Jamia Millia Islamia to resume offline classes, exams from November 2 amid student protests

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) will resume offline classes and examinations for all undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programmes from November 2, 2026. This decision, issued by a fresh order from the university administration, reverses an earlier directive that had extended online classes until November 24, and had planned for practical and viva examinations for the odd semester to be conducted online.

The move follows an 18-day student agitation primarily focused on the demand for the revival of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union (JMISU) and the announcement of an election schedule. The latest notice from the Office of the Registrar directs all faculties and departments to restart in-person academic activities from Monday, November 2, with regular attendance now compulsory for students.

Resumption of Offline Academic Activities

The university’s latest order mandates that all classes will be conducted offline according to timetables issued by respective departments and faculties. Furthermore, all examinations, including mid-semester, end-semester, and other scheduled assessments, will take place in physical mode. Students are instructed to attend classes and appear for examinations as per schedules and directions from their departments.

Deans, heads of departments, directors of centres, and other concerned officials have been directed to ensure necessary arrangements for the smooth resumption of academic activities. This decision marks a full return to pre-pandemic academic operations, after the university had shifted to online classes following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Student Union Revival and Election Schedule

The decision to restore offline academic activities coincides with the conclusion of an 18-day student agitation. Students had been demanding the revival of the JMISU and the announcement of an election schedule, as student union elections at JMI have been suspended for nearly two decades. On October 28, 2026, the university administration set May 15, 2027, as the deadline for finalising the students’ union constitution.

Registrar Professor Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi stated that the university accepted all three demands raised by students. The administration agreed to withdraw show-cause notices and revoke disciplinary proceedings, rustication, suspension, and campus-ban orders linked to the protest period. The proposed union constitution will be drafted with participation from student representatives of every faculty, professors, and legal experts. This draft will then be reviewed by students and the university committee before circulation to stakeholders for comments. It will undergo legal scrutiny and be placed before the Academic Council, the Executive Council, and the Visitor’s nominee for approval. Student union elections will be held in accordance with the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines, either within six weeks of the commencement of the academic session or within 15 days of the final approval of the union constitution.

Previous Protests and Digital Divide Concerns

The university’s shift between online and offline modes has been a point of contention in the past. On February 17, 2022, hundreds of students gathered at gate no. 15 of Jamia Millia Islamia, demanding the university’s re-opening and resumption of offline classes. This protest, called by the Students Federation of India (SFI), JMI unit, highlighted concerns about the digital divide, with the NSS Report on Education (2017-18) indicating that only 24% of Indian households had internet facilities and 11% had any type of computer. Jamia PRO Ahmad Azeem had stated on February 17, 2022, that health concerns regarding Covid-19 were a major issue and that a large number of students and parents had requested online teaching to continue.

Conversely, a protest by postgraduate students against offline exams occurred on May 18, 2022, outside the proctor’s office, with a section of students boycotting their exams. JMI’s chief proctor, Waseem Ahmad Khan, stated that a February 20, 2022, meeting had decided exams would be held offline for courses where classes were conducted offline. A postgraduate student, Vivek Singh, expressed frustration, stating, “We have had classes in online mode and only for two months, the classes were held offline. How are students supposed to mug everything up and give exams online?”

Internet and Computer Access in Indian Households (2017-18)

Data from the NSS Report on Education (2017-18) indicates significant limitations in digital access across Indian households. Only 24% of households in India had internet facilities, while an even smaller proportion, 11%, possessed any type of computer, including desktops, laptops, or notebooks. In addition, smartphone ownership was limited, with only 24% of Indians owning such devices.

The report also highlighted disparities in electricity access, a crucial factor for digital engagement. Approximately 20% of Indian households received less than eight hours of electricity per day, while 47% had access to electricity for more than 12 hours daily. These figures were cited in a February 17, 2022, protest by the Students Federation of India (SFI), JMI unit, which raised concerns about the digital divide impacting students’ ability to participate in online classes.

Further reading

• Jamia Millia Islamia end-semester exams announced: online classes extended till November 24
• Jamia Millia Islamia odd-semester exams shifted to virtual mode amid protests
• Jamia Millia Islamia extends online classes, announces virtual exams and winter holiday dates
• DHS Erode recruitment 2026: apply offline for 78 DEO, Security Guard & other posts by 12 November

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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