The Supreme Court on Monday instructed the University Grants Commission (UGC) time to respond to Delhi and Maharashtra governments' affidavits saying they have cancelled exams, citing disaster management guidelines amid the coronavirus outbreak. The next hearing is scheduled for 14 August.
The court was hearing pleas challenging a UGC notice, dated July 6, which directed Indian universities to conduct final exams by the end of September. The top court bench, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, also asked UGC to file a reply on whether the provisions of the Disaster Management Act would override UGC guidelines.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing UGC, said, "When UGC is the only body to confer degrees, how can states cancel exams and expect UGC to confer degree?" adding, "Students need to continue preparing for exams as degrees cannot be conferred without exams".
The apex court refused to pass an interim order in the plea filed by students from 13 states and a union territory which demanded cancellation of examination on July 31.
