Pondicherry University to conduct semester exams for final years through online/offline mode from September 14  

Pondicherry University announced that the end semester examinations for final year students will be conducted between September 14 and 22. The circular also stated that the exam will be held in offline/online/blended mode as per the UGCs guidelines. 

The circular issued by the P Rajasekaran, Assistant Registrar, Academic Admission on August 31 confirmed that the students of the University would have to write their final year exams. The circular states that if there is a practical paper or practical test that is required to be conducted only in the offline mode, the respective department would be permitted to do so. "The students are instructed to strictly comply with the guidelines and Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Ministry of Education for the conduct of the exams," it said. 

The circular also informed students that final year students having arrears in the previous semesters, the arrear examinations for these students will be held on the above dates. Similarly in case of passed out students who have not exceeded the maximum duration of study, their arrear examinations will also be held to enable them to complete their degrees, the University said. "Integrated courses, their sixth semester exams will also be conducted provided they do not have any arrears upto fifth semester and they also have the required credits and other requirements for the exit options," it added. 

Many took to Twitter pleading to the VC to make the exams purely online as they were worried for their safety. One said, "Sir, I am the backbone of my family, if I suffer during the exam, it'll be a huge loss for my family." Another said that many students they know are COVID positive and would only be able to attempt the exam if it is online.