UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B and D are correct because they reflect how population policies interact with development and social change. Many policies target fertility reduction in high-growth situations and recognise that women’s education and empowerment are crucial for voluntary fertility decline. Integrating population variables into broader development strategies is important for achieving sustainable development. Statement C is incorrect since population policies are closely linked with health, education and other social sector programmes. Thus, the combination A, B and D only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it limits the correct statements to A and B and omits D. While A and B are indeed correct, ignoring the role of integrating population concerns into development planning fails to capture an essential dimension of sustainable population policy. The omission makes the option incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it adds statement C, which claims that population policies are unrelated to health and education. This is factually wrong, as many policies explicitly focus on maternal and child health, family planning services and educational interventions. Including a false statement invalidates the option.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it groups B, C and D and in doing so treats C as correct while excluding A. This combination ignores the role of explicit fertility-reduction measures and misrepresents the close linkage between population policy and social sector programmes. Hence, it cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it simultaneously recognises targeted fertility policies, the significance of women’s empowerment and the integration of population issues into development strategies. By excluding C, it avoids the error of severing the connection between population policy and health and education initiatives.

Statements A and B correctly present the idea that a large working-age population can be an opportunity for growth only when accompanied by investments in human capital. Statement C is wrong because without conducive policies, institutions and jobs, a youth bulge can even increase unemployment and social tensions. Statement D is also false since labour market conditions and governance strongly influence whether demographic dividend is realised. Therefore, the combination that includes A and B only, and excludes C and D, is the correct answer.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it selects only A as correct and ignores statement B, which is also true. While A describes the age-structure change, B adds the crucial condition of investments in education, health and skills needed to convert potential into actual growth. By omitting B, the option presents an incomplete view of demographic dividend.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it identifies exactly the two true statements, A and B, and excludes C and D which misrepresent the automatic and institution-independent nature of demographic dividend. It recognises that both a favourable age structure and supportive policies are needed. Thus, it matches the conceptual understanding required for this topic.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it includes C along with A and B. Although A and B are true, C falsely claims that demographic dividend automatically raises growth without policy support and institutional quality. Including this wrong statement makes the whole combination unacceptable.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it groups B, C and D. Here B is true but C and D are false; one wrongly asserts automatic growth and the other denies the role of labour markets and governance. A valid combination cannot contain these incorrect statements.