Autonomy and accountability balance – UGC NET Question

Statements B and C correctly express the relationship between autonomy and accountability in higher education. Statement B is true because academic autonomy functions within broad national policy frameworks and regulatory norms rather than outside them. Statement C is also correct since accountability requires transparency in core processes like admissions, examinations, finances and measurable outcomes. Statements A and D are false because autonomy does not eliminate the role of governments and regulators, and external quality assurance can coexist with internal autonomous decision-making.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it combines A and B as correct statements. Statement A wrongly implies that autonomy excludes any external accountability, which is inconsistent with public responsibility in higher education. Mixing a false statement with a true one makes the option unacceptable.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it pairs statements that acknowledge both the space for institutional decision-making and the need for transparency and regulation. It recognises that autonomy and accountability are complementary, not mutually exclusive. By excluding A and D, it discards extreme views that deny regulatory roles or external quality assurance.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it treats A and C as correct. While C is accurate, A wrongly suggests that external agencies have no accountability role, which contradicts standard governance frameworks. Therefore this combination cannot be chosen.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it groups B and D together. Statement D incorrectly portrays external quality assurance as incompatible with autonomy, whereas many autonomous institutions worldwide are subject to external accreditation. Including D undermines the balanced understanding provided by B.