UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

NEP 2020 uses the phrase “light but tight” to convey that while regulations should be few and non-intrusive (“light”), they must be strictly enforced where they exist (“tight”). The missing word in the stem must therefore be “light,” which captures the idea of reduced bureaucratic burden combined with strong enforcement on core quality norms.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because “heavy” regulation implies dense, detailed control and frequent interference in institutional functioning, which is exactly what NEP 2020 wants to avoid.

Option B:
Option B is correct as “light” reflects simplified, limited regulation that still insists on compliance with key standards, matching the policy’s own wording.

Option C:
Option C is wrong since “rigid” emphasises inflexibility and excessive control, not the balanced approach of fewer but well-enforced rules.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because “weak” regulation would suggest poor enforcement and diluted standards, contradicting the “tight” part of the phrase.

Statements A, B and D accurately present governance and funding reforms. Statement A is true because reforms aim to give institutions freedom while holding them responsible for results. Statement B is correct since transparent budgeting and audits are standard accountability tools. Statement D is also true as some policies tie portions of funding to performance indicators to encourage improvement. Statement C is false because autonomy is not the same as absence of regulation; external review remains necessary for public accountability. Thus, the correct combination is A, B and D only.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes A and B but omits D, thereby ignoring the role of performance-linked funding as a governance instrument in some reform models.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it selects B and D but leaves out A, failing to underline the central balancing act between autonomy and accountability that frames such reforms.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it combines A with C and D, thereby accepting C’s incorrect claim that autonomy removes external review, which undermines the notion of responsible autonomy.

Option D:
Option D is correct since it recognises the balance between autonomy and accountability, the importance of financial transparency and the use of funding incentives, while rejecting C’s extreme view of autonomy.

Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan is a flagship centrally sponsored scheme focused on state universities and colleges. It provides strategic funding linked to reforms in governance, academic quality and equity of access. The stem describes a scheme designed to improve access, equity and quality in state higher education institutions through funding support, which matches RUSA exactly. Hence, Option A is correct.

Option A:
RUSA channels funds based on performance indicators and state higher education plans, encouraging systematic planning and accountability. It covers infrastructural development, faculty recruitment, research support and other quality-enhancing activities. These features clearly reflect the purpose described in the question.

Option B:
The National Education Policy is a policy document that sets broad directions for education reforms but is not itself a financing scheme. It may influence schemes, yet it is not the specific funding programme referred to in the stem, so this option is not appropriate.

Option C:
The National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning focuses on creating online course content and recordings, especially in technical education. While it contributes to quality, it is not centred on funding state universities in the comprehensive way RUSA is.

Option D:
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme operates primarily in the school education sector to improve nutrition and enrolment. It has no direct relevance to funding state higher education institutions, so this option is incorrect.

The expression “steering at a distance” captures a style of governance where governments do not micromanage universities but shape their behaviour indirectly through funding models, targets and performance indicators. The stem describes this mechanism, so the missing word is “distance.”

Option A:
Option A is correct because “distance” highlights the arm’s-length nature of control: the state steps back from daily decisions yet continues to steer the sector through rules and incentives.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since “centre” does not form a recognised phrase in this context and fails to convey the idea of indirect, arm’s-length control.

Option C:
Option C is wrong because “campus” refers to the physical site of the university, not to a governance mode used by the state.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as “ceremony” has no connection to performance funding or indicator-based steering and is not used in governance terminology for this model.

The phrase “steering at a distance” captures a governance style in which governments step back from day-to-day control yet still shape institutional behaviour through indirect tools such as funding rules and performance metrics. The stem describes this arrangement, so the missing word is “distance.”

Option A:
Option A is correct because “distance” emphasises arm’s-length control: the state remains involved but does not micromanage universities.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as “centre” would imply centralised direct control, which this model explicitly seeks to replace.

Option C:
Option C is wrong since “campus” refers to the physical site of the institution, not to a governance technique used by the state.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because “ritual” suggests formal ceremony and has no recognised meaning in this context of performance-based steering.

The phrase “steering at a distance” captures a situation in which governments no longer micromanage universities but use indirect tools. Funding formulas, audits and performance metrics are used to nudge institutions towards policy goals. The stem describes this exact pattern of indirect influence. Hence, “distance” correctly completes the expression.

Option A:
Distance indicates that the steering is done from afar through frameworks and indicators rather than direct orders. This reflects contemporary governance reforms in many higher education systems, confirming that this option fits.

Option B:
Centre would imply centralised direct control rather than an arm’s-length relationship. That contradicts the description in the question, so this option is not correct.

Option C:
Campus is simply the physical site of the institution and has no established meaning in this governance phrase. Therefore, this option does not suit the stem.

Option D:
Ceremony refers to formal events and rituals, which are unrelated to the mechanisms of funding formulas and performance management. Thus, this option is clearly incorrect.

The phrase “steering at a distance” captures a governance style in which the state no longer micromanages universities but influences them indirectly through instruments like funding formulas, performance metrics and audits. The stem describes exactly this shift from direct control to indirect influence. Therefore, the correct completion of the expression is “distance,” making Option A the right answer.

Option A:
Option A is correct because the governance model described is an arms-length (indirect) steering mechanism—hence “at a distance.”

Option B:
Steering at the centre would suggest centralised direct control, which is the opposite of an arms-length approach. Therefore, Option B is incorrect.

Option C:
“Steering at the campus” has no recognised meaning in higher education governance literature and does not capture indirect control via metrics and funding. Thus, Option C is incorrect.

Option D:
Ceremonies are symbolic events and are not instruments of policy steering through performance-based funding or audits. Therefore, Option D is incorrect.

Statements A, B and D accurately capture autonomy and governance reforms for colleges. A is true because academic autonomy allows colleges to tailor curricula and evaluations within regulatory frameworks. B is correct since autonomy is intended to foster innovation suited to local and regional needs. D is also true as NEP 2020 explicitly proposes graded autonomy and the evolution of colleges into degree-granting institutions. Statement C is false because autonomous colleges remain subject to accreditation and regulatory oversight. Thus, A, B and D only form the correct combination.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it gathers all the true statements about the goals and policy direction of college autonomy and excludes C, which wrongly suggests complete regulatory exemption. It reflects both flexibility and accountability.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it lists only A and B and omits D, thereby ignoring the explicit policy push in NEP 2020 towards graded autonomy. Without D, the policy context is incomplete.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it combines B and D only and leaves out A, which explains how academic autonomy operates in practice through curriculum and evaluation design.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it treats all four statements as correct, thereby accepting C’s claim that autonomy removes accreditation and regulatory review. This contradicts the principle of autonomous yet accountable institutions.