Students of IIT’s graduating batch now have an option to “graduate early”

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has recently set forth a policy for the graduating batch to the relief of students worried about their career plans getting impacted due to the nation-wide lockdown and is providing them with an option to graduate early. 

The policy has been approved by the IIT Senate but will be subject to modification depending on how the COVID-19 pandemic evolves.

IIT Delhi Director V Ramgopal Rao says “The graduating batch (students who have less than a semester of graduation requirements left) can decide on an ‘early graduation’ option, which will be the end of June or go through a ‘regular graduation process’ (as and when we are allowed to reconvene) and follow a regular schedule for graduation. As per the current plans, we hope to get the students back to the campus starting from July 2 in a phased manner. However, these dates can change depending on how the COVID-19 situation evolves. Since there may be some delays in this, the time-bound early graduation plan is being offered. Students are not forced to take it, but will have the flexibility if they choose to exercise this option,” he said.

Students that choose to opt for the early graduation will be presented with two choices - an “audit pass or fail” option or a “credit” alternative.

“For the audit pass or fail option, instructors will declare the cut-off and the process, taking into account the COVID-19 related constraints. For the credit option, students will take online tests, take-home exams, assignments, and telephonic viva-voce. The grading policy for the credit option will also be announced soon “All early graduation requirements will be met through an online process. No student will need to come to the campus. The only reason the graduating batch will need to come to the campus will be to take away their belongings” V Ramgopal Rao stated.

“In case a student cannot complete graduation requirements by June-end with these options offered to them, they will have a fallback option to graduate when the semester reconvenes. The pass and fail percentages this year will be no different from the previous years. It will be our responsibility to ensure that no one is disadvantaged because of the prevailing COVID-19 situation,” he also added.