SWAYAM Courses: Universities can choose flexible exam formats but must secure process, says UGC

Universities are allowed to choose the way they conduct assessments for online courses offered through SWAYAM portal, the University Grants Commission has clarified. At the same time, the higher education institutions are also responsible for verifying identities of examinees and securing the exam process.

The UGC has answered a set of frequently-asked questions (FAQs) on evaluation and assessments for SWAYAM courses. Their goal is to help higher education institutions conduct examinations and assessments for SWAYAM courses.

They also clarify the processes for credit transfers, assessment modes, eligibility for certification and more. The UGC has said that universities may choose between online proctored examinations, offline pen-and-paper exams at designated centres, continuous internal assessments, or blended evaluation models. However, they must also implement identity verification measures and take steps to secure handling of question papers, invigilation and “audit trails to prevent malpractice”.

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For SWAYAM courses with large cohorts of students and ones that carry credits, universities can employ “technology-enabled or hybrid proctoring to strengthen exam security”, the FAQ responses say.

The UGC allows up to 40% of the total credit to be earned through online programmes. Students can transfer credits earned through SWAYAM to their parent university, subject to institutional approval and academic regulations. This enables students to integrate SWAYAM courses into their regular degree programmes.

SWAYAM Portal: Course credit transfer rules

While the SWAYAM platform hosts the courses and facilitates online learning, it's the institution offering the programme which is responsible for running it. It evaluates learners, issues certificates, and maintains academic integrity.

Students can earn credits if they complete SWAYAM courses that carry credits and pass the exams. They can apply for credit transfer to their parent institution, subject to the university’s approval. The parent university approves and records the credits after verifying course completion and examination results.

There is a great deal of flexibility allowed to the institutions in matters of assessment. Apart from being allowed to choose the format of the exam, they can hold an exam at the national level or within the university, depending on infrastructure and academic calendars.