Student counselling and mentoring – UGC NET Question

Statements A and B correctly describe the purpose and structure of counselling and mentoring. Statement A is true because such services provide support for academic difficulties, emotional issues and career planning. Statement B is true as well, reflecting common mentoring arrangements in which experienced faculty or peers guide students. Statement C is false because counselling should be accessible to all students, especially those in need, not only to high achievers. Statement D is also false because confidentiality is a core principle of ethical counselling practice. Thus, A and B only form the correct combination.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it recognises the supportive role of counselling and mentoring but does not mention the structured pairing mechanisms described in B, which are central to many mentoring programmes.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it includes A and B and excludes C and D, thereby acknowledging both the broad support functions and the mentoring structures while rejecting exclusivist and unethical views on access and confidentiality.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it adds C to A and B, wrongly suggesting that restricting counselling to high performers is acceptable, which contradicts inclusive support principles.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it ignores A and includes C, thereby failing to describe the functions of counselling and accepting a discriminatory access rule that undermines student welfare.