Amid heightened tensions on the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) campus, the university on Wednesday extended online classes until November 24 and announced that all practical and theory examinations for odd-semester students would be conducted online, citing a situation that was "not conducive" to an academic environment.
The decision comes as students at the university have been staging a hunger strike since October 12, demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU) and the removal of the university's Chief Proctor over an alleged "crackdown" on protesters. The administration has alleged that protesting students and local residents vandalised university property, damaged CCTV infrastructure, and brought down Gate No. 4C on late Tuesday night.
Along with extending online classes, JMI announced that the winter vacation for the academic session 2026-27 would begin on December 25 and continue until January 12, 2027. The university is also considering closing its hostels within the next two days amid escalating tensions over students' demand for the restoration of campus union elections, which have been suspended since 2006, PTI reported.
JMI Extends Online Classes Until November 24
All classes were shifted to online mode on October 24 as a "precautionary measure" amid the ongoing student protests.
In an official statement, JMI said, "To assess the situation, a meeting of all Deans/Heads/Directors/Officials was held today at 4.30 pm in the FTK FT, and after detailed discussion it has been unanimously agreed that the situation of the University Campus is not conducive to an academic environment."
"Therefore, to ensure the safety and security of bonafide students of the University, the Competent Authority, JMI, has passed the following orders: The Online classes shall now be held till 24th November, 2026; Teaching (Odd Semester) through online mode shall end on 24th November, 2026; The End Semester Exam of all Practical, Field Work, Project Viva, Minor Project Viva etc., through online mode shall be conducted with effect from 25th November, 2026 to 30th November, 2026," the statement read.
"End Semester Exams of theory papers shall be conducted through online mode with effect from 1st December, 2026 to 24th December, 2026; The Winter Vacation for the academic Session 2026-27 shall be observed with effect from 25th December, 2026 to 12th January, 2027," the varsity said, adding that classes for the even semester would commence on January 13, 2027.
Furthermore, JMI directed all Deans, Heads, and Directors to ensure compliance with the orders and take the necessary steps to facilitate the smooth conduct of online classes, mid-term examinations, and end-semester examinations. They were also instructed to maintain students' attendance records and other relevant documentation regularly.
Why Is Jamia University Considering Closing Its Hostels?
Jamia Millia Islamia is considering closing its hostels within the next two days following allegations of widespread vandalism on campus and amid escalating tensions over students' demand for the restoration of union elections, which have been suspended since 2006, a university official said on Wednesday.
The university held meetings to discuss the proposed closure, the official said, adding that the administration was considering the move because physical classes, library services, and other campus activities had already been suspended or shifted online.
All classes were moved online on October 24. However, the university is yet to clarify the apparent discrepancy between the November 24 deadline announced in its latest order and the November 8 date mentioned by the official in connection with the review of online classes.
"Eighty per cent of the students in the protest who continue to support vandalism are hostellers," the official alleged. He said there was little practical reason to keep the hostels open when classes were being conducted online and teachers were not coming to campus.
The students' agitation and hunger strike demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU) entered its 17th day on Wednesday with Four students on an indefinite hunger strike over the issue.
The administration also alleged that a group of masked protesters had reached the boys' hostels in an attempt to mobilise additional support. It said the extent of the damage had raised serious concerns about the safety of students, faculty members, and non-teaching staff.