UGC Guidelines-Academic Session 2020-21 For College And University To Start From November 1

As per the latest update, guidelines shared by UGC are expected to start colleges and universities from November 1, 2020. Admissions for the same will also be completed by October 31^st, 2020.

Although there are many colleges and universities that have already started their online classes a month ago. Few colleges that have already completed the orientation process for their students and are all set to start regular classes for their new batch are now confused about the dates and are waiting for clarity.

Now, the UGC has finally commenced the updated academic calendar mentioning that sessions will start from November 1, 2020.

Along with issuing guidelines on the academic calendar for undergraduate and postgraduate students of the universities and colleges, the University Grants Commission (UGC) also have come up with a one time-measure. The measure states that parents and students will get a full refund of fees for any cancellation of admissions or migration of students, up to November 30, 2020, keeping the Covid-19 situation under consideration.

Ramesh Pokhriyal, Union minister for education said- “In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commission has accepted the report of the committee and approved the UGC Guidelines on Academic Calendar for the First Year of Under-Graduate and Post-Graduate Students of the Universities for the Session 2020-21. To avoid financial hardship being faced by the parents due to lockdown and related factors, a full refund of fees will be made on account of all cancellation of admissions/ migration of students, up to 30.11.2020, for this very session as a special case.” This initiative will definitely be in favor of the parents as this situation has been challenging for all the parents out there to go through and yet save money for their child's education.

However, there is no such verdict on the teaching process or how the classes will be conducted on 1^st November. Though it’s expected that the teaching-learning process may continue in offline/ online/ or both. UGC even mentioned that if there is a delay in declaration of the qualifying result of the examinations, the universities may plan and start the academic session by November 18, 2020.

Apart from this, the UGC has also suggested following a 6-day week pattern to make up with the delay that occurred at the starting of the course for the academic session 2020-21 and 2021-2022. This 6-day week plan will help students to overcome the delay that happened due to the pandemic.

Hopefully, sessions will start from November 1^st, and universities and colleges will follow the guidelines as given.

Let’s see how the guidelines will be implemented to colleges and universities, as it will be quite difficult for universities to cope with those universities that have already started their online classes a month back.

But this news is atleast relieving for students as they were in all dilemmas about their classes and didn’t have the clarity rather that how everything will be managed.

Nevertheless, we have to accept and adapt to the new normal. So, to know what the next update on these given guidelines stays tuned with us.