The Supreme Court of India adjourned the hearing in the UGC (University Grants Commission) Case on the morning of Monday, August 10. Three judge bench lead by Justice Ashok Bhushan took the decision. Other members of the bench were Justices R. Subhash Reddy and MR Shah. Advocate Singhvi and Advocate Alok Alakh Srivastav represented the petitioners.

For the unversed, the apex court had previously asked Union Ministry of Home Affairs to clear its stand on the final year examinations. While Maharashtra and Delhi opposed the UGC’s directives and announced the cancellation of the final year examinations in their state universities,

SC had claimed, in its last hearing, that final year examinations are mandatory as they are required for a proper assessment for awarding the degree. The Supreme Court had then suggested that final year examinations can be conducted by the varsities by September 30. UGC said in its affidavit filed in the apex court, “All universities and institutions obligated to conduct terminal semester or final year exam by the end of September 2020.” After the hearing, petitioners have however challenged the guidelines, calling it unsafe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not to miss, the SC’s decision to adjourn the hearing in UGC Case comes after the apex court had asked the UGC to clarify if the Disaster Management Act supersedes UGC’s notification. SC had also asked for clarification of whether the DM act can override UGC notification.

Albeit, the pertaining question still remains – if the final year university examinations will be conducted or canceled or are deferred again? Well, thousands of students are waiting for the final verdict on the UGC’s revised Exam Guidelines for 2020. Nonetheless, SG Mehta, who is representing the UGC, has asked the students to keep their prep going till the final decision comes. With the next case hearing on August 14, 2020, all we can do is wait and watch!

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