5.4. External Moderator ( = External Examiner)

An external experienced expert /retired academic /someone with professional expertise, experience and competence in assessment-related matters          and in a related (broader) discipline shall be appointed as the External Moderator (EM). External Moderator shall play a significant role in the                moderation of setting and marking to ensure the quality of academic standards are uniformly applied across academic years, semesters & courses in       the assessment process and fairness and educational standards are ensured of grades and qualifications awarded.

Duties and Responsibilities of the External Moderator (EM):

A. EM shall serve as a mandatory member in the Final Moderation Board in Setting (Final Scrutiny Board) and Final Results Moderation Board (Final Results Board) in the assessment process.

B. EM shall provide the consent to the final examination papers considering the Assessment Blueprint and relevance to the Programme Learning

   Outcomes/Graduate Profile of the study programme.

C. EM shall ensure that difficultness of examination in one course/module is comparable to other courses in a semester, and the examinations in previous years.

D. EM shall not set or mark papers or award grades to individual candidates.

E. If the EM considers that the marks /grades allocated are not justified, or there is a dispute between the First & the Second Examiners, the EM shall recommend that,

 (i) all scripts to be double marked

(ii) scripts be remarked by any one of the examiners

(iii) adjustments to the marking scheme of the specific question are made

(iv) adjustments to the marks/grades be done in a rational manner, and

(v) steps be taken to avoid similar instances in future examinations.

F. EM shall have the right to inspect any step or material of assessments under his/her preview in the assigned semester.

G. At the end of the examination process, the EM shall certify the following with his/her signature.

(i) Examination procedures have been fairly and adequately implemented, and decisions have been made after due deliberations.

(ii) Standards of awards and students’ performances are comparable to those in equivalent HEIs (within the approved PLOs).

H. The EM shall be consulted in case of any investigation into any examination malpractice or misconduct by a candidate, an examiner, the supervisor or an invigilator.

I. The EM shall submit a confidential report to the Dean in the prescribed format (Annexure 8.21) within two weeks from the release of results. If any, the recommendations and concerns shall be addressed by the Dean through respective standing committees, individuals, or the Faculty Board.

J. In case if the EM does not endorse the examination procedure carried out or the decisions of the Board of Examiners, the matter shall be referred to the Senate through the Faculty Board for a final decision.

K. The EM shall receive a payment as prescribed by the relevant UGC and University internal circulars.