UGC wants academic yr from Aug, NU academicians differ

NAGPUR: Even as University Grants Commission (UGC) has come out with a tentative timetable for all universities and other institutions for the new academic year (2020-21), academicians associated with

Nagpur University

differ over its proposals.


UGC has suggested to start the new academic year from August 1 to 31 for the second, third and fourth year courses. It recommended commencing first-year programmes from September 1. However, NU academicians said for Mumbai, Pune and other universities it was feasible to begin their classes from August 1 as they conduct examinations of only final year students.

In Nagpur University’s case, it holds over 9,500 examinations for all first, second, third and other exams and therefore, it would be extremely difficult for it to complete them before August, if started in July as per the apex body’s timetable.

“We conduct exams of nearly five lakh students every summer and it’s a big number. Moreover, with government recommending social distancing norms, we need to increase the number of centres from 200 to 600, which would make our task even difficult,” the academicians said.

Even present and former NU officials agree with academicians’ views stating that with reduced manpower, it would be impossible for them to conduct exam in a month and start classes by August.

Former Senate member

Ambadas Mohite

had already suggested to the chancellor and education minister to conduct university examinations on objective type questions on the lines of competitive tests so that evaluation and revaluation wouldn’t be needed. According to him, the universities would save precious time, manpower and funds on both these counts significantly.

Former NU employee Prashant Mohite came out with a formula of doing away with the examinations, if NU wanted to start its next academic year in time. He suggested to grant average marks on the basis of previous semesters. “All these students should be provided with an option of percentage improvement scheme, if they want to better their score. In this case, only serious students would appear for test while others could carry forward their marks. NU only needs to issue an ordinance in this regard which would have time frame for this academic year only. It would save NU’s time, money and efforts,” he told TOI.

Stay updated with the latest education news on Times of India. Explore the CBSE date sheet for Class 10 and 12 across Arts, Science, and Commerce streams.