Final year results to come soon but law students still awaiting semester 4 marksheet

Photo for representational purpose. Picture Courtesy/iStock

Students of LLB (Bachelor of Law) from colleges affiliated to the Mumbai University are in a fix. They are waiting for their final result after completing their sixth semester exam a few days ago, but still don't have a marksheet for clearing semester four - thanks to contradictory orders by different regulatory bodies amidst the pandemic outbreak.

While the university had decided to promote all students based on academic performances in earlier years; the Bar Council of India (BCI) had insisted on them holding examinations considering it is a professional course. In a blended approach of internal assessment and online tests, semester four results were declared by city law colleges, but no marksheets were issued sans clarity in assessment pattern. Now when these students are enroute their law degree, a year later, they don't have the semester four marksheet.

A BCI circular dated June 10 to universities has caused further confusion. As per the circular, colleges are expected to hold assessments in whichever manner suitable, as directed by the affiliating university. But without any specific directive by the Mumbai University in case of the semester four exam, law colleges are confused whether they should issue the marksheet. "If marksheets are later declared invalid because an approved pattern of assessment was not followed, students will face difficulties, such as during admission to higher degree courses or even when applying for approval for law practice from BCI," said a law college principal.

The Director of Board of Examinations and Evaluations, Vinod Patil, said, "The administration is waiting for a few court cases in the matter to conclude before issuing any directive regarding semester four marksheets."