UGCNET Questions

Upward communication flows from lower levels of an organizational hierarchy to higher levels. When teachers collect and forward students’ feedback or issues to the principal, information moves from the operational level to the leadership level. This helps administrators understand ground realities and make informed decisions. Therefore, this example clearly represents upward communication within an educational institution.

Option A:
Option A, principal issuing new rules to all teachers, is a classic example of downward communication, where directives and policies flow from higher authority to subordinate staff. It is not upward communication.

Option B:
Option B involves teachers, who occupy a lower administrative position, sending information to the principal, who occupies a higher position. This direction from lower to higher level is the defining feature of upward communication, making the example appropriate for the concept.

Option C:
Option C, teachers sharing lesson plans among themselves, illustrates horizontal communication, which occurs between individuals at similar levels in the hierarchy rather than upward or downward.

Option D:
Option D, government broadcasting educational messages on television, is an example of mass communication directed to the public at large. It is not part of the internal upward communication structure of a single educational institution.

Formal communication follows officially recognized channels and is documented for record. A principal’s circular on letterhead is authoritative, written and directed to staff members in their official capacity. It flows from a higher position in the hierarchy to lower levels, making it downward as well as formal.

Option A:
Option A, grapevine communication, is informal and unofficial, arising through personal networks rather than documented channels, so it does not fit a signed circular on letterhead.

Option B:
Option B is correct because the message originates from institutional authority and moves to subordinates through an official medium, exemplifying formal downward communication.

Option C:
Option C, mass communication, applies to messages sent to large, undifferentiated public audiences outside the institution, often via mass media, which is not the case here.

Option D:
Option D, interpersonal communication between two friends, is typically dyadic and personal, not an institutional directive issued to all teachers.

Formal communication follows recognized organizational channels and carries official messages. A circular from the registrar is documented, authorized and directed to specific units within the university. It relates to rules, procedures or decisions and forms part of the formal communication system.

Option A:
Option A is informal because it is casual, unsupervised conversation in the canteen and not part of official documentation or decision-making.

Option B:
Option B correctly identifies a registrar’s circular as formal. It originates from an authorized office, uses official language and is addressed to departments through established channels.

Option C:
Option C is staff gossip, which is typically undocumented, unofficial and based on rumours. This is a clear example of informal communication, not formal.

Option D:
Option D describes a friendly, personal discussion between two teachers. Although work topics may be mentioned, the interaction is informal and not an official channel.