Indian Universities Rethink Assessment: Viva Voce & AI Policies Combat Generative AI in Assignments

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT into daily life has presented a significant challenge and opportunity for higher education institutions across India. As students increasingly leverage AI for assignments, universities are proactively redefining academic integrity and assessment methods, moving beyond traditional plagiarism checks to foster responsible AI use.

With the University Grants Commission (UGC) yet to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework, individual institutions are pioneering their own strategies. These include a resurgence of oral examinations (viva voce) and the implementation of detailed AI usage policies, reflecting a pragmatic acceptance that AI is not just the future, but the present.

The AI Imperative: Adapting to a New Academic Landscape

The consensus among educators is clear: AI is here to stay. Poonam Verma, Principal of Delhi University’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Business Studies, candidly admits, “AI is not the future, it's the present. Students will use it anyway whether you have a policy or not.” This perspective underscores the shift from outright prohibition to guided integration, acknowledging students' natural inclination to utilise available technology.

The challenge lies in ensuring that AI tools serve as aids to learning rather than substitutes for critical thinking and original work. This necessitates a fundamental rethink of teaching methodologies and assessment strategies, a process that many universities are now actively undertaking. For more insights into how technology is shaping education, explore our education news section.

Viva Voce: A Traditional Answer to Modern AI Challenges

In the absence of a central policy, several institutions are turning to a time-tested assessment method: the viva voce. This oral examination component is being added alongside written assignments and projects to effectively gauge students' genuine understanding and learning outcomes.

• NLSIU Bengaluru and Delhi University: Teachers at premier institutions like the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bengaluru and colleges under Delhi University have begun to pair written submissions with mandatory conversations. Sony Pellissery, a professor at NLSIU, explains this ensures students can articulate and defend what they have written, confirming their comprehension.
• Aligarh Muslim University (AMU): Interestingly, AMU had already incorporated viva voce into its project requirements long before the widespread adoption of AI chatbots. Keshav Kumar, a third-year BA LLB student at AMU, notes that this existing system now coincidentally serves as an effective check against AI-generated content.

This approach helps verify the originality of thought and depth of understanding, making it harder for students to submit purely AI-generated work without genuine engagement.

Shiv Nadar University's Five-Step AI Usage Policy

Shiv Nadar University has taken a structured approach by introducing a comprehensive five-step AI usage policy for both students and teachers. Unveiled last April, this policy aims to balance innovation with academic integrity, providing clear guidelines on how and when AI tools can be employed. Partha Chatterjee, Dean of Academics at Shiv Nadar University, describes it as a guide that "enables people and empowers people to use it without worrying."

The policy mandates disclosure of AI usage and defines varying levels of permissibility:

• Level 1: Highly Restrictive: Students are largely prohibited from using AI, with only limited scope for basic editing.
• Level 2: Idea Generation & Structuring: Permits AI for brainstorming and outlining ideas, but not for generating core arguments or content.
• Level 3: Editing & Refinement: Allows AI for polishing and improving drafts. Students are often required to submit original drafts, final outputs, and even the prompts used for transparency.
• Level 4: Problem-Solving & Task Completion: AI can assist in solving problems or completing tasks, provided students fully understand the process and outcomes.
• Level 5: Responsible Autonomy: The most open level, enabling unrestricted AI use as a companion tool, with the strict condition that all interactions with AI are thoroughly documented.

This tiered approach allows faculty members to assign different levels of AI integration based on course objectives and assessment types, fostering a nuanced understanding of AI's role in academic work.

Teacher Adaptation and the Need for Training

The shift to an AI-integrated academic environment is not without its challenges, particularly for educators. Partha Chatterjee acknowledges that "change is not easy" and requires teachers to rethink long-established teaching methods. While some teachers initially favoured a total ban on AI, ongoing dialogues and workshops are helping to bridge this gap.

Universities are actively conducting workshops for both students and faculty to familiarise them with efficient AI use and its ethical implications. However, adaptation can be slow, as noted by AMU student Keshav Kumar, who observes that while teachers are being trained, the process isn't always smooth or quick. This highlights a broader need for continuous professional development in response to evolving education trends.

Student Perspectives: Beyond Bans to Skill Development

Students themselves offer valuable insights into navigating AI in academia. Aadya Singh, an HNLU student, argues against total bans, citing the unreliability of many AI detection tools, which can sometimes flag original work as AI-generated. Instead, she advocates for training in "prompt writing" – teaching students how to effectively interact with AI to re-evaluate sources and generate quality content responsibly.

Keshav Kumar echoes the sentiment for originality, suggesting that while AI can serve as a guide, the focus should remain on students' unique ideas. He proposes a potential cap, perhaps 25-30%, on AI tool usage to preserve academic sanctity. This aligns with the principles of responsible AI use, similar to how AI SEO tools are designed to enhance, not replace, human creativity in content creation.

The Governance Gap and Future Outlook

The prevailing sentiment among educators is the urgent need for a formal governance framework from central bodies like the UGC. Poonam Verma points out the significant "lack of a governance policy" amidst the current issues related to rampant AI usage in classrooms.

In the interim, universities like Shiv Nadar are focusing on education over punitive measures. They have established an academic integrity board that prioritises informing students about responsible AI use rather than solely imposing penalties. Furthermore, Shiv Nadar has launched an "AI companion" programme, integrating the study of AI use and ethics, including intellectual property questions, into the curriculum. This initiative aims to make students fluent in AI tools while ensuring honesty and ethical engagement, much like how an SEO agent is trained to use AI for content generation responsibly.

FAQ

Q1: How are Indian universities currently addressing AI usage in student assignments?

A1: Universities are implementing strategies such as mandatory viva voce (oral examinations) alongside written assignments and introducing specific AI usage policies, like Shiv Nadar University's five-step framework.

Q2: Which universities have been mentioned as adopting these new assessment methods?

A2: NLSIU Bengaluru, Delhi University (Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Business Studies), Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) Raipur, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and Shiv Nadar University are among those mentioned.

Q3: What is Shiv Nadar University's five-step AI usage policy?

A3: It's a tiered policy ranging from highly restrictive AI use (Level 1) to responsible autonomy with full disclosure (Level 5), guiding students and faculty on appropriate AI integration while balancing innovation and academic integrity.

Q4: Is there a central regulatory framework for AI use in Indian higher education?

A4: Currently, there is no formal governance framework from bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC). Universities are developing their own policies and strategies while awaiting a unified central directive.

Conclusion

The landscape of academic assessment in India is undergoing a significant transformation driven by the rise of generative AI. Universities are demonstrating remarkable adaptability by blending traditional methods like viva voce with innovative AI usage policies. This proactive approach, while varied across institutions, reflects a shared commitment to upholding academic integrity while preparing students for a future where AI proficiency is increasingly vital. As the education sector continues to evolve, staying informed about official university guidelines and national policies will be crucial for both students and educators.