Academic audits and benchmarking – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B and C correctly explain academic audits and benchmarking. A is true because audits review curricular delivery, assessment and learning outcomes. B is correct since benchmarking compares institutional performance with that of peers or established standards. C is true as both processes aim to enhance quality through reflection and improvement. Statement D is false; external peer review is widely accepted as compatible with autonomy when institutions voluntarily participate. Therefore, A, B and C only form the correct combination.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it leaves out C, which emphasises the continuous improvement purpose of audits and benchmarking. Without C, the rationale for these processes is not fully conveyed.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it encapsulates the nature, method and purpose of these quality processes and rejects D, which misrepresents peer involvement as a threat to autonomy. It aligns with accepted quality assurance practice.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it includes only B and C and excludes A, which defines the content focus of academic audits on teaching and outcomes. Excluding A weakens the conceptual clarity.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it treats all four statements as correct and therefore endorses D’s claim that peer involvement violates autonomy. In reality, such reviews are tools chosen by autonomous institutions to improve themselves.