[UGC VS STUDENTS] SC Hearing On Petitions Seeking Cancellation Of Final Year Exams [Courtroom Exchange]

SG now attempts to show the Bench statistics regarding all the States.

The Bench directs him to submit a short note and to begin on the legal submission. 

SG now refers to State of Maharashtra’s 13 July affidavit.

SG: What is the position ? We are not only dealing with 4-5 states. It is a pan-India issue. 

SG: The UGC’s directions are meant to ensure that the degrees of the students are provided to them at the lastest. It is for their interest only.

SG: The UGC and other Regulators exist for the protection of interests of stakeholders. Here, students are the main stakeholders. 

SG now refers to the Standard Operating Procedure which lays down the dos and don’ts that has been vetted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 SG: The SOP talks about thermal scanning, masks, social distancing, and this was approved so as to ensure that students’ health was fine. 

SG: The performance in examination brings in scholarship and recognition, and job opportunities. I want to now show application of mind and consideration of ground situation. 

SG: Presently many Universities have conducted the exams - online, offline and in hybrid mode. 

SG now refers to the MHA Guidelines which have been referred to in the past few months. He also refers to the Guidelines for conduct of examinations. 

SG: Now, responding to Dr. Singhvi’s manifestly arbitrary argument, the conduction of final-year exam is a must. One cannot say that holding it is arbitrary. 

SG now refers to Divan’s arguments of last week about how the government wasn’t functioning. He further states that the MHA’s guidelines could make the restrictions stricter.