University of Delhi: In a major turn of unfortunate events for the terminal year students of the University of Delhi, the Delhi High Court has disposed of the petition that demanded to scrap the Open Book Examinations (OBE). The judgement has not been updated on the website of the Delhi High Court yet. However, it can be inferred that the OBE would be conducted as per the notifications of the University. The University had also mentioned that the students unable to appear for the OBE may appear for a pen-paper examination when the situation improves.
The hearing took place via video conference. The advocate was allegedly absent when the verdict was pronounced, therefore, the final judgement is still unclear as of now.
The case was filed in the Delhi High Court by three final year students of Kirori Mal College, Aryabhata College and SOL respectively. They are residents of a slum area, Chuna Bhati, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi belonging “to the poor strata of the society.”
The petition accused the University of violating the Right to Equality of the petitioners and the students, at large, because of the difference in technological infrastructure, connectivity and the atmosphere including background noises, sitting space, dedicated room, etc which can “adversely affect the interest of students” of rural and poor urban areas. The petition, also, mentioned a lack of approval of OBE “through any rules, regulations or decision of the Academic Council (Section 23 of the Delhi University Act).” The petition specified inexperience of the administration, teachers and the students for OBE which, in turn, compromises “the sanctity of the examinations” along with the fact that the online classes recorded minimum attendance.
