ANUPAM & ORS. Vs. UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This hearing has been held through video conferencing.

(2.) Anupam and Ors v. University of Delhi and Ors. [WP (C ) 3946/2020] was first listed before this Court on 6th July 2020. All the Petitioners herein are final year students pursuing studies in the University of Delhi (hereinafter, 'DU'). In the said writ petition, an intervention application, being CM No. 14172/2020 was filed on behalf of five students of Lady Sriram College who are also in their final year. All Petitioners pray for quashing of DU's decision to hold Online Open Book Examinations (hereinafter, 'online OBE') on several grounds including technical glitches, non-availability of access to computers, 4G internet connectivity, mental and physical state of students due to COVID-19 lockdown etc. However, since the University Grants Commission (hereinafter, 'UGC') was to issue revised guidelines, which was imminent, in order to end the uncertainty, UGC and UOI were directed to make a statement as to their stand on cancellation of examinations on 7th July, 2020. DU was also directed to place on record various details to show their preparedness for conducting the online OBEs from 10th July, 2020.

(3.) On 7th July 2020, the revised guidelines of UGC were placed on record. The Dean (Examinations) of DU also appeared and clarified a number of queries regarding the number of students appearing for the examination; date sheets for all courses; tentative schedule for conduct of exams until announcement of results; various safeguards adopted for conduct of exams online, including for receiving question papers and uploading of answer sheets; giving of results on a 'confidential' basis for students who have obtained admissions in foreign universities etc. The crux of the said hearing was that DU is fully ready to go ahead and conduct the online OBEs from 10th July, 2020. However, at the end of the hearing, the Court was also informed that a meeting was under-way in the Ministry and there could be some changes in the decision. Thus, the matter was adjourned to 8th July, 2020 for DU to confirm the examination date sheet and examination schedule.