Online Exams Conducted by Open Universities Not Valid: UGC

Beware! Now, the degrees that are obtained through online examinations conducted by various universities through distance or open learning programmes will not be considered as valid. India’s higher education regulator has given the clarification and indicated that there are not any such rules that allow the varsities to conduct online exam for open or distance learning courses.

The distance education bureau of University Grants Commission has found that various universities and distance learning institutes approved by UGC are violating the rules by offering online examinations to open learning courses.

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As per the official statement that was issued by UGC, it explained that there is no such policy framed by the Commission to conduct online examinations for distance learning courses. The varsities or institutes do not have any right to award degree/ certificate to online programmes. Until the UGC frames a policy for the same, these degrees or certificates are not valid.

The letter further indicated that thousands of students are pursuing various courses through open universities in India and these varsities do not have approval for online examinations. So far, UGC has not framed any standard parameters for online exams.

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Vice-Chancellor of Indira Gandhi National Open University was of the opinion that it is time for UGC to prepare a framework for conducting online examinations. It shall frame regulations and standard parameters and further give an approval for online examinations. The system brings transparency in the process of examination. He further clarified that IGNOU has never conducted an online examination for any course.