Pune: University Grants Commission (UGC), has directed all the universities to begin the classes for the new periods from November 1, as per the revised academic calendar approved by UGC. The first-year classes for undergraduate and postgraduate courses can begin in November, the UGC said on Monday. The universities have been asked to complete the admission schedule by November 30. 

The alternative academic calendar declared by UGC on April 29 suggested that classes of first-year students should begin on September 1 and final year examinations should be conducted from July 1 to July 15. However, amid the COVID-19 crisis, the calendar had to be revised and the higher education regulator instructed the conduct of final year exams or terminal semester exams by September end.

The UGC’s revised guidelines reads, “If there is a delay in declaration of results of the qualifying examinations, the universities may plan and start the academic session by November 18. The teaching-learning process may continue in offline, online mode.”

All institutes have been counselled to teach six days a week to make up for the lost learning hours. Meanwhile, breaks and vacations will also be shortened.

“In order to avoid financial hardship being faced by the parents due to lockdown and related factors, full refund of fees be made on account of all cancellation of admissions or migration of students, up to 30.11.2020, for this very session as a special case,” the guidelines further read.