Punjab cancels university and college exams amid Covid 19 pandemic

NEW DELHI: University and college examinations in Punjab have been cancelled in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said on Saturday. The students will be promoted on the basis of their previous years' results and will also have an option to take the exams later, Singh announced in his weekly 'AskCaptain' Facebook live.

However, the online exams being conducted by some universities will continue uninterrupted.

Universities and colleges are in the process of working out the modalities for implementing the decision which will be announced in the next few weeks, the Chief Minister said. Mr Singh urged all students to continue with their studies in right earnest despite the cancellation of the examinations. "You have to continue to work for your future," he told the students.

Chief Minister @capt_amarinder Singh has announced cancellation of university and college examinations in the state in view of the #CovidPandemic, though the exams that are currently being conducted online by some universities will continue uninterrupted. #PunjabFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/YbPXmG1lG8

— Government of Punjab (@PunjabGovtIndia) July 4, 2020

Responding to the CM's announcement, the Punjab University (PU) here said it is waiting for the UGC guidelines. In a statement, PU's dean of university instructions R K Singla informed that the university has noted the announcement made by the Punjab CM regarding the cancellation of university and college exams.

"However, the university which has been preparing for exams and admission related activities since long, is awaiting guidelines from UGC," it said.

On June 28, the Punjab government had postponed the university and college examinations till July 15. The CMO Punjab tweeted that the final decision on examinations will be taken based on the UGC revised guidelines. Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have already postponed their examinations.

CM @capt_amarinder Singh postpones exams for Exit classes in all universities of state till July 15 amid concerns by students & parents over safe conduct of exams amid #Covid_19 pandemic. But makes it clear that final decision on the subject will depend on new #UGCGuidelines pic.twitter.com/2yG7GaXgJK

— CMO Punjab (@CMOPb) June 28, 2020

Civil services examination

Meanwhile, the CM has announced increase in the number of attempts for ex-servicemen appearing for the Punjab Civil Services examination. Scheduled Caste candidates will continue to get unlimited chances, as per the existing system, while the General Category ex-servicemen will now get six attempts, instead of the earlier four.

For the Backward Classes category of ex-servicemen, the number of attempts has been increased to nine, the Chief Minister said. Singh said he had received several petitions from ex-servicemen to be put at par with the overall General Category aspirants.

(With inputs from PTI)

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