University Grants Commission (UGC) recently tweeted that due to the prevailing COVID-19 conditions, admission in centrally-recognised universities may take place as per the norms followed earlier Therefore, the Central Universities Common Entrance Test (CUCET) might be conducted for the next academic session 2022-23. Furthermore, the commission has also instructed all affiliated universities and colleges to begin their undergraduate and postgraduate classes on or before October 01, 2021. The admission process for the same shall begin as soon as all boards including CBSE announce their Class 12 results by July 31, 2021.
Earlier, UGC had planned to conduct the CUCET 2021 examination to admit students to affiliated institutes and colleges. The Union Education Ministry had also established a separate committee to look into the modalities and possibility of conducting the CUCET exam. This exam was suggested for conducting undergraduate admission to various courses under the ambit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. However, due to the risky COVID-19 conditions, UGC might just implement CUCET from the next academic year i.e., 2022-23.
Instead of conducting a full-fledged admission test, the commission has decided to conduct the 2021-22 admission process based on the Class 12 marks. Accordingly, it asked all colleges and institutes to begin the admission process for UG courses only after CBSE, ICSE and the state board announce their results. All education boards have been given time till July 31, 2021, to announce their Class 12 results. Invariably, students can expect the admission process to begin in the first week of August 2021.
UGC authorities have also instructed colleges to complete their admission process latest by September 30, 2021. Thereafter, the last date for filling up all the vacant seats during the admission process is October 31, 2021. Required documents related to the qualifying exams along with their verification can be conducted by December 31, 2021. Along with this admission schedule, the new academic session shall most likely begin from October 01, 2021, for first-year or first semester students. However, in cases of delay in result declaration, colleges are allowed to begin the new session latest by October 18, 2021.
Commission authorities also acknowledged that some higher education institutes are located in areas with restrictions on public gatherings. Such institutions can plan their admission activities by adhering to the local imposed norms. However, it is unlikely that the recommended admission schedule will cause any hurdle in the restrictions imposed by the government or competent authority.
While the COVID-19 situation in the country has stabilised to a great extent, there have been no talks of conducting physical lectures. Depending on the situation in October, colleges may open for students in limited capacity along with the continuation of online classes. However, as of now, first-year students shall be attending UG lectures through the online mode.
