Academic workload norms – UGC NET Question

Workload norms define how many hours of teaching and related activities faculty members should perform per week, often differentiated by cadre and type of institution. They help in planning timetables, staffing needs and equitable distribution of duties. The stem refers exactly to the expected number of weekly hours on teaching and related duties, which is determined by workload norms. Hence, Option C is the correct answer.

Option A:
Workload norms ensure that faculty responsibilities are manageable and appropriately balanced with research and extension activities. They also provide a basis for calculating teacher–student ratios and sanctioning posts, fitting the context of the question.

Option B:
Curriculum outlines the content and structure of academic programmes, not the specific hours a teacher must work each week. Thus, Option A does not answer what the stem is asking about.

Option C:
Examination norms relate to how tests are conducted and evaluated and do not primarily determine faculty teaching hours. Hence, Option B is not appropriate here.

Option D:
Hostel norms concern residential facilities and student welfare, which are unrelated to academic workload expectations, making Option D incorrect.