The Novel Coronavirus, aka Covid-19, is spreading rapidly across India. The cases in India and in Telangana are steadily increasing. As of 31/5/2020, the cases in India are 1,90,000+ and in Telangana are 2650+. And to add to this, the lockdown has been discontinued, which will only add to the rapid spread of this Pandemic.

Amidst this unfortunate situation, the TSCHE has released a press note announcing the conduct of Final-year exams for all Degree students in Telangana from June 20 onwards. Although a series of measures such as reduction of duration of examinations and maintaining Social distancing norms at exam centers have been announced, the students that are going to attend these exams are still highly vulnerable to Covid-19. Students travel from various places and arrive at exam centers, many of whom have to depend on public transport - widely regarded as one of the possible hotspots for Covid-19 in the coming days. Many students spend atleast an hour in a single exam hall along with invigilators. They unknowingly will touch many objects and surfaces, and not everything can be perfectly sanitized. After the examination is completed, they return to their homes/hostels. 

This is more than enough to fuel the already rapid spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Not just students, but their families and neighbours and any other person coming in contact with them is also at a risk of contracting this highly contagious disease. Although the mortality rate of this Pandemic is low, if the rapid spread of this disease is fuelled through conduct of events requiring mass gatherings of people such as examinations, the high infection count that will result will put great strain on the already burdened medical infrastructure in our state and country. This will ultimately reflect in a high death count. 

Thus, we, the degree students of Telangana request the concerned authorities to cancel the final-year examinations in the state in the interest of Degree students and the society at large.