Open Book Exams: Delhi HC Directs DU To Provide Reading Material To Visually Impaired Students; Provide Scribes At CSC

The order has come in a plea filed Prateek Sharma, a physically disabled student, highlighting the difficulties that shall be faced by PwD students in taking the online exam. "There is a complete lack of adequate infrastructure to address the needs of the students belonging to the category of PwD," Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who was appearing for the petitioner had submitted on the last hearing.

The Court was to examine DU's preparedness to conduct online exam today. While taking on record the affidavit filed by the University, Justice Kohli noted that the figures depicted by the second mock test were worse than what transpired during the first mock test.

During the hearing, the bench was informed by Advocate Sachin Datta, representing DU, that students will be permitted to download the question paper and upload their answer sheets as attachment to an email and submit it, in addition to the option of uploading their answer sheets on the examination portal.

After taking on record the submissions made by all the stakeholders, i.e. Petitioner Prateek Sharma, Delhi University and the National Federation of the Blind, the Court has passed the following order:

• No student shall be deprived of scribe at CSC, if he has opted for one and intimated to DU;
• If students are unable to submit any or all of their answer sheets, they will be allowed to sit for the physical exam;
• If students successfully submit their answer sheets, they will not be permitted to re-appear in physical exam. However, they may take supplementary exams to improve their result;
• If the students sit in OBE and wish to take admission to PG courses at DU, they shall be granted provisional admission;
• DU will inform the court regarding feasibility in issuance of Digital Certificates to students after conducting OBE;
• University will also inform the Court on the next date of hearing that by when they will declare results for OBE.

Further the Court recorded the graceful offer made by Senior Advocate SK Rungta, appearing for the National Federation of the Blind, that he shall he will buy assistive devices for the visually impaired students, and will take it back after the examination.

The matter is now posted for hearing on August 17.

Last hearing : [DU Open Book Exam] Only 8% Students Could Successfully Complete Online Mock Tests: Delhi HC Expresses Dissatisfaction