Autonomy, accountability and funding – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B and D accurately present governance and funding reforms. Statement A is true because reforms aim to give institutions freedom while holding them responsible for results. Statement B is correct since transparent budgeting and audits are standard accountability tools. Statement D is also true as some policies tie portions of funding to performance indicators to encourage improvement. Statement C is false because autonomy is not the same as absence of regulation; external review remains necessary for public accountability. Thus, the correct combination is A, B and D only.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes A and B but omits D, thereby ignoring the role of performance-linked funding as a governance instrument in some reform models.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it selects B and D but leaves out A, failing to underline the central balancing act between autonomy and accountability that frames such reforms.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it combines A with C and D, thereby accepting C’s incorrect claim that autonomy removes external review, which undermines the notion of responsible autonomy.

Option D:
Option D is correct since it recognises the balance between autonomy and accountability, the importance of financial transparency and the use of funding incentives, while rejecting C’s extreme view of autonomy.