A social media post accompanying an image that appears to be a notice by the University Grants Commission (UGC) instructing all the universities to conduct exams offline following COVID-19 protocols, is being shared widely across platforms. Let’s fact-check the authenticity of the viral notice shared in the post.
Claim: UGC notice instructing all the universities to conduct offline exams.
Fact: UGC did not issue any notice instructing universities to conduct exams offline. The viral notice is created digitally. UGC through another notice has categorically stated that the viral notice has not been issued by them. Further, PIB and many other news agencies have reported the viral notice as fake. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
While UGC has been issuing notices regularly on different issues which are made public on their official website, we could not find any letter as claimed in the viral post instructing universities to conduct offline exams.
In fact, UGC has issued a notice on 13 December 2021 clearing the air around the viral notice, categorically stating that the viral notice has not been issued by them. Further, this notice clarified that all the public notices issued by UGC are regularly uploaded on the UGC website www.ugc.ac.in.
Upon juxtaposing the viral notice with that of a real notice of UGC, it is evident that the viral notice is created using digital tools. We can observe a few errors in the viral notice like file no, font style of certain titles, etc.
UGC India and PIB have also clarified the same through Twitter. Their tweets have categorically rated the viral notice as fake. Further, Multiple news agencies have also reported the viral notice and the clarification issued by the UGC in this regard here, here, and here)
In fact, through another notice dated 13 December 2021, UGC has left it to the colleges to take a call on reopening of the universities, conduct of classes, and examinations. The circular reads ‘HEIs may take appropriate decision with regard to opening of campuses; conducting classes and examinations in offline/online/ blended mode in accordance with the guidelines-issued by the UGC and following COVID Appropriate Behavior and necessary protocols /guidelines /directions /advisories issued” by the Central/state Governments or competent authorities from time to time, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.’
To sum it up, this notice instructing all universities to conduct exams offline is not issued by UGC.
