Massification of higher education – UGC NET Question

Massification refers to the transition of higher education systems from serving a small elite to enrolling a substantial proportion of the youth population. It involves dramatic increases in enrolment, diversification of institutions and broadening of access to new social groups. The stem describes rapid expansion that brings large sections of the population, including first-generation learners, into higher education, which is the essence of massification. Therefore, Option A correctly completes the statement.

Option A:
Massification is often associated with challenges of quality, funding and governance, but it also represents progress toward democratisation of education. It reflects a shift from elite systems to mass or universal systems, a key theme in higher education studies. These features align perfectly with the description given in the question.

Option B:
Elitisation would mean concentrating opportunities in the hands of a small privileged group, which is the opposite of the inclusive expansion described. Hence, this option does not fit the scenario.

Option C:
Feminisation refers to increasing participation of women in higher education or professions and may occur within either elite or mass systems. While important, it does not cover overall enrolment expansion to all social groups, so this option is not appropriate.

Option D:
Globalisation relates to cross-border flows of students, staff and programmes and the internationalisation of curricula. It does not primarily describe domestic expansion of enrolment to broader sections of society, so this option is not the best match.