UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Academic corruption refers to unethical and illegal practices in education, including bribery for admissions, manipulation of marks and awarding degrees without meeting academic standards. These actions undermine the integrity of higher education systems. The stem lists precisely such irregularities, so “corruption” is the correct term to describe them, making Option B appropriate.

Option A:
Corruption in higher education erodes public trust, damages the reputation of institutions and disadvantages honest students and staff. It is a serious governance challenge highlighted in discussions of the Higher Education System, aligning with the context of the question.

Option B:
Excellence refers to high quality and ethical behaviour, which is the opposite of what is being described. Hence, Option A is clearly incorrect.

Option C:
Innovation involves creative improvements or new practices, not the unethical shortcuts listed in the stem, so Option C is not suitable.

Option D:
Service suggests positive contribution to students and society, whereas the stem describes harmful practices, making Option D inappropriate.