UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

An academic audit is a structured process where external or internal reviewers examine academic procedures and practices to assess their effectiveness and alignment with institutional goals. It focuses on how curricula are designed, how teaching is delivered and how assessment is conducted, aiming at continuous quality improvement. The stem describes such a systematic review, which is precisely an academic audit, so Option B is correct.

Option A:
Academic audit emphasises processes rather than outcomes alone, encouraging departments to reflect on their procedures and make evidence-based enhancements. It supports accountability and improvement in the Higher Education System, closely matching the description in the question.

Option B:
A timetable simply schedules classes and examinations and is not a review process. Therefore, Option A does not answer the stem.

Option C:
A hostel check relates to residential facilities and student living conditions, which are outside the scope of curriculum and teaching processes discussed here, making Option C inappropriate.

Option D:
Sports day is a co-curricular event and not a systematic review mechanism for academic processes. Thus, Option D is clearly incorrect.

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.