SC verdict out on UGC case regarding Final year University exams 2020
SC verdict out on UGC case regarding Final year University exams 2020
The apex court bench clearly stated that “government will not be allowed to promote students without conducting final year University exams”. The bench consisted of Justices R Subhash Reddy, MR Shah and Justice Ashok Bhushan.
Earlier Supreme court has reserved its order on August 18th thereby asking all the parties involve to submit their responses in written form in court. When UGC cleared on its part that degree cannot be awarded without conducting the final year exams, students from different parts of India approached the top court to decide whether to conduct exams or not.
Several cases were combined under single hearing. The hearing included case of 11 students, case of Yuva Sena and 1 law student against University Grant Commission (UGC). There were two key arguments involved one for and other against cancellation of final year exams 2020.
In primary argument the petitioner argued for cancellation of final year exams considering the current COVID-19 situation, mentioning the Disaster Management Act which gives authority to state to cancel the exams. Furhter Advocate Gupta on behalf of petitioner asked the court to struck down July 6 order of UGC thereby mandating final year exams. He said that it is in violation of Article 14 and called it to be arbitrary and unreasonable.
On the contrary Advocate SG Mehta on behalf of University Grant Commission argued that final year university exams cannot be cancelled as they are basis for awarding degree. He added that cancelling exams won’t be legal and ethical at the same time.
Supreme court today upholds the UGC guidelines that are mandating exams for final students. However, the court has given discretion to states to approach the University Grant Commission (UGC) to seek the extension of the date by which final year examination must be conducted keeping in mind the rising COVID-19 cases.
By Eshika Singla
SC verdict out on UGC case regarding Final year University exams 2020
