Unlock 3.0 – Delhi University to remain closed till August 31st

As the pandemic has brought the entire world to a standstill, virtual learning seems to have taken over classroom sessions. Being mindful of this new normal, Delhi University has decided to resume its academic activities digitally. However, it shall remain closed till August 31st, 2020. The University’s decision comes after the guidelines issued for Unlock 3.0 by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stating it clearly that all Colleges and Educational Institutions shall remain shut till August 31, 2020.

Classes Resume Digitally

The ongoing summer vacation for the Delhi University students is about to end on August 9, while the academic session for them shall commence virtually from August 10, 2020. This applies to all the students who have entered their third, fifth and seventh semesters in Undergraduate courses, and third semester in Postgraduate courses. 

Decision in tandem with Revised UGC Guidelines

Delhi University said in a notification, “The academic session 2020-2021 of the university will commence from 10-08-2020 with the start of online classes for the 3rd, 5th, and 7th semester of UG courses and 3rd semester of PG courses subject to the prevailing pandemic or any other exigency.” The decision to conduct the online classes was taken into consideration with the revised guidelines specified by the University Grants Commission (UGC). However, the University has not yet revealed the information regarding the commencement of the academic session of the new batches. Besides the academic work, the important facilities of the Department/University shall be operative.

Online Book Exams (OBEs) challenged in Delhi High Court

The situation created by the exponential rise in COVID-19 cases has forced the MHA to take a final call on the opening of educational institutions only after keenly assessing the situation and seeking suggestions from the stakeholders involved in it. The University Registrar also said that in cases of emergency or urgency or ‘exigency’, the staff members (Faculty, teacher, researcher, non-teaching) might be called to the institution, bearing in mind all the precautionary measures. 

In the midst of conducting online classes, the University’s decision to conduct the OBE (Online Book Exams) for the final-year students is being challenged in the Delhi High Court. The exams are due on August 11, 2020 and University has to respond to the High Court on the status of the Common Service Centre (CSC), mock tests and the availability of scribes for students who are visually impaired.