Jamia moves whole odd semester online: classes till Nov 24, exams in December
By TUF News Desk · Published 29 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Students at Jamia Millia Islamia will finish the odd semester without returning to classrooms. The university has extended online teaching to November 24 and moved the end-semester examinations online as well, in an order issued on October 28 that stretches the remote arrangement well past its earlier November 8 limit.
The order followed a meeting of deans, heads of departments, directors and other officials held that afternoon to assess conditions on campus. The university said the campus situation was not conducive to academic activity and that the decision was taken to protect the safety and security of students. Departments have been asked to run the online classes and examinations smoothly and to keep attendance records.
Revised calendar for the odd semester
Under the revised schedule, online teaching for the odd semester ends on November 24. Practical examinations, fieldwork assessments, project vivas and minor project examinations will be held online from November 25 to November 30. End-semester theory examinations will follow online from December 1 to December 24.
Winter vacation runs from December 25 to January 12, 2027, and even-semester classes are scheduled to begin on January 13, 2027. The order does not spell out the teaching mode for the even semester.
Classes at the university were first shifted online on October 24 as a precaution during the protest. An order issued two days later extended the arrangement to November 8 and moved second mid-term examinations online. The October 28 order replaces that shorter timeline with dates covering the rest of the semester.
What the protest is about
The protest began on October 12 with a hunger strike by students demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union and a clear timetable for its elections. The union was dissolved in 2006, and no election has been held since.
On Monday, the university announced that elections would be held within 15 days of the approval of the union’s constitution. It also revoked suspension and show-cause notices issued to students during the protest and set up a committee to look into the conduct of security staff. Protesting students said that offer did not settle their main demand, because the administration had not set a deadline for approving the constitution.
Students have since put forward their own dates. They want the union constitution drafted and approved by December 20, the election date announced within 15 days after that, and the whole process completed by February 5. They have rejected a verbal proposal from the administration, saying no written commitment was given and that talks were called off abruptly.
Reaction to the online order
The decision to keep the semester online has drawn a fresh round of criticism from students. The Student Subject Association of the Department of Sociology issued a memorandum rejecting the extension of online classes and remote examinations. It said the order amounted to an indefinite denial of campus access, since the university had not said when physical classes would resume, and argued that students had enrolled in a regular on-campus programme expecting classroom teaching, interaction with faculty and access to university facilities.
Protesters have also said Delhi Police have detained more than 70 students since October 12, a figure reported by The Hindu and cited in coverage of the protest. Two members of the National Students’ Union of India were detained during the latest round of protests, according to the same reports.
Frequently asked questions
Until when will Jamia Millia Islamia hold online classes?
Online teaching for the odd semester will continue until November 24, 2026, under the university’s October 28 order.
When are Jamia’s odd-semester examinations?
Practical, fieldwork, project viva and minor project examinations run online from November 25 to 30, and theory examinations run online from December 1 to 24.
When does Jamia’s even semester begin?
The order puts winter vacation from December 25, 2026, to January 12, 2027, and even-semester classes from January 13, 2027.
Why did Jamia move the semester online?
The university said the campus situation was not conducive to academic activity and cited the safety and security of students, amid a protest demanding the restoration of the students’ union.
Frequently asked questions
Until when will Jamia Millia Islamia hold online classes?
Online teaching for the odd semester will continue until November 24, 2026, under the university's October 28 order.
When are Jamia's odd-semester examinations?
Practical, fieldwork, project viva and minor project examinations run online from November 25 to 30, and theory examinations run online from December 1 to 24.
When does Jamia's even semester begin?
The order puts winter vacation from December 25, 2026, to January 12, 2027, and even-semester classes from January 13, 2027.
Why did Jamia move the semester online?
The university said the campus situation was not conducive to academic activity and cited the safety and security of students, amid a protest demanding the restoration of the students' union.
Sources: The Tribune, Deccan Herald, NDTV