UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

NEP 2020 defines the foundational stage as five years of schooling, covering ages 3 to 8. This includes three years of pre-school or Anganwadi and Grades 1 and 2. Pedagogy is expected to be play-based, activity-based and discovery-oriented rather than formal textbook-driven.

Option A:
This option leaves out the pre-school years and implies a more formal, textbook-heavy approach than NEP recommends for the foundational stage.

Option B:
Grades 6–8 belong to the middle stage and combine subject orientation with experiential learning, not the foundational stage where early habits and basic literacy are emphasised.

Option C:
Grades 9–12 are part of the secondary stage, where preparation for board examinations becomes important; this is much later than the foundational years.

Option D:
This option correctly captures both the structural (three pre-school years plus Grades 1–2) and pedagogical (play-based and activity-based) aspects of the foundational stage as stated in the policy.