UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The concept of Mode 2 knowledge refers to research that is produced in the context of application, across disciplinary boundaries, and often in collaboration with non-academic actors. It contrasts with Mode 1, which is disciplinary and primarily academic. The stem describes characteristics such as transdisciplinarity and application orientation, which align with Mode 2 knowledge. Hence, Option C is the correct answer.

Option A:
Mode 0 is not a standard term in this framework and has no established meaning in the Mode 1/Mode 2 literature. Therefore, Option A is incorrect.

Option B:
Mode 1 refers to traditional, disciplinary, university-centred knowledge production, not the socially distributed and application-focused model described. Thus, Option B is incorrect.

Option C:
Option C is correct because “Mode 2” specifically denotes transdisciplinary, application-oriented, socially distributed knowledge production.

Option D:
Mode 4 is not a conventional label in this framework; the widely used distinction is between Mode 1 and Mode 2. Hence, Option D is incorrect.

Institutions with major investments in laboratories, research staff, doctoral programmes and publications are commonly called research-intensive universities. The stem highlights exactly these features, so “research-intensive” is the appropriate description.

Option A:
Option A is correct because research-intensive universities treat research and doctoral training as central missions, often attracting substantial grant funding and producing significant scholarly output.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as “purely teaching” institutions focus mainly on instruction and have limited research activity, which contradicts the emphasis described.

Option C:
Option C is wrong since “distance” refers to mode of delivery, not to the level of research intensity.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because “remedial” education focuses on helping learners overcome basic difficulties and has no inherent connection to high-end research.

Mode 2 knowledge refers to research conducted in the context of application, involving multiple disciplines and various social actors. It emphasises problem solving and practical relevance beyond traditional academic boundaries. The stem lists these characteristics, so the correct number is “2.”

Option A:
Mode 0 is not a recognised category in discussions of knowledge production and has no established meaning. Therefore, this option cannot complete the term.

Option B:
Mode 1 denotes traditional disciplinary, curiosity-driven research carried out mainly within universities. It does not highlight the transdisciplinary and socially distributed nature mentioned in the question, making this option unsuitable.

Option C:
Mode 2 captures the shift towards context-driven, application-oriented and collaborative knowledge production outlined in the stem, confirming that this option is correct.

Option D:
Mode 4 is not part of the classic Mode 1–Mode 2 typology and does not refer to the described pattern of research. Hence, this option is incorrect.

Universities with a strong emphasis on postgraduate and doctoral programmes, high publication output and major research projects are typically labelled research-intensive universities. The stem describes exactly this profile, so “research-intensive” is the correct term.

Option A:
Option A is correct because research-intensive institutions devote substantial resources to laboratories, research funding, doctoral supervision and scholarly publications, making research a central mission alongside teaching.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as “teaching-only” institutions focus mainly on instruction and usually have limited research activity, which does not match the description in the question.

Option C:
Option C is wrong because “distance-only” speaks about the mode of delivery (distance education) rather than the research orientation of the institution.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since “remedial” relates to support for students with learning gaps and has nothing to do with high-level research emphasis.