UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The HDI combines life expectancy,education and standard of living to capture a broader view of development than income alone. Standard of living is represented through per capita income adjusted for purchasing power. The stem clearly points to the third dimension alongside health and education. Therefore “standard of living” correctly completes the description of HDI. It is the recognised third pillar in UNDP methodology.

Option A:
Standard of living covers access to material resources and economic command over goods and services. In HDI it is captured through per capita GNI in PPP terms. Because the question asks for the third dimension along with health and education,this option fits exactly.

Option B:
Environmental quality is an important aspect of well being but it is not directly included in the basic HDI formula. Environmental indicators appear in other indices and reports,so this option does not match the specific definition in the stem.

Option C:
Political stability affects development but is not part of the HDI components. It is usually handled in governance indicators rather than the standard HDI framework,so it is not the right completion here.

Option D:
Technological progress supports human development but is again not a direct HDI component. It is reflected indirectly through income and education levels,so it does not answer the stem accurately.

Cultural transmission refers to the process by which media and other institutions pass on norms,values and traditions from one generation to the next. Children learn many behaviours and expectations from TV programmes. The stem clearly refers to this learning of social norms,so cultural transmission is the correct answer.

Option A:
Cultural transmission (media socialisation) is about passing norms,values and traditions to audiences,especially younger generations.

Option B:
Gatekeeping is the selection and filtering of information before publication,not value teaching.

Option C:
Surveillance is about informing people of events,not necessarily socialising them.

Option D:
Economic function concerns advertising and market activity,not the teaching of traditions.

The MPI identifies deprivations in three broad areas: health,education and living standards. Living standards include indicators like electricity,sanitation,housing,cooking fuel and assets. The stem asks for the third dimension alongside health and education,which is precisely living standards. Therefore Option B is the correct answer.

Option A:
Environmental risk affects poverty but it is not one of the three core MPI dimensions.

Option B:
Living standards is the third MPI dimension alongside health and education and matches the stem exactly.

Option C:
Political voice is important but not a standard MPI dimension in the core structure.

Option D:
Technology access can matter but is not used as the main third MPI dimension in the standard framework.