Classes for first-year students of colleges and universities will begin from November 1, as per the revised academic calendar for 2020-21 released by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Also, classes will be held six days a week to make up for the time lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The UGC had earlier released an academic calendar in April, that said the new academic year will begin on September 1. However, this was postponed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank tweeted that the UGC has approved the expert committee's recommendations on the academic calendar.

All admission process will have to be completed before October 31. First semester/year for both under-graduate and post-graduate courses will begin from November 1. 

Classes will be held six days a week. Holiday breaks and vacations will be curtailed. With these steps, the authorities are hopeful that the courses would be completed in a time-bound manner. 

However, the Supreme Court has conveyed its displeasure over the release of the academic calendar as the matter is sub judice. The SC has asked the UGC to file an explanation.