From correspondents in Delhi, India, 08:02 PM IST

In an attempt to encourage student-friendly examinations, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India's largest distance learning institute, Saturday announced that students of more courses would be allowed to pick the dates for their tests.

Under IGNOU's 'On-Demand Exam' scheme, students who have completed the minimum required study hours and submitted all their assignments can choose their date of examination according to their convenience and level of preparation.

'They won't have to wait for six months for the term-end examinations. We have also kept the fees for this examination at par with the term-end examination,' IGNOU said in a statement.

'The on-demand scheme is expected to improve results and stop malpractices. This is because registration, paper generation and result preparation for the scheme is computerised and the examination is also carried out under camera surveillance.'

At IGNOU, the on-demand facility was previously available only to students of some courses like the Bachelor Preparatory Programme, Certificate in Guidance, Certificate in Teaching of English and Certificate in Organic Farming. This will now be extended to many more courses.

The scheme would benefit those who failed or could not appear for an exam, as well as those students who did not find time to appear in all the courses of a programme during the term-end examination, the university said.

Students can register at IGNOU regional centres, like in Delhi and Jaipur, to avail of the scheme. Results would be declared two weeks after students take the exam.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)