UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

NEP 2020 advocates a holistic approach in which arts, humanities and sciences complement each other. Integrating arts with STEM (often called STEAM) helps students visualise concepts, think creatively and communicate ideas better. This combination is seen as essential for innovation.

Option A:
Removing arts in favour of STEM alone would narrow education and contradict NEP’s stress on holistic development.

Option B:
This option captures the policy’s encouragement of cross-disciplinary learning where arts interplay with scientific and mathematical thinking. It therefore reflects NEP accurately and is correct.

Option C:
Treating arts as mere exam coaching undermines their intrinsic and educational value. NEP emphasises arts for expression and understanding, not only for testing.

Option D:
Banning arts at higher grades goes against the idea that artistic engagement should continue across school years.

NEP 2020 positions arts (music, visual arts, theatre, dance, etc.) as core curricular areas that nurture creativity, cultural understanding and emotional expression. It clearly states that arts should be integrated into regular teaching–learning as part of holistic development, not treated as optional extras.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because NEP 2020 does not recommend removing arts to create time for “core” subjects; doing so would directly contradict its holistic education vision.

Option B:
Option B is correct as it reflects NEP’s emphasis on placing arts within the main curriculum to support creativity, expression and overall personality development.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because limiting arts to paid after-school coaching would restrict access, especially for disadvantaged learners, which is contrary to NEP’s inclusive approach.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since NEP advocates arts opportunities for all children, not only those in specialised institutions; restricting arts to a small group goes against equity and inclusion.