The University Grants Commission (UGC) is likely to issue guidelines next week for the current and next academic sessions, including a new schedule for examinations postponed due to outbreak of COVID-19.

The Commission had formed two panels earlier in this regard who submitted their reports on April 24, sources on Tuesday said. The first panel- a seven-member body, headed by Haryana Central University vice-chancellor R C Kuhad, recommended that the new academic year can be initiated in the month of September.

The panel also proposed that all the exams which have been delayed should be held in July. The second panel, headed by Professor Nageshwar Rao, vice-chancellor, IGNOU, was instructed to look into how colleges and universities can conduct and promote online classes and issues surrounding it.

Several universities across country, including prominent ones like JNU, Delhi University, Mumbai University are waiting for the UGC guidelines to chalk out their future plans. The exams of all the universities have been put on hold due to the lockdown imposed to combat the Covid-19 situation. A sense of confusion was also prevailing regarding the exams and the academic sessions among students and faculty.