Coronavirus Live Updates: Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' tests positive for COVID-19

All online and semi-online teaching and learning activities shall remain suspended during the summer vacation from April 20 to June 9, the Delhi government directed private schools on Wednesday. The Directorate of Education (DoE) had on Monday advanced summer vacations in view of the deteriorating COVID-19 situation.

Education minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' informed that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is under treatment.

This is to inform you all that I have tested COVID positive today. I am taking medication & treatment as per the advice of my doctors.
Request all those who have come in my contact recently to be observant, and get themselves tested.

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) April 21, 2021

The School and Mass Education Department, Odisha, has cancelled the Odisha BSE matriculation exam 2021.

#Odisha govt cancels annual BSE Matric Examinations 2021.

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) April 21, 2021

The Indian Army indefinitely postponed the Common Entrance Exam (CEE) for Northeast, scheduled on April 25, on account of the rising number of COVID-19 cases, officials said. Defence Public Relations Officer (Guwahati) Lt Col P Khongsai said the CEE was scheduled to take place in Shillong (Meghalaya), Jorhat and Narangi (Assam), and Rangapahar (Nagaland).

The Government of Jharkhand, in the new COVID-19 guidelines, have informed that schools, colleges and other educational institutions will remain closed. The guidelines were released for 'Health Safety Week'. Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren urged people to follow instructions strictly.

'स्वास्थ्य सुरक्षा सप्ताह' हेतु दिशा-निर्देश।

सभी झारखण्डवासियों से अपील है कृपया सरकारी निर्देशों का कड़ाई से पालन करें। सभी के सहयोग से इस विकट संक्रमण को हम मिलकर फिर हरायेंगे।

सतर्क रहें, सुरक्षित रहें। https://t.co/WTSCBS9anm pic.twitter.com/BOUW7mUA1M

— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) April 20, 2021

The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) is holding a special COVID-19 quiz through social media.

Covid Special Quiz#SpreadAwarenessForCovid-19#BeSafe #WearMask #RemainAlert #BSEB pic.twitter.com/2RfR3Ee2Si

— Bihar School Examination Board (@officialbseb) April 21, 2021

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said that the number of beds should be increased at Swaroop Rani Medical College and United Medical College at Prayagraj. The chief minister also said that resources of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Rama Medical College-Hospital & Research Centre, Naraina Medical College & Research Center in Kanpur should also be utilised.

प्रयागराज के स्वरूप रानी मेडिकल कॉलेज और यूनाइटेड मेडिकल कॉलेज में 800 से अधिक बेड उपलब्ध हैं, इसे और बढ़ाया जाना चाहिए।

वाराणसी में RT-PCR का पॉजिटिविटी रेट अधिक है, यहां और अधिक टेस्ट किए जाने की जरूरत है: #UPCM श्री @myogiadityanath जी

— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) April 20, 2021

Prime minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation tonight about the COVID-19 pandemic, said that youths can form groups to enforce COVID-protocols locally. 

PM Shri @narendramodi ji addresses the nation on the COVID-19 situation. https://t.co/JBTKytakvh

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) April 20, 2021

Sikkim has closed all schools and colleges till April 30, reports PTI

Engineering students of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) were caught cheating in an online exam, Pune Mirror reported on Tuesday. The proctored exam was being conducted through software that allows students to answer multiple-choice questions. The software, however, detected that students were taking screenshots of the question paper and sharing them with others on a messaging app. The authorities have decided to let these students write the remaining exams but a decision on cheating has been withheld for the time being, the report futher said. 

Keeping in mind the safety of students, National Testing Agency has postponed the December cycle of the UGC NET exam 2021. The exam was scheduled to be conducted between May 2 and 17.  The new schedule will be notified to the candidates 15 days prior to the exam. 

?Announcement
Keeping in mind the safety & well-being of candidates and exam functionaries during #covid19outbreak, I have advised @DG_NTA to postpone the UGC-NET Dec 2020 cycle (May 2021) exams.#Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/5dLB9uWgkO

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) April 20, 2021

After discussions with the postgraduate students' union (PGSU), Gauhati Univerity has postponed the first semester PG exams to April 30. The theory exam was scheduled to be conducted on April 19. A new schedule is yet to be released. The university had earlier decided to conduct the exams as per the schedule and offered to conduct a second phase of examination for all those students who cannot appear for the exam. 

The Rajasthan Technological University, Kota has postponed the upcoming examination of first and third-semester undergraduate and first-semester postgraduate level examinations. The exams were scheduled to be conducted in May. A decision on conducting the exam will be taken after the assessment of the situation on the ground. The classes for rest of the students will continue in online mode. 

In light of the rising number of cases, the Jesus and Mary College has requested all students and others from visiting the campus in person. All necessary matter, as per the notice, will be dealt with via email or phone call.  

On Monday, DU's dean of colleges wrote to the student community to "stay strong" amid the second wave of coronavirus. The letter further said that the students need not worry about the academic year, examinations and other related activities during the difficult time.  

The Madhya Pradesh School Education Department announced that the selection test for National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS) to be held on 2 May 2021 has been postponed till further orders. The department said that new dates for the test will be announced later.

राष्ट्रीय मीन्स-कम-मेरिट छात्रवृत्ति (NMMSS) हेतु 2 मई 2021 को आयोजित होने वाली चयन परीक्षा" को, वर्तमान परिस्थितियों के दृष्टिगत आगामी आदेश तक स्थगित कर दिया गया है।
परीक्षा की नवीन तिथियां पृथक से घोषित की जाएंगी pic.twitter.com/TBvS4Anrzf

— School Education Department, MP (@schooledump) April 20, 2021=

CISCE, in the circular issued today, said that it is developing a fair and unbiased criterion to evaluate students as the ICSE boards 2021 are cancelled. 

CISCE, said: "The CISCE is committed to developing a fair and unbiased criterion as stated earlier. The criterion on which basis the results will be declared for the ICSE (Class 10) students and the date of result declaration will be announced by the CISCE later."

The Nagaland Government on Monday ordered the closure of all the schools in the state, including the residential ones, for students of Classes 1 to 8 with immediate effect. However, physical teaching sessions for Classes 9 to 12 will continue.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration on Monday announced shutting its central library and imposed several restrictions on the campus during the week-long lockdown in Delhi to arrest a surge in COVID-19 cases.

After a spike in COVID-19 cases on campus, IIT Roorkee has advised its students and staff members residing in non-containment hostels to return home. Students and project staff in non-containment hostels have been asked to leave by the evening of April 21. As many states now require an RT-PCR test result, the institute is also conducting tests to ensure the safe entry of students into their hometown.

The Delhi directorate of education's terminating the services of guest teachers form April 20 and letting only some return for COVID-19 work hasn't gone down well. This move essentially denies the teachers salary during lockdown and the summer vacations. According to some reports, over 20,000 teachers are affected. 

महोदय,गेस्ट टीचर्स को लाक डाउन की सैलरी दी जाए और बच्चों के भविष्य को ध्यान में रखते हुए,आनलाईन क्लास शुरु कर दी जाएं,GT को इस बुरी स्थिति में हटाकर भूखा मारना आप के शिक्षा तंत्र पर बहुत गहरा धब्बा है@ArvindKejriwal @msisodia @AIGTA2011 @socialjurist @LtGovDelhi @guest_teachers

— Akhtar Azmi (@AkhtarAzmi8783) April 19, 2021

Delhi's directorate of education (DoE) has ordered that the services of guest teachers in its schools be discontinued from today, April 20. However, it has allowed school principals to bring some of them back to work on COVID-19 related issues and they will be paid accordingly. 

Delhi Government has discontinued the services of guest teachers. 

That the major recruitment exam, SSC CHSL 2021, was postponed was announced on Twitter and on the official website, ssc.nic.in. 

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh announced night curfew in Punjab and a host of other restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19. Punjab has already announced that school and colleges will be shut until April 30. In his post on Twitter, Singh said that coaching classes will be shut as well.

In view of the sudden spike in #Covid19 cases, stricter measures are a must. During a review meeting today with experts, have decided to impose night curfew throughout the State from 8 PM to 5 AM. Coaching institutes, Gyms, bars & cinemas to remain shut till 30th April. (1/3)

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) April 19, 2021

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma has announced that all schools in Shillong area will be closed till May 4. Sangama, however, said that MBOSE exams will continue as per schedule.

All schools to close from tomorrow for the next 14 days till 4th May, 2021 in the Shillong area. Ongoing MBOSE examinations will continue unaffected.

Govt. & Pvt. offices will also function with 50% capacity. The situation in other districts is being closely monitored. pic.twitter.com/cWIsKDUUOA

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) April 19, 2021

In the View of the surging covid-19 cases, Jammu and Kashmir students association has established a helpline and online platform to monitor and address the issues of Kashmiri students studying in different parts of Country. In its statement Association said that, JKSA has set up a proper bridge to give proper heed to their problems due to second wave of deadly Coronavirus. 

Amid rising COVID-19 cases, 13 states have ordered the closure of colleges and universities. These states are Haryana, Odisha, Tripura, Bihar,  Gujarat, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

Read more: COVID-19: List of states that have shut colleges, universities

Today Delhi government has announced to impose a lockdown in Delhi, from 10 pm tonight to 6 am next Monday (26th April). However, students will be allowed to appear in examination on production of valid I card. As per the order issued by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) examination staff will also be allowed to travel on production of valid I card.

As the country witnesses a second wave of COVID-19, 21 states have shut schools due to the pandemic so far. The West Bengal School Education Department(WBSED) decided to close schools from tomorrow as it becomes the latest state to extend school closures.

The United Kingdom Medical Research Council will be organizing a virtual conference to discuss latest research on protective immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 on April 28-29. There will also be discussion on how does human immune system protects from infection with SARS-CoV-2? 

Delhi University's South Campus has started a two-day vaccination camp. 

Director, South Campus, Prof. Suman Kundu launched a two-day (19-20 April 2021) vaccination camp at the WUS Health Centre, @UnivofDelhi, South Campus.#StaySafeStayHealthy pic.twitter.com/klICO8acVM

— University of Delhi (@UnivofDelhi) April 19, 2021

All educational institutions have been closed in Punjab till April 30, 2021. Ludhiana District Magistrate has also asked all IELTS  and other coaching centers to be closed till April 30. However, the state government has allowed educational institutions to run online classes during this period.  

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi researchers have developed a virus-filtering, self-cleaning and antibacterial material that can be used to make face masks and other PPE equipment. The researchers have developed prototypes of a 4-layered face mask using the MoS2 modified fabric. They report that these masks, in addition to killing microbes and being light-cleanable, can also filter >96% of particles that are in the size range of the COVID Virus (120 nanometres), without compromising on the breathability of the fabric, and could thus be a powerful tool to prevent the spread of coronavirus and other microbial infections. 

Bihar Board Class 10 and 12 compartmental exams 2021, and DElEd exam postponed due to rise in COVID-19 cases. Bihar has also shut schools and colleges till May 15. 

Details Here | Bihar Board Class 10 and 12 compartmental exams 2021 postponed till further notice

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has constituted a "COVID-19 Response Team" in reaction to the sharp spike in the number of coronavirus infections in April. JNU currently has 74 active cases on campus and has had over 330 since March 2020, it said in a notice issued on April 18. 

JNU has constituted a COVId-19 Response Team to deal with the sharp spike in cases. 

Bihar Board (BSEB) has postponed the DElEd, Intermediate compartmental-cum-special exam 2021 and matriculation compartmental-cum-special exam 2021 due to the increase in COVID-19 cases. It has also shut all schools and colleges, originally scheduled to reopen on April 18, till May 15. 

#BSEB द्वारा #कोरोना महामारी की वर्तमान स्थिति को देखते हुए अप्रैल-मई 2021 में आयोजित की जाने वाली तीन परीक्षाओं
1️⃣डीएलएड (विशेष) परीक्षा, 2020
2️⃣इंटरमीडिएट कम्पार्टमेंटल-सह-विशेष परीक्षा,2021,
3️⃣माध्यमिक कम्पार्टमेंटल -सह-विशेष परीक्षा 2021,
को अंगले आदेश तक स्थगित किया गया है। pic.twitter.com/z6khaVcqJX

— Bihar Education Department (@BiharEducation_) April 18, 2021

The Bihar Board (BSEB) Class 10 and BSEB (Inter) Class 12 exams are already over and their results have also been declared. 

Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association has requested Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Union health minister, Harsh Vardhan to provide separate accommodation for COVID-19 duty workers.  "Since after duty,  majority of doctors return to their homes and hostel ...they may become a source of infection," the FORDA letter said. The doctors have also asked the authorities to recruit more health workers amid the upsurge in COVID-19 cases.

Would like to request respected @SatyendarJain @ArvindKejriwal @drharshvardhan to provide separate accommodation to our COVID WARRIORS like last year to fight this pandemic with high morale. Kindly consider this on priority basis.
Regards@dr_arunkgupta @drpankajsolanki @NMSF3 pic.twitter.com/Uzq3R59F7f

— FORDA INDIA (@FordaIndia) April 18, 2021

Delhi University's Gwyer Hall students demand the authorities to provide safety measure like hand sanitisers on the entrance gate,  space for mess workers and other staff in hostel premises and issue proper guidelines for hostels. 

I'm requesting again to @UnivofDelhi to please intervene in the situation of hostels of university. In Gwyer Hall 4 students and 1 employee reported +ve. Some students are infected with viral fever. Arrange all the safety measure and issue a proper guideline for hostels. https://t.co/I2BYW0jrru

— Sandeep Sharma (@Sandeep_GKP007) April 19, 2021

As the rising number of COVID-19 cases continue to overwhelm resources, a canteen owner in a resident doctor's hostel dies due to coronavirus. People commemorate their persistent efforts to serve during tough times. 

The guy who used to run the canteen at the resident doctors' hostel at our hospital died of covid last week.

Feeding hungry residents returning from on-call duty at 4 am in the morning, these people make the healthcare system run and seldom get the credit for it.

RIP, Bhaboda.

— Debayan Sinharoy (@natselrox) April 18, 2021

Apart from Shakarpur, teachers of Delhi Government school in Rohini have been allowed to work from home from Monday onwards. Teachers are required to continue work as usual like uploading exam marks and any other exam and school-related work. Further, the teachers, have to follow the usual timetable.

All schools including residential hostels and schools in Leh district have been closed all classes up to and including class 12 with immediate effect till April 30.  The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday ordered the closure of all educational institutions, including colleges and universities, till May 15.

Tamil Nadu Government on Sunday announced that Class 12 Board examinations for the state board have been postponed. However, practical exams, which got underway on Friday, will continue. Originally, the government had planned to hold the Higher Secondary Second Year exams from May 3 to May 21.

Delhi's Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Shakarpur number 2, has been closed till April 21 to be sanitised thoroughly. The decision was taken after several cases of coronavirus were reported among the staff of the school that is run in two shifts. All the staff members will, however, follow the timetable for teachers at home and upload marks related to the CBSE exam 2021 from their home. The school had been open for teachers. 

In view of the rising number of cases in the state, Rajasthan has imposed a 15 day 'janushaasan pakhwada' or self-discipline fortnight' restrictions starting from today till May 3. Strict curbs will be imposed on movements across the state from 5 am today till 5 am on May 3. All educational institutions will be closed and teachers have been asked to continue working from home. Teachers have also been directed to prepare exam results and stay in touch with the student and continue assessment through the Smile and Smile 2.0 online programme. 

On Saturday, Assam's Tezpur University asked all the undergraduate and postgraduate students to leave the campus. The students will have to vacate their rooms by April 23 with bags and baggage. The rule has been relaxed for the final year students who can stay on the campus till April 29 to complete their research work and vacate rooms by April 30. The PhD students will be notified about vacating their rooms soon, an official notice said. 

Lower primary schools in the Assam districts that have more than a hundred active COVID-19 cases will be shut. The deputy commissioner of a district can order the closure of the lower primary schools and pre-primary schools if the active cases cross the 100-mark, they said.  The order to implement the decision was issued on Saturday and it will remain in force up to May 8 or until further directions. 

The Jharkhand Academic Council announced the postponement of Class 10 and 12 examinations, ANI reported. A decision on the  Jharkhand Board 10th exam date and Jharkhand Board 12th exam date will be taken after a review meeting on June 1, the JAC said in a statement. 

Due to the surge in COVID19 cases, Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) postpones examinations of Class 10th and 12th. A meeting will be held on June 1 to review the situation, & further decision will be taken according to the situation: JAC

— ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2021

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Saturday, ordered the closure of the sports stadium with immediate effect and yoga activities in the offline mode have also been suspended. However, such activities can be run in online mode.  All dining facility at canteens and eateries on the campus was also closed with immediate effect.

A total of 1.48 lakh students had registered to write the Uttarakhand Board Class 10 exam 2021, Hindustan reported.  Since the exam has been cancelled the marks to these students will be given as per the criteria of the UK Board. Along with Class 10, the total number of intermediate students is 1,22,184, the report added.

The decision on JEE Main (now up on JEE Main official site) comes after the Centre postponed the CBSE board exam 2021. The Class 12 CBSE exam was set to begin in early May but now stands postponed. The Class 10 CBSE exam has been cancelled altogether and students will be marked based on an "objective criterion" the board will develop. 

Announcing the JEE Main 2021 April session postponed, the NTA suggested that candidates use the time to prepare using the exam body's own NTA Test Abhyas App. NTA launched the Test Abhyas app for JEE Main and NEET-UG aspirants in 2020. 

After the CBSE and NEET PG 2021 were postponed, students had been campaigning online for the postponement of JEE Main 2021 April session. They were gathering their posts by tagging them with #postponejee2021.  It has now been postponed, announced Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' on Twitter. 

Jharkhand has postponed JAC board exams for Classes 10, 12, reports Hindustan. 

The Telangana Government has announced that 25 percent weightage given to intermediate exams will not be considered for the Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture and Medical  Common Entrance Test-2021 (TS EAMCET 2021) this year. 

The Rastrakavi Ramdhari Singh Dinkar College of Engineering in Begusarai, Bihar, is turned into a COVID-care centre and the necessary arrangement for it has been reviewed, the district administration said.

बेगूसराय: जिला पदाधिकारी श्री अरविंद कुमार वर्मा एवं पुलिस अधीक्षक श्री अवकाश कुमार ने संयुक्त रूप से लोहियानगर एवं सिघौल के विभिन्न कन्टेनमेन्ट जोन तथा रामधारी सिंह दिनकर अभियंत्रण महाविद्यालय स्थित कोविड केयर सेंटर का निरीक्षण कर वहां उपलब्ध आवश्यक व्यवस्थाओं का जायजा लिया। pic.twitter.com/seOGUhKJTz

— IPRD Bihar (@IPRD_Bihar) April 17, 2021

The district administration has allowed the Government Gandhi Memorial Science College Jammu to reopen for administrative work. The college was declared a micro-containment zone on April 8.

Restrictions eased in GGM Science College Jammu subject to #COVID19 SOP @diprjk pic.twitter.com/P4xdN4OGrr

— Deputy Commissioner Jammu (@dcjammuofficial) April 17, 2021

Jai Narayan Vyas University in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, has shut hostels and postponed examinations with immediate effect as many students test positive for COVID-19, according to Times of India.

The pandemic has hit the ongoing placements season at the premiere Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), with several of these institutes bracing for poor recruitment statistics this year, the Hindustan Times reported. The report states that the overall statistics of recruitment may be poorer this year.

The All India Students Association (AISA) has demanded that the JNU administration provide better healthcare facilities on campus instead of asking students to leave hostels. 

"One entire year has passed since the pandemic hit our country, but alongwith the BJP govt, the JNU administration also has failed to ensure basic necessities to deal with the health emergency.," said AISA, in a statement.

AISA demanded that the JNU administration set up quarantine centres, treatment mechanisms for COVID-19 patients, ensure proper diet to the students and "take responsibility" for the online education of students.

ICYMI: We compiled a list of 25 resources for school children during the #lockdown last year. From MIT's gamified coding programmes to professional drawing tutorials, here are 25 things for school children to do while they're stuck at home.

A Mastodon fossil at The Smithsonian (Source: Virtual Tour)

The Allahabad University has asked students to vacate hostels for converting them into COVID-19 wards, according to a report by the Hindustan.  The university also said that all classes will be held in online mode due to the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases.

The University of Allahabad said that students will be given another chance to appear for online examinations in July 2021 if they were unable to submit their answer sheets through online mode.

Enivornmental acitivist Licypriya Kangujam said that students should fight for justice to ensure that there is no board exams during COVID-19.

Every student should fight for justice.

No Exam in this life or death time. Cancel all boards exams. Only internal assessment.

#CancelAllBoardExams#DontPostponeBoards#InternalAssessmentForAll

— Licypriya Kangujam (@LicypriyaK) April 17, 2021

More than four residents at Delhi Univeristy's Gwyer Hall hostel have tested postive for COVID-19, according to Sandeep Sharma, former president of Gwyer Hall Students' Union.  

@UnivofDelhi More than 4 residents of Gwyer Hall tested +ve. Please take necessary action and ensure the safety. Already informed to hall authority on this matter. @jharajesh @OfficeOfPC_ @DU_Teacher @abhiter @Iftikharfariha @bstvlive

— Sandeep Sharma (@Sandeep_GKP007) April 17, 2021

These are the states that have closed universities and colleges, some till late April and others until further orders:

• Haryana
• Odisha    
• Tripura    
• Bihar
• Gujarat    
• West Bengal
• Tamil Nadu
• Jharkhand
• Telangana
• Chhattisgarh
• Himachal Pradesh
• Nagaland

(Rajasthan, so far, has closed for a day)

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore, held its 46th convocation on April 16, in the virtual mode due to the rising coronavirus cases in the country. 

The Jammu and Kashmir Board of Secondary Education has postponed the Class 11 exams due to COVId-19. However, the announcement is not on the JKBOSE official website yet. 

Maharashtra had postponed the Maharashtra Board SSC and HSC exams for Classes 10 and 12 even before the CBSE did but now students, educator and activists in the states are demanding cancellation of the exams. They are demanding #InternalAssessmentForAll 

Major Boards and States have cancelled their board exams to overcome mental stress of students and Covid Situations
We request Maharashtra Government to take decisions asap for the same#CancleAllBoardExams #InternalAssessmentForAll@CMOMaharashtra @VarshaEGaikwad @anubha1812

— Prof. Dineshkumar Gupta (@dinesh_sir) April 17, 2021

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Karnataka has announced that the first-year BE, BTech and BArch exams (for engineering and architecture students) will be conducted as per schedule, that is, from April 19.  Students on Twitter are demanding postponement with posts tagged with  #postponevtuexams and #savevtustudents . 

COVID-19: VTU, Karnataka, to hold BTech, BArch exams as scheduled from April 19.

The Central University of Himachal Pradesh (CU Himachal) has stopped physical classes till April 21 following the state government's orders issued to control the spread of COVID-19. 

COVID-19: Central University of Himachal Pradesh closed for regular classes till April 21

According to reports - Careers360's and those other others, including The Hindu, NDTV and Times of India - these states are conducting board exams as scheduled:

• Karnataka
• Andhra Pradesh 
• Kerala
• Tamil Nadu
• Assam
• Meghalaya
• Tripura

Bihar Board (BSEB) is the only board in the country to have both conducted and declared both matriculation and intermediate results in 2021. Everyone else has been delayed by the pandemic.  Some have been compelled to cancel the Class 10 exam. 

In a note to students issued on April 16, the Jawaharlal Nehru University  (JNU) administration has advised students to "leave for their native places". The campus has 64 COVID-19 positive patients including 11 detected in one day, on April 16. 

Coronavirus on campus: JNU reported 64 COVID-positive cases on April 16. 

Status check: 

• ISC Class 12: Postponed. New date will be announced after a review of the COVID-19
• ICSE Class 10: Postponed and also optional. Students will be allowed to write the offline exam along with Class 12 when that is scheduled. Alternatively, they will be evaluated by an "unbiased criterion" developed by the board. 

[Note: Full form of ISC is Indian School Certificate. And that of ICSE is Indian Certificate of Secondary Education. They are conducted by the same board, Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, or CISCE]

Gujarat government will pay Rs 5,000 in addition to the stipend to medical interns and resident doctors engaged in treating COVID-19 patients. This 'incentive' will be given till June 30, 2021. The number of COVID-19 cases in Gujarat has shot up and local reports have accused the government of gross under-reporting of cases. 

Gujarat Govt announces special Covid incentive allowance of Rs.5000 per month in addition to the regular stipend for interns and resident doctors engaged in the noble task of treating COVID-19 patients in the State till June 30, 2021.

— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) April 16, 2021

The National Institute of Open School (NIOS) said that it is "keeping close watch on the situation" - COVID-19 second wave - and will decide on the NIOS 2021 June exam dates after May 20. 

In view of the prevailing situation due to covid-19 pandemic across the country and also taking in account the safety and well being of the Learners, the NIOS is keeping close watch on the situation for the schedule of June 2021 Examinations.@ANI @PIBHRD @EduMinOfIndia pic.twitter.com/zU9dVxL0TW

— NIOS (@niostwit) April 16, 2021

"Any person/student shall be allowed for movement during weekend curfew to appear in the examination on production of valid admit cards. The examination staff deployed for exam duties shall be allowed to travel on the production of valid I card," Delhi disaster Management Authority has said, reports ANI.

Any person/student shall be allowed for movement during weekend curfew to appear in the examination on production of valid admit cards. The examination staff deployed for exam duties shall be allowed to travel on the production of valid I card: Delhi disaster Management Authority

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2021

Pondicherry University has postponed exams at the university and all affiliated colleges that were scheduled from Monday, April 19. 

After deferring the board examination, Odisha Government has suspended all examinations and offline classes in universities and colleges coming under the State Higher Education Department from April 19. 

Examinations and physical classes in universities and colleges coming under Higher Education Department are suspended from 19th April.

— ଉଚ୍ଚଶିକ୍ଷା ବିଭାଗ, ଓଡିଶା ସରକାର ?? (@DHE_Odisha) April 16, 2021

Rajasthan's higher education minister (independent charge) Bhanwar Singh Bhati announced that all university exams have been postponed in Rajasthan, including those a private institutions. 

हमारे देश व राज्य में कोविड-19 की दूसरी लहर के कारण संक्रमण में तेजी से फैलाव को मध्यनजर रखते हुए राज्य के सभी राजकीय एवं स्ववित्तपोषित विश्वविद्यालयों की समस्त प्रकार की परीक्षाओं को आगामी आदेश तक स्थगित कर दिया गया है।
सजग रहें, सतर्क रहें। pic.twitter.com/PqFxwq8rVl

— Bhanwar Singh Bhati (@BSBhatiInc) April 16, 2021

These boards have already cancelled Class 10 (SSC) board exams: 

• CBSE
• Haryana
• Punjab
• Jammu and Kashmir (remaining exams)
• Telangana

These boards are still to decide on SSC board exams 2021: 

• CISCE
• Jharkhand
• West Bengal

The government announced Haryana schools closed for even Classes 9 to 12. The state's education minister, Kanwar Pal Gujjar, had already postponed its board exams. 

हरियाणा शिक्षा मंत्री श्री कंवरपाल ने कहा कि कोरोना के बढते मामलों की वजह से नौवीं से बारहवीं तक की कक्षाएं भी 30 अप्रैल तक बंद रहेंगी. पहली से आठवीं कक्षा तक स्कूलों को पहले ही 30 अप्रैल तक बंद किया जा चुका है.

— DPR Haryana (@DiprHaryana) April 16, 2021

Haryana education minister has ordered the closure of schools for Class 9 to 12 as the second wave of coronavirus hits the state. Earlier, all schools for Class 1 to 8 had been closed till April 30. Meanwhile, all examinations of all state and self-funded universities of the state have been postponed till further orders in Rajasthan.

With universities across states postponing exams, students of Kumaun University in Uttarakhand also demanded their exams be postponed. 

postponed kumaun university BA Bsc , B com 1 , 2 , 3 years exams conduct in may 24 how its possible exam conduct within 5 months after admission in january 2021 annual yearly students

— Sanjeev (@Sanjeev90094421) April 16, 2021

Rajasthan's education minister, Govind Singh Dotasra, declared a "complete holiday" for all educational institutes on Saturday due to the weekend curfew imposed from 6 pm on Friday evening to 5 am on Monday in the state.

प्रदेश में शुक्रवार शाम 6 बजे से सोमवार सुबह 5 बजे तक लगाए गए वीकेंड कर्फ़्यू के संबंध में प्रदेश की सभी शिक्षण संस्थानों में कल दिनांक 17.04.2021 को पूर्ण अवकाश घोषित किया गया है।@rajeduofficial pic.twitter.com/u6edorxGST

— Govind Singh Dotasra (@GovindDotasra) April 16, 2021

The undergraduate exams conducted by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, or MUHS, scheduled to be conducted from April 19 have been postponed till June. The state minister of medical education, Amit V Deshmukh announced the decision on Thursday. The minister further assured that the MUHS exam will be conducted in June after discussion with the Chief Minister and the detailed schedule of the examination will be announced accordingly. 

महाराष्ट्र आरोग्य विज्ञान विद्यापीठामार्फत 19 एप्रिल पासून घेण्यात येणाऱ्या वैद्यकीय विद्यार्थ्यांच्या परीक्षा मा. मुख्यमंत्री महोदयांशी चर्चा करून येत्या जून मध्ये घेण्यात येणार असून परीक्षेचे सविस्तर वेळापत्रक महाराष्ट्र आरोग्य विज्ञान विद्यापीठामार्फत जाहीर करण्यात येईल.

— Amit V. Deshmukh (@AmitV_Deshmukh) April 15, 2021

Tripura's education minister Ratan Lal Nath announced the closure of all public and private schools, colleges and universities until further notice on Friday. However, all exams will be conducted as per schedule. 

Due to surges in covid cases it has been decided that from 17.04.2021 all the classes of schools, colleges and universities which are under the state government (Including private Institutions) would remain closed until further order. Only the pre scheduled exams will be held.

— Ratan Lal Nath (@RatanLalNath1) April 16, 2021

As many as 537 students of TA Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) bagged internship offers in the placement drive conducted for the batch of 2020-21. All these students will complete their internships online, given the spike in coronavirus infections. A total of 18 students also self-sourced internship opportunities.

Apart from CBSE, here is the list of states that have cancelled Class 10 board exams 

• Punjab 
• Haryana
• Telangana 

Here are some of the states which decided to postpone state board exams 2021 amid the second wave of coronavirus in the country. 

• Maharashtra
• Uttar Pradesh
• Odisha
• Gujarat 
• Punjab
• Haryana
• Rajasthan
• Telangana
• Madhya Pradesh 
• Chattisgarh 
• Himachal Pradesh
• Jammu and Kashmir 

Denying all rumours, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has announced that the exam will be conducted as per schedule. SSC clarified that students need to reach the SSC CHSL exam centre on time. The SSC CHSL exam 2021 will be conducted in all three shifts till April 27, 2021. Candidates are also advised to follow the COVID-19 guidelines.

SSC CHSL Exam : सभी विद्यार्थी तय समय पर परीक्षा केंद्रों पर पहुंचे । Covid guidelines का पालन करें एवं किसी भी प्रकार की अफवाहों पर ध्यान नहीं दे । परीक्षा तय समय पर हो रही है । #StaySafe #SSC #sscchsl @SSCorg_in

— Staff Selection Commission (@SSCorg_in) April 16, 2021

Here is the list of states that have closed schools amid the rising number of coronavirus. 

• Maharashtra 
• Uttar Pradesh
• Delhi
• Odisha
• Haryana
• Gujarat
• Rajasthan
• Jharkhand
• Bihar
• Telangana
• Madhya Pradesh
• Chattisgarh
• Tamil Nadu
• Himachal Pradesh
• Uttarakhand
• Jammu and Kashmir
• Manipur
• Sikkim
• Mizoram
• West Bengal 

The Delhi Government issued the list of holidays for the 2021-22 academic session on Thursday. As per the list,  May 11 to June 30 will be observed as summer vacation. Although, June 28, 29 and 30 will be working days for teachers. The Autumn Break, as per the Delhi Government notice, will be from October 12 to 14, 2021 and the winter vacation will be from January 1 to 15, 2022.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. PC Joshi amidst the rising #Covid 19, cases appeals to the fraternity @UnivofDelhi to follow all protocols to keep safe and healthy. He urges all the eligible members to avail the facility at the #Covid Vaccination Centre, WUS health centre, North Campus. pic.twitter.com/OWlXlZaKJa

— University of Delhi (@UnivofDelhi) April 15, 2021

Several NDA entrance exam 2021 aspirants took to social media to request the Union Public Service Commission to postpone the UPSC NDA 1, 2021 exam in wake of the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the country. As the NDA exam date is April 18, students urged various government authorities to look into their demand to postpone the exam.

While one section of students is campaigning online, asking the government to postpone JEE Main 2021, others are simply wondering, "Will JEE Mains 2021 be postponed?"  A student is requesting the union education minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' to postpone the national-level entrance exam for engineering, JEE Main 2021 April session. The JEE Main 2021 April exam dates are April 27, 28, 29 and 30. 

please do something about jee mains April attempt as
Almost 22 lakh candidates have registered for JEE Main 2021, and Phase 3 is expected to be attempted by more than 6 lakh candidates
And these lives also matters#PostponeJEEApril

— Ashutosh Jha (@Ashutos24857768) April 16, 2021

The Odisha Government on Thursday postponed all board examinations including the Class 10 and 12 tests amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made the announcement after reviewing the coronavirus situation in Odisha, where active cases have surpassed the 14,000-mark. The decision to conduct the Odisha Board exam was put on hold earlier. The students of Class 9 and 11 will be promoted to the subsequent standard without appearing for any test. 

National Institute of Technology (NIT) Hamirpur has asked all its students to "vacate the hostels on priority" and head home "within 3-4 days". According to reports, 19 NIT Hamirpur students tested positive for COVID-19. 

pic.twitter.com/ihc9Q8yXLf

— NIT Hamirpur (@NITHamirpurHP) April 15, 2021

Harsh Vardhan, health minister, said that the new date for NEET PG 2021 will be set after review of the situation. Here is the letter from the health ministry Dr Harsh Vardhan shared. 

Harsha Vardhan on Twitter: "In light of the surge in COVID19 cases, GoI has decided to postpone NEET PG 2021 exam which was earlier scheduled to be held on Apr 18 Next date to be decided later  Decision has been taken keeping well-being of our young medical students in mind."

University of Jammu has postponed exams till April 20, 2021.

Examinations postponed. Details below? @OfficeOfLGJandK @diprjk pic.twitter.com/dLvh82iucW

— University of Jammu (@UniversityJammu) April 15, 2021

On Thursday, a total of 101 students tested positive for coronavirus on campus, the IIT Roorkee told Careers360. All asymptomatic students have been isolated in three different COVID care centre on the campus. "We are doing 100 per cent testing and retesting of students and staff members in the containment zones. Also, 100% testing of students in non-containment zones is also in the process. We have limited the entry-exit time and a student is allowed to go out for a period of two hours only," an official statement said. 

A Ministry of education initiative for students to deal with exam stress and anxiety will be conducted every Friday by a live webinar. 

Fight #COVID-19, Stay Safe and practice #SocialDistancing. Connect to experts to deal with Exam stress & anxiety on PMeVidya DTH-TV Channels. Live every Friday, interact on toll free #1800112199, 1800111265@EduMinOfIndia @DrRPNishank @SanjayDhotreMP@ssrivastava66 @ap_behera pic.twitter.com/15qHMvmoBM

— NCERT (@ncert) April 15, 2021

International Baccalaureate (IB) canceled its examinations across the country following a surge in COVID-19 cases. A non-examination route to be taken for admission of students.

Gujarat Government postpones the state board class 10 and 12 exams and will announce the date after May 15. Students from classes 1 to 9 and of class 11 will be promoted to the next class.

In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, Gujarat Govt decides to postpone Class 10 & 12 board examinations, scheduled to be held between May 10 to 25, and mass promotion for students of std 1 to 9 & 11. The new dates will be announced after reviewing the coronavirus situation on May 15.

— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) April 15, 2021

The Uttar Pradesh Combined Entrance Test (UPCET) 2021 has been rescheduled because of the postponement of CBSE Class 12 exams. UPCET 2021 is now set to happen on June 15.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik puts Class 10 and 12 exams on hold. Class 9 and 12 students will be declared pass. All schools and hostels to remain closed from April 19, The New Indian Express reports.

Amid rising COVID-19 cases, the Punjab government announced that students of classes 5, 8 and 10 will be promoted to the next class without exams. Results for classes 8 and 10 to be declared on the basis of pre-board exams or internal assessment. Results of class 5 will be declared on the basis of marks obtained by students in 4 subjects, that were conducted before the schools were shut again.

The Bihar Government has shut all government and private schools, colleges and other educational institutions till April 18 amid rising COVID-19 cases.

#Covid_19 संक्रमण के कारण बिहार राज्य अंतर्गत अवस्थित सभी सरकारी एवं निजी शैक्षणिक संस्थानों को दिनांक 18.04.2021 तक बंद रखने के संबंध में।#BiharEducationDept pic.twitter.com/cGetx97VM0

— Bihar Education Department (@BiharEducation_) April 15, 2021

With increasing cases and fatalities, DMK chief M K Stalin questions whether it is the right time to hold National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) for PG courses.

World University Services (WUS) Health Centre at Delhi University has opened a COVID Vaccination Centre to provide vaccination facilities to the members of the DU family.

Prof. P. C. Joshi, Vice Chancellor and Dr. Vikas Gupta, Registrar, visited WUS centre @UnivofDelhi today to inaugurate the Covid Vaccination Centre. It has been opened to provide vaccination facilities to members of the DU family. pic.twitter.com/qVUAu7pY8L

— University of Delhi (@UnivofDelhi) April 15, 2021

Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, the Uttar Pradesh state government has decided to postpone the class 10 and 12 examinations. The decision regarding the revised UP board exam date 2021 will be made soon. 

A second-year MTech student of IIT-Roorkee was in quarantine after coming in contact with COVID-19 positive students, though his RTPCR report was negative. He was found unconscious in his room and was later declared dead after been referred to the hospital, reported Amar Ujala. 

Amidst the second wave on COVID-19, the Goa government has not made any decision on cancelling the state board exams of Classes 10 and 12. The final exams of Classes 10 and 12 of the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education are scheduled to be held from April 24.

Over 100 members of the teaching and non-teaching staff at Allahabad University and its constituent colleges have tested positive for COVID-19, reports Hindustan Times.

The district head of Surajpur district in Chattisgarh who had issued an order stopping all doctors from taking leave, including those who had registered to write the NEET PG 2021, has withdrawn the order. The earlier order by the same administration had said that it will not allow medical officers leave for writing NEET PG 2021. The order had immediately sparked protests online.

The IIT Bombay campus has 90 active COVID-19 cases out of whom 20 are students, according to a report by India Today. The IIT Bombay administration has put stricter COVID-19 measures on campus.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) cancelled the CBSE Class 10 exam and postponed CBSE Class 12 exam after a review meeting held with prime minister Narendra Modi. 

Today Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji chaired a high-level meeting to review the examinations to be held at various levels in view of the developing Corona situation.

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) April 14, 2021