Jamia extends online classes till November 8, moves mid-term exams online
By Aditi KulkarniEducation Writer, Peepals Bharat
Representative image: Mohamed_hassan / Pixabay
Jamia Millia Islamia has extended online classes until November 8, 2026 and will hold second mid-term exams online as the students' union protest continues.
What Happened
Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi has extended online classes until November 8, 2026 and decided that its second mid-term examinations will also be held online, as protests by students demanding the revival of the students' union continue on its campus. The university's office order, reported on October 26 and 27, 2026, says online teaching will run through the Diwali holidays and the situation will be reviewed after November 8. The university has also issued a final notice to a student on hunger strike, warning of disciplinary action, according to reports.
Key Facts
- Online classes at Jamia Millia Islamia are extended until November 8, 2026, through the Diwali holidays; the university will review the situation after that date.
- The second mid-term examinations will be conducted online.
- Deans, heads of departments and directors, in consultation with the Controller of Examinations, will decide the exam schedule and other arrangements, according to the office order as reported.
- The protest, which began on October 12, demands the restoration of the students' union; reports say union elections have not been held since 2006.
- The university earlier said elections would be held within 15 days of the union's constitution being approved, but protesters want a definite timeline for the polls.
- The university has issued a final notice to a student on hunger strike and directed protesters to vacate the Gulistan-e-Ghalib building and Ghalib Lawn in the north campus, warning of disciplinary and legal action, according to reports.
- The university has revoked suspension and show-cause notices that had been issued to students during the agitation.
Why It Matters
Earlier this month the university moved classes online and shut parts of its campus as the protest escalated. The latest order extends that arrangement by about two weeks and, for the first time, moves an examination online. For thousands of students, this settles one immediate question, how the mid-terms will be held, while leaving open when normal teaching will resume. Online exams change how students prepare: they need reliable internet access and a suitable device, and they must follow whatever rules on timing and proctoring their departments set. Students in hostels who have gone home for Diwali, or those from families without good connectivity, are the most likely to face difficulty.
The dispute at the centre of the protest is about student representation. A students' union gives students an elected voice in decisions on fees, hostels, academic calendars and grievances. According to reports, Jamia has not held union elections since 2006. The university administration has said elections will follow within 15 days once the union's constitution is approved, while protesters say that promise is not enough without a fixed date. The administration's decision to withdraw earlier suspensions and show-cause notices suggests some easing on disciplinary measures, even as it has issued fresh warnings to those occupying university buildings and to a student on hunger strike.
For a central university of Jamia's size, the stand-off affects the whole academic session. Teaching time lost now has to be recovered later, and examination schedules for the semester depend on when the campus reopens fully. The review promised after November 8 will be the next point at which students learn whether in-person classes return.
| What has changed | Earlier this month | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Classes | Moved online as protest escalated | Online until November 8, review after that |
| Second mid-term exams | Mode not announced | To be held online |
| Disciplinary action | Suspensions and show-cause notices issued | Those notices revoked; final notice to hunger-striking student |
| Union elections | No elections since 2006, as reported | Promised within 15 days of constitution approval; no date fixed |
Impact
Short-term: Students will attend classes and take their second mid-term examinations online until at least November 8. Departments will notify exam schedules. The protest and the university's warnings to protesters continue.
Long-term: The outcome of the dispute will decide whether Jamia gets an elected students' union for the first time in about two decades, and how quickly the academic calendar returns to normal.
Who is affected: Students and teachers of Jamia Millia Islamia, especially those without reliable internet at home; the protesting students and the student on hunger strike; and the university administration.
Key Takeaway
Jamia Millia Islamia has extended online classes until November 8, 2026 and will hold its second mid-term exams online, as a protest since October 12 seeking the revival of the students' union continues without a fixed election date.
Questions and Answers
Till when will Jamia Millia Islamia hold online classes?
According to the university's office order reported on October 26-27, 2026, online classes are extended until November 8, 2026, through the Diwali holidays, after which the situation will be reviewed.
Will Jamia's mid-term exams be online?
Yes. The second mid-term examinations will be held online. Deans, heads and directors, with the Controller of Examinations, will decide the schedule and arrangements.
Why are Jamia students protesting?
Students are demanding the restoration of the students' union, which, according to reports, has not held elections since 2006. They want a definite timeline for union polls.
What should Jamia students do now?
Students should watch for notices from their department and the Controller of Examinations on the online exam schedule and rules, and check that they have a working device and internet connection before the exams.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
By Aditi Kulkarni, Education WriterCovers Education and more for Peepals Bharat. All stories by Aditi Kulkarni
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Aditi Kulkarni is a pen name of the Peepals Global Editorial Team, which researches, fact-checks and publishes every story. The portrait is an illustration.
