University Grants Commission, UGC has directed all the varsities to start the classes for the new sessions from the first of November onward and as per the revised academic calendar approved by UGC on Monday. The first-year classes for undergraduate and postgraduate courses can begin in November. Also, the varsities have been asked to wrap up the admission schedule by November 30.

The alternative academic calendar released by UGC on April 29 suggested that classes of first-year students should begin on September 1 and final year exams should be conducted from July first to July 15. However, due to the pandemic, the calendar had to be revised and the high education regulator mandated the conduct of final year exams or terminal semester exams by September end.

But now, as per the revised guidelines, the academic session 2020-21 may begin from November first for first-year students. In case there is a delay in the declaration of results in the qualifying exam, the universities may plan and start the academic session by November 18. While speaking to the New Indian Express, the Vice-President of UGC said that there is no hard and fast rule on holding online or offline classes.

Meanwhile, UGC has also asked the universities across the nation to start the process of provisional asmission for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

The commission further added in the revised calendar that a full refund will be made on account of the cancellation of admissions/ migration of students up to November 30. Thereafter, on cancellation/ withdrawal of admissions up to December 31, 2020, the entire fee collected from a student be refunded in full after deduction of not more than Rs 1000 as processing fee.

Thus, the merit or entrance-based admissions for UG/PG students should be completed by October end and the remaining vacant seats should be filled up by November 30. “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”, tweeted, Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.

Meanwhile, UGC has also asked the universities across the nation to start the process of provisional asmission for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The admission process for UG/PG courses for the academic year 2020-21 has already been concluded on August 31, 2020. However, the Commission has directed to conduct provisional allotment till September 30, 2020.