With the national lockdown due to COVID-19 extended until 3rd May, Delhi University has decided to hold the annual semester exams online. The university is planning to hold semester exams for all its students enrolled in undergraduate and postgraduate level programmes online. According to media reports, the varsity has Delhi University Computer Centre to develop the online exam platform to conduct semester exams in online format.
While the university officials have already begun preliminary preparations for conduct of the exams online, the varsity is still awaiting UGC approval for the same. According to Dean of DU’s Examination centre, Dr. Vinay Gupta, the current circumstances of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic leave no scope for universities to hold in person examination for all the students. During such times, online exams remain the only way out for universities. However, he also said that the final decision can only be taken after committees report. Other senior officials have also maintained that online semester exams will be held for DU students only after the necessary guidelines and approvals are provided by UGC and MHRD.
Providing more details about the mode of Delhi University Semester exams, the varsity officials informed that they are looking at multiple options through which the exam can be conducted. Delhi University said that they might develop a dedicated smartphone application to hold the exams and are also considering developing a dedicated website where all students can log in using their credentials to appear for the examination. However, DU’s Examination Centre Dean Dr. Vinay Gupta ruled out possibility of holding exams via Email or WhatsApp where in students will be shared a set of questions and they will have to submit their answers in return. JNU had experimented examination through Email / WhatsApp last year during the students’ protest against fee hike. However, the move came under severe criticism among students and academics alike.
