New Delhi, 17 July 2021: The University Grant Commission (UGC), the regulator for higher education, has today released the examination guidelines and academic calendar for the new Academic Year of 2021-22 adhering to the Covid-19 protocols. As per the notice, the first-year classes will begin on 01 October 2021.
The commission has directed all the universities and colleges to complete the admission process for undergraduate and postgraduate courses by 30 September 2021. The classes for the first semester will begin on or before October 1. The last date to fill the vacant seats is 31 October 2021.
Key Points of the UGC Guidelines:
Examinations: The Terminal Semester/ Final Year Examinations (2020-2021) be compulsorily conducted in offline (pen & paper)/ online/ blended (online + offline) mode by no later than31 August 2021 following the prescribed protocols/ guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
College Reopens: The academic session 2021-2022 shall commence latest by 01 October 1, 2021 for first semester/year students.
Admission for UG and PG Programmes: Completion of Admission Process for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programmes in online/offline/blended mode: 30 September 2021
In view of the financial hardships being faced by parents due to lockdowns and related factors, a full refund of fees should be made on account of all cancellations of admissions/ migrations of students up to October 31, 2021 for the academic session 2021-2022 as a special case. It is made clear that the entire fee, including all charges, should be refunded (i.e. there should be zero cancellation charges) on account of cancellations/ migrations up to October 31, 2021. Thereafter, on cancellation/ withdrawal of admissions up to December 31, 2021, the entire fee collected from a student should be refunded in full after deducting not more than Rs.1000/- as processing fee.
The guidelines issued by the UGC on April 29, 2020 and July 6, 2020 highlighting the modes of teaching, conduct of examinations, importance of physical & social distancing etc. should be read along with the present guidelines and shall remain mandatory, but the present guidelines shall prevail in the event of any conflict.
