, the dates of the examination are subject to the Coronavirus situation in the country.
5. For intermediate semester or year students, the universities may conduct examinations, after making a comprehensive assessment of their level of preparedness. Otherwise grading will be done based on the internal evaluation and previous year’s or semester’s performance.