Maharashtra Higher Education Minister Uday Samant has directed all the universities to conduct summer examinations in off-line mode.
Samant addressed the vice-chancellors through video conference on Monday. As the schools and colleges have been started with physical presence of the students and teachers, the examinations should also be conducted in that mode.
Only a few days back (April 21), Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University had announced that the examinations will be conducted on-line. The students will have the option to write the examinations in off-line mode.
Samant, however, took the decision on Monday and directed the Universities to conduct off-line examinations.
RTMNU will take final decision in the meeting of Board of Examinations and Evaluation, in next two or three days.
Samant’s decision has put the universities again in difficulties. The University had made all the arrangements for on-line theory examinations. The practical examinations are to be held from May 2 in the physical presence of the students.
Many student organisations had opposed the off-line mode, as their classes were mostly held on-line. Samant’s new decision at this stage has pushed the universities again into a difficult situation.
The autonomy of universities appears only on paper, as interference of the government authorities and political leaders is increasing in its functioning.