No examination from July 10; Exams postponed till August: Delhi University tells Delhi HC

Delhi University today informed the Delhi High Court that it has decided to postpone its final year examination which was scheduled to start from July 10. .In a meeting which was conducted late yesterday evening, it was decided to postpone the examination till after August 15, Delhi University said. .The statement was made before a Single Judge Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh..The Court was hearing a batch of petitions filed by several final year students of Delhi University. The Petitions concern the conduction of online open-book examinations for the final year students..The Central Government informed the Court that it has issued an order giving time till September 30 to universities to compulsorily conduct their final year examinations. .Union Home Ministry permits conduct of examinations by Universities and Institutions.Univerisity Grants Commission stated that it would forward a "Standard Operating Procedure" (SOP) to all colleges today in respect of the conduction of examinations and added that the colleges would be given time till September 30. .Petitioners before the Court raised several issues arising out of the repeated postponement of final year examinations. .It was highlighted that the delay in conduction of examination would have an adverse impact on not only the employment prospects but also on admission to foreign universities. .Some Petitioners have suggested that final year examinations be conducted by way of an internal assessment or by considering the average marks of the previous years. .It was also contended that University's conduct was completely contrary to law as none of these decisions were taken by the academic council as mandated under the statutes of DU. .During the course of the hearing, the Court thus questioned Delhi Univeristy as to what motivated it to postpone the examination, especially when it had earlier claimed to be fully prepared to hold one. .The Court remarked the basis for postponement could not be the Central Government or UGC's orders as neither of them asked varsities to not conduct examination or postpone them. .Delhi Univeristy stated that no malafide intentions could be attributed to it and the decision as taken in view of the advisories and orders from Central Government and UGC. .After hearing the parties, the Court deemed it appropriate to send the petitions to the Division Bench which is hearing another petition concerning the conduction of Online Open Book Examination for PWD category students. .The Court noted that issue of postponement of examination was already before the Division Bench. .All petitions will be heard tomorrow. .Senior Advocate Sachin Dutta with Advocate MS Rupal Appeared for DU. .UGC was represented by Advocate Apurv Kurup. Centre was represented by Advocate Suneeta Ojha. .Petitioners were represented by Advocate HS Hora, Manik Dogra, Causa Legal law firm.