In Karnataka, the Higher Education Department has decided to promote all intermediate semester students pursuing degree and post-graduation courses including engineering and diploma courses for the academic year 2019-20 due to prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. Only final semester exams will be conducted before the end of September this year, as per UGC guidelines.<br />'' <br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Higher Education Dr. Ashwath Narayan informed today that the Governor has already given his assent to this decision, which he said, is taken after consulting educationists and University Vice Chancellors. The students at the intermediate semester will be promoted based on a comprehensive evaluation scheme with internal assessment marks and previous year's marks.</span><br />