Professor Manish Ratnakar Joshi, secretary of the University Grants Commission (UGC), has emphasized the importance of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) adhering to academic calendars. Joshi stressed the vital need of upholding a disciplined academic timetable for efficient teaching-learning and research in a letter to college principals and vice chancellors of all institutions.
The letter impinged upon the pivotal role played by academic calendars in offering a comprehensive overview of planned events throughout the academic year, including class commencements, examinations, vacations, and other significant milestones. Prof Joshi stated that releasing the academic calendar well in advance ensures clarity and alignment among all stakeholders, specially the students.
While quoting various regulations including the UGC (Minimum Standards of Instruction for the Grant of the First Degree through Formal Education) Regulations, 2003, and the UGC (Minimum Standards of Instruction for the Grant of the Master’s Degree through Formal Education) Regulations, 2003, Joshi underpinned the need for specific timelines for the commencement of classes, declaration of results, and flexibility allowances for professional courses.
The letter further referred to clauses from the UGC (Grant of Degree and Other Awards by Universities) Regulations, 2008, with a mandate for HEIs to announce their academic calendars at the start of each academic year, encompassing schedules for all activities and degree awards.
Keeping the regulations in view, HEIs were urged to announce their academic calendars and adhere strictly to the prescribed schedules for the commencement of the academic session, examination schedules, and result declarations as specified by the UGC or relevant Statutory Regulatory Councils.
The directive from the UGC secretary will act as a reminder to HEIs nationwide to abide by the academic calendar guidelines, so as to ensure excellence in higher education.
The UGC letter states, “Every university shall ensure that the classes for courses in subjects other than professional courses for the first year students shall commence by not later than the first week of August and for the students of second year onwards, by not later than the third week of July. The results for all the courses shall be declared by not later than last week of June.”
“A flexibility of upto two weeks may be allowed for professional courses in commencement of classes for students of second year and later keeping view the requirement of project work, summer schools and internship, etc. an professional courses.” year and later keeping view the requirement of project work, summer schools and internship, etc in professional courses.”
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(Source: Education Times)
