Vacation in varsities, but Patiala institute announces exams

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 9

The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) has decided to hold the online examinations starting on May 18, even as the state government has announced summer vacation in universities from May 15.

The exams will be conducted for the final-year BA LLB (integrated course) and LLM (one-year course) students only.

With this, the RGNUL has not only ignored the government’s notification, but also gone against the advice of an expert committee.

An expert committee of former Chief Secretary KR Lakhanpal has stated that the online examination should not be conducted given the risk of cheating.

Naresh Kumar Vats, RGNUL Registrar, admitted the university could not bypass the government’s directions. But he also said, “The government’s direction is to ensure social distancing. Students will not come to the university as the exams will be conducted online.”

He said a committee had been formed to decide on the format of the question paper: multiple choice or descriptive.

The Higher Education Department has, however, objected to the RGNUL’s decision. Secretary (Higher Education) Rahul Bhandari said, “As per the UGC guidelines, the exams should be conducted after July 1. I have spoken to Patiala DC Kumar Amit and told him the exams can’t be held in such a manner.”

A student on the condition of anonymity said he and his classmates were against the university’s decision. “The online mode does not ensure a level-playing field. It suits students from the elite background only,” he said.