In Brief
During the COVID-19 pandemic, students challenged UGC guidelines requiring universities to conduct final examinations despite State Disaster Management Authorities' restrictions on physical gatherings. The Supreme Court held that the UGC guidelines fall within its statutory authority to coordinate and maintain standards in higher education and are binding on universities. While State authorities can restrict physical examinations due to pandemic conditions, they cannot promote students without examination or bypass UGC academic standards. State decisions promoting students without final exams fall outside the Disaster Management Act's protective scope and must yield to UGC guidelines on degree awards and examination standards.
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