Plea opposes DU’s open book Online Exam for final-year UG, PG Students; HC seeks Varsity stand

The High Court of Delhi has sought response of the Delhi University on a petition challenging its decision to conduct online open book exams for final-year students of undergraduate & postgraduate courses from July 1 in view of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Justice Jayant Nath issued notice to the university directing it to file a response to the petition by 3 students, belonging to economically weaker sections of the society, who have contended that this form of examination was beneficial only for those well off.

The petitioner-students -- Abhishek, Sharanjeet Kumar & Deepak -- have contended that the “well-off students” would have the support of “intelligent parents, friends, gadgets & search engines” during exams, whereas their poor counterparts wouldn't have access to any of these.

The 3 student, represented by senior advocate J P Sengh & advocate Ayushi Chugh, also claimed that there was no way to find out who was cheating when open book online exams are held.

Their plea further said that lack of proper internet connectivity & electricity would affect the performance of the poor students hailing from rural areas.

The petitioners, who study in different DU colleges, have sought directions to the university to either withdraw its May 14 notification or to conduct the exams in examination halls by following social distancing norms to check the spread of the Covid-19.

Another alternative suggested by them is to promote the final-year students on the basis of average of marks obtained in previous years & internal assessment of the current academic year.  The court has listed the matter for further hearing on June 18.

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