UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Diagonal communication cuts across both functional departments and hierarchical levels. A lab assistant contacts the registrar,who belongs to a different administrative unit and higher level. This bypasses the usual vertical chain. The stem therefore exemplifies diagonal communication.

Option A:
Upward communication would follow the chain from lab assistant to immediate supervisor and then upward,rather than directly to the registrar.

Option B:
Diagonal communication is cross-level and cross-department contact that bypasses usual hierarchy,so lab assistant → registrar fits diagonal.

Option C:
Horizontal communication would involve peers at the same level and unit.

Option D:
External communication refers to contacts with people outside the organisation,such as suppliers,which is not the case here.

Diagonal communication cuts across both functional units and hierarchical levels. A registrar belongs to the administrative staff,while students are part of academic programmes at a different level. When the registrar emails students directly without going through teachers or heads,the communication is diagonal.

Option A:
Upward communication would be from students to registrar,not the other way.

Option B:
Mass communication usually involves large anonymous publics through mass media rather than defined institutional contacts.

Option C:
Grapevine communication is informal and unofficial,whereas an official email from the registrar is formal.

Option D:
Diagonal communication connects different parts of the organisation efficiently,making option D correct.

Diagonal communication takes place when messages cross both functional departments and hierarchical levels. A librarian belongs to the library section,while the finance officer is in another administrative unit. Direct communication between them bypasses normal vertical channels,which is typical of diagonal communication.

Option A:
Upward communication would involve the librarian writing to their immediate superior rather than to another department.

Option B:
Horizontal communication would occur between colleagues of the same unit and level,such as librarians coordinating with each other.

Option C:
Thus diagonal communication correctly describes this cross unit, cross level internal contact.

Option D:
External communication refers to contacts with people outside the university,such as vendors,not internal finance officers.

Diagonal communication occurs when messages move across both functional units and hierarchical levels. A professor belongs to an academic unit,while technical support belongs to another service unit. Communicating directly across these units bypassing normal channels is diagonal.

Option A:
Upward communication would be from professor to higher authority in the same line,such as the dean.

Option B:
Horizontal communication occurs among colleagues in the same unit and level,not across units.

Option C:
Because the communication crosses departmental boundaries and levels,diagonal is the best description.

Option D:
Mass communication is aimed at large anonymous audiences through media.

Diagonal communication cuts across both functional departments and vertical levels in an organisation. A registrar normally works in administration,while students belong to academic units. When the registrar emails students directly,bypassing heads,this communication is diagonal. Hence,the stem describes diagonal communication.

Option A:
Grapevine is an informal network based on personal contacts and rumours,not necessarily official emails from administrators.

Option B:
Horizontal communication would be between people at the same level,such as between two registrars or between two student leaders.

Option C:
Upward communication flows from lower to higher levels,such as students writing to the registrar,not the other way round.

Option D:
Diagonal communication can speed up information flow by linking different parts of the organisation,making option D the correct answer.

Statements A, B, C and D are correct, whereas E is incorrect. A is true because downward communication typically carries directives and policy information. B is true since upward channels allow employees to send feedback and complaints. C is true as horizontal communication links units at the same level. D is true because diagonal communication cuts across both departmental and hierarchical boundaries. E is false because effective organisations rely on multi-directional communication, not just downward flow. Thus, A, B, C and D only is the correct combination.

Option A:
Option A lists A and B only and overlooks C and D, ignoring the roles of horizontal and diagonal communication in coordination across the organisation. As the question explicitly refers to different directions, A and B only is incomplete.

Option B:
Option B adds C to A and B, but still omits D, failing to mention diagonal flows that connect different levels and departments. Consequently, A, B and C only does not represent the full set of correct statements.

Option C:
Option C assembles A, B, C and D, correctly summarising downward, upward, horizontal and diagonal communication, and excludes E, which wrongly privileges only downward communication. Because it includes all and only true statements, this option is correct.

Option D:
Option D groups B, C and E, but E is incorrect as it denies the necessity of multi-directional communication for effectiveness. Including E in a “correct” set makes B, C and E only invalid.