DU Exams: Delhi HC Issues Notice To Common Service Centres To Assess Preparedness For Conducting Online Exams

The Single Bench of Justice Prathiba M Singh has directed the CEO of the said CSC Academy to submit a report indicating the status of the common service centres across the country.

The order has come in a writ petition challenging the decision of the Delhi University to conduct online Open Book Exams.

Today, the Delhi University informed the court that it has engaged CSC Academy to assist students living in rural areas, or those who do not have sufficient IT facilities, in taking online exams.

CSC Academy has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and it is tasked with providing IT infrastructure and access to digital facilities to students who otherwise do not have access to such facilities.

The Petitioner today informed the court that students faced certain problems while attempting the mock tests as the Delhi University did not implement the previous directions of this court.

As per the court's previous directions, the Delhi University was supposed to email the question paper to all the students and provide them with 30 minutes window for technical glitches.

Senior Advocate Saurav Datta, who appeared for the Delhi University, informed the court that the first mock test was conducted just to familiarise the students with the 'uploading-downloading' procedures.

Mr Datta further informed that the implementation of the directions pertaining to the mailing of the question paper and the 30 minutes window will be provided during the second phase of mock tests.

In light of these submissions, the court asked the Delhi University to clarify its position on the implementation of the court's previous orders on providing adequate facilities during the mock tests on the next date of hearing.

The court will next take up this matter on July 27.