UGC Issues Alert on Fake Notice Claiming Exam Cancellations Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

The University Grants Commission (UGC) strongly denied a fake notice on May 7, 2025 that claimed all university exams across India had been cancelled due to a supposed "war-like situation." The fabricated notice, which surfaced on the internet on Wednesday, falsely instructed the students to immediately go back home, with concerns for their safety.

In an official social media post, the UGC clarified that the notice is entirely baseless and warned students and institutions not to fall for such misinformation. "This is a fake notice. The UGC has not issued any such directive. All examinations will continue as scheduled," the commission said, urging students to rely only on official updates posted on the UGC’s website and verified social media handles.

The false notice, titled “Exemption of All Examination and Advisory to Return Home Due to Ongoing War Situation,” claimed that exams at the graduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate levels had been cancelled with immediate effect. It also called on institutions to help students and staff return home safely.

The UGC has reminded the public that spreading false information is a criminal offence and requested one and all to remain vigilant.

The incident occurs against the background of increased tensions between India and Pakistan. Indian troops recently conducted targeted attacks on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) as part of Operation Sindoor, after the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan retaliated by breaching the Ceasefire Agreement by shelling with artillery in the Bhimber Gali region of Jammu and Kashmir, eliciting a rightful response from the Indian Army.

In spite of the situation on the ground with regard to security, the UGC has made sure that academic calendars are not affected and restated that any official communication would be made only through its official channels.