[UGC VS STUDENTS] SC Hearing On Petitions Seeking Cancellation Of Final Year Exams [Courtroom Exchange]

Datar: As of March 2020, 5 semesters had already been completed, and the internal assessment for 6th sem was almost over. 

Datar: We have 3-year degree & 5-year degree courses. I’m currently concerned with only non-professional courses. In 2003, the semester system was there.

Datar: Note 3 things - What is a programme, what is a semester and what is a course. 

Datar: I will explain why not holding the exams is not something fatal and why it won’t amount to dilution. We are now dealing with 2003 UGC Guidelines. 

Datar: I am only putting forth the best argument. If a central institute of international repute can do this, why can’t we ? 

Datar: IIT itself is going to issue degrees without conducting the final exams.

Justice Bhushan: We are not concerned with IIT. 

Justice Ashok Bhushan explains the scope arrogated to an authority under the Disaster Management Act.

 Justice BR Gavai raises the issue, “Won’t not conducting the exams lead to dilution of the standards only ?”

Datar refers to the question asked by Justice Reddy whether not conducting the exam would lead to dilution. 

Justice Bhushan says that the students cannot decide their welfare.

“Only the authorities can decide what is in their welfare. Students are not competent enough to decide.”

Datar: You have raised two questions. I will come to the constitutional aspect later. I will raise the “welfare of students” issue.