Previously, the standard pathway to a PhD was to complete your masters degree and then appear for NET. If you are able to crack the exam then you can go for your research studies. NET serves as a national benchmark to assess a candidate’s eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and teaching positions in Indian universities and colleges.  However, this new regulation allows students with immense expertise in their respective field of study to pursue PhD just after UG.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the eligibility to be fulfilled for applying:

•  Eligibility: Students who have completed a four-year undergraduate program with a minimum of 75% marks or equivalent grade can now directly register for the UGC-NET exam. There will be relaxations accordingly for SC, ST and OBC as per the guidelines by UGC.
•  Exam Mode:  The upcoming UGC-NET exam, scheduled for June 16th this year, will be conducted in online mode. Students will go through a  Computer Based Test (CBT). 
•  Subject Choice:  This is the most significant change in Indian education history. Students can apply for any subject irrespective of the discipline of their bachelor’s degree, in NET. This allows for greater flexibility. If a student has a UG degree of chemistry then he or she can apply for History in NET.

This new policy by the UGC presents a bright opportunity for meritorious students. Previously if a student wanted to pursue PhD in neuroscience, he or she must have the M.Sc. The revised regulation allows this student to directly pursue their research passion in Neuroscience after clearing the UGC-NET exam. This would save their time and they would be able to devote more time towards research.

Of course, successfully completing a PhD program can be tough for students who have just graduated from colleges. So it is assumed that  Universities may have additional requirements for PhD admissions. They may introduce specific programs or contact separate entrance tests according to their considerations.

The subject for the NET exam doesn’t have to be tied to your undergraduate degree. This opens doors for so many students who have some specific interest in some specific field of study. It allows them to explore research areas that truly ignite their curiosity. The upcoming June 16th UGC-NET exam holds immense significance in all aspects. But a question remains unanswered. How much will this arrangement be fruitful? Will the young minds who have just passed college be able to cope up with the sincerity of PhD? What are your thoughts? Share in the comment below.

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The University is yet to announce date of commencement of academic session for new students.

DU, in a notification, said:” The academic session 2020-2021 of the university will commence from 10-08-2020 with start of online classes for the 3rd, 5th and 7th semester of UG courses and 3rd semester of PG courses subject to the prevailing pandemic or any other exigency.”

The varsity said that the decision has been taken after University Grants Commission (UGC) issued revised guidelines and will be “subject to the prevailing pandemic or any other exigency”.

DU’s decision comes at a time when UGC guidelines are being challenged in Supreme Court. About 31 students from across the country have filed a plea in SC asking the court to repeal UGC guidelines, “citing safety concerns due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

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Moreover, the list of academics also include the former UGC chairperson, Sukhadeo Thorat. The letter appealed the UGC to cancel the final-term exams for DU final year students.

Additionally, Mr. Thorat adds in the letter, “I am hoping that as fellow teachers committed to the welfare of our students and the integrity of our examinations, you and your colleagues in the commission will take note of the widespread sentiment that this appeal represents.”

UGC released the revised guidelines for the final-term exams earlier this week. According to the guidelines, it is compulsory to conduct exams for final year students. Furthermore, the exams should be over by September.

The academics further argued that online exams or blend exams will favour students with better internet connections. They also add that the cancellation of exam will not lead to devaluation of exams. Rather, will save it from mockery.

Additionally, DU Open Book Exam was to start from July 10. But the university has now postponed the date to the month of August. This has raised questions to the working of the university. Furthermore, the Delhi High Court has also asked university to be clear on its decision.

As of now, the final-term exam of Delhi University will take place after 15th August.

Related: https://www.dutimes.com/ugc-declares-revised-guidelines/

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The UGC recently came up with new set of guidelines. It advice universities to access the final year students till the end of the month of September. Henceforth, the Delhi University might defer the exams till August. Additionally, the university can hold the exams after August 15.

A meeting was called by the HRD Minister to discuss the examination as well as the academic calendar for the colleges of Delhi University.

Meanwhile, the university may extend its last date of admission for the new students. The JEE Main exam is schedule to be held in the first week of September. Additionally, NEET exam will be conducted on September 13, while JEE Advance will be on September 27.

DU is likely to get over with the admission process only when these exams are over. Moreover, the new academic year may start in the month of November.

Having faced a lot of criticism due to OBE exams, the university is now sure to go ahead with the decision to hold exams. With the release of guidelines, it is now sure that the university might conduct exams for final year students. Additionally, the UGC guidelines have made it compulsory for colleges to conduct exams for final year students.

Amidst the Covid-19, the university wants to conduct exams, while facing a lot of criticism from both teachers as well as students likely. DUTA is still in oppose of this decision. But it seems the university will go ahead with its decision to organize the exams.

Related: https://www.dutimes.com/amidst-the-growing-demand-for-cancellation-of-exams-students-to-boycott-obe/

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The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) condemned the decision to organize final exams in the month of September for final year students.

Furthermore, the revised guidelines permits different universities to opt for any mode of exam. This can be online or pen and paper mode, or blended as per their will.

However, the DUTA is not happy with this decision. Additionally, it demands from UGC to cancel the exams. DU is looking to conduct Open Book Exams (OBE) for final year students. However, the same has faced a lot of criticism, jointly from students as well as the teachers.

DUTA sees OBE as discriminatory in nature. Furthermore, it adds, ” the OBE is discriminatory towards a large section of students and is clearly being pushed with no other motive than to promote big business in education.”

Additionally, this statement also points towards the failure of the university to hold mock exams for OBE properly.

It is important to know that several states have cancelled exams for universities. The latest states to make into this list are Punjab and Rajasthan. Both the states have called off the final exams. Additionally, several central universities have too taken the same decision. Prestigious institutes such as IIT Bombay have already decided to go away with exams this year.

Additionally, this decision has come when the cases of coronavirus are on a rise in the country. Furthermore, DUTA added that it is disheartening to see DU caring so little for its students. It further adds, ” students come with big dreams and aspirations to study in the university. And it is shocking to see the university care so little.”

Related: https://www.dutimes.com/duta-writes-to-ugc-urges-quicker-decision-on-university-exams/

For more information: https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/9037307_Press-Release-English.pdf

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