UGC University Admissions Process to Finish by 30 September

The University Grants Commission, or UGC, published the 2021-22 academic calendar and admission guidelines on Friday, 16 July 2021. Henceforth, the commission has stated that universities and colleges must complete undergraduate and postgraduate course admissions by 30 September 2021.

Thus, following the UGC mandate, university boards will begin the admissions procedures after all the Indian HSC boards have released their class 12 results. These include CBSE, CISCE, and all state boards. Earlier, almost all boards had cancelled the 2021 class 12 examinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, many class 12 results are being based on alternative evaluation criteria in place of exams. Several state boards, including Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, have already published their class 12 results.

After the admissions process deadline, both undergraduate and postgraduate courses must begin at the latest 1 October. However, in case of a delay in class 12 results, institutions can extend the commencement date until 18 October 2021. Lessons may occur offline, online, or in blended mode, depending on the university’s decision. In addition, colleges can now schedule classes, holidays, exams, and semester breaks between 1 October 2021 and 31 July 2022. However, educational institutions must continue to follow COVID-19 protocols strictly.

UGC Guidelines Regarding Exams and Cancellation Fees

Educational institutions must conduct intermediate and final semester examinations for the 2020-2021 academic year by 31 August 2021. In addition, universities can choose whether exams will take place online, offline, or in blended testing modes. However, examinations must strictly adhere to current COVID-19 measures. 

In consideration of coronavirus financial constraints, UGC has asked universities to provide full refunds for admission cancellations. Also, there should be no added cancellation charges. This refund facility will be available for both cancellations and migrations until 31 October 2021. Afterwards, cancellations up to 31 December 2021 can only deduct a maximum INR 1000 processing fee from the total refund.