UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

NEP 2020 proposes HECI to simplify and rationalise the regulatory architecture in higher education. It will house four verticals dealing with regulation, accreditation, funding and standards. This reduces overlapping roles of existing bodies like UGC and AICTE. Professional fields like medical and legal education have separate regulators.

Option A:
This option summarises the key idea of HECI as a light but tight umbrella body for higher education governance.

Option B:
School education remains under different arrangements and is not the primary mandate of HECI.

Option C:
NEP does not propose a single mega university; instead, it aims for many quality multidisciplinary HEIs.

Option D:
Regulating teacher salaries in schools is outside HECI’s higher education focus.

A quality culture exists when concern for quality permeates all activities of an institution and is not limited to formal audits or external inspections. Staff at all levels take responsibility for improving processes and outcomes, and quality assurance mechanisms become routine. The stem describes internalised quality assurance and continuous improvement as everyday practice, which is the essence of a quality culture. Therefore, Option D is the correct completion.

Option A:
Quality culture goes beyond compliance to foster shared values, attitudes and behaviours oriented toward excellence. It is sustained through leadership commitment, staff development and effective internal communication. These features align perfectly with the description provided in the question.

Option B:
A fee waiver refers to financial concessions given to students and has no direct relation to institutional quality assurance practices. It cannot describe the systemic, cultural aspect highlighted in the stem.

Option C:
A disciplinary system concerns handling misconduct and enforcing rules, which is a narrow aspect of governance. It does not encompass the broad orientation toward continual improvement in teaching, learning and administration.

Option D:
A regulatory regime usually refers to external laws and rules imposed by authorities. While regulations can trigger quality initiatives, the question emphasises internalisation and everyday practice, which are better captured by the idea of quality culture.