Academic counselling interactions – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B and D are correct, whereas C is incorrect. A is true because empathy allows the counsellor to understand the student’s feelings and fosters trust. B is true since maintaining confidentiality is central to ethical counselling practice. D is true as open-ended questions invite elaboration and help students articulate their concerns in depth. C is false because frequent interruptions tend to block expression and may make the student feel unheard or controlled.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it selects only A and B as correct and leaves out D, which is also a key counselling skill. By omitting D, the answer underestimates the importance of questioning techniques in effective counselling. Therefore A and B only is incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it combines A, B and D, recognising empathy, confidentiality and open-ended questioning as central to productive academic counselling. It appropriately excludes C, which recommends a counterproductive behaviour. Thus this option accurately captures the set of correct statements.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it groups B and D only and omits A, overlooking the relational power of empathy in building trust. Since A is also correct, B and D only does not fully represent effective interpersonal communication in counselling.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it treats all four statements as correct, including C. C contradicts counselling principles by promoting interruptions as a way to control the conversation. Mixing this with correct statements makes the combination invalid.