UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Open access publications are made available to readers without paywalls or subscription fees. The stem mentions free availability without subscription barriers, which is the defining feature of open access. This model aims to widen dissemination and usage of research. Hence, “open” access correctly completes the sentence.

Option A:
Restricted access content is limited to certain users, often through paywalls or licences. This is the opposite of the barrier-free access described in the question, so this option is not correct.

Option B:
Delayed access sometimes allows free reading after an embargo period, but the stem focuses on absence of subscription barriers at the point of use. Therefore, delayed access does not best capture the idea in the question.

Option C:
Closed access refers to content that remains behind paywalls or is accessible only to subscribers. It contradicts the notion of free online availability and cannot complete the statement correctly.

Option D:
Open access removes subscription barriers and often allows reuse under specific licences, matching the scenario of freely available research articles outlined in the stem.

Open access journals remove price and many permission barriers for readers by making articles freely available on the internet. They often use Creative Commons or similar licences that allow broad reuse with attribution. ICT infrastructures such as institutional repositories and online platforms make open access feasible at scale. Thus, the journals described are open access journals.

Option A:
Option A is correct because open access is defined by free online availability and permissive reuse conditions, matching the characteristics given.

Option B:
Option B, impact factor, measures citation frequency of journals and is not a type of access model.

Option C:
Option C, peer reviewed, describes the quality control process, which may apply to both open access and subscription journals.

Option D:
Option D, predatory, journals charge authors fees without proper editorial standards and are considered unethical, which is not implied by simply being free to read.

Statements A, B, D and E provide a realistic picture of how research is disseminated and used, while C is false. Research is commonly shared through journals, conferences and policy documents, and open access routes can broaden readership. Translating findings into accessible language supports practitioner use, and funders may require outputs aimed at both academic and practitioner or policy audiences. C is incorrect because researchers do have ethical and professional responsibilities to communicate findings beyond academic circles where relevant.

Option A:
Option A omits E and thus does not mention the expectations of funding agencies for diverse dissemination outputs, which is an important aspect of utilisation. This omission makes the set incomplete.

Option B:
Option B leaves out B itself and focuses only on A, D and E, thereby ignoring the contemporary significance of open access publishing in widening access to knowledge. Without that element, the option does not fully capture dissemination strategies.

Option C:
Option C includes B, D and E but omits A, which states the basic channels of dissemination like journals and conferences. By not including A, this option fails to mention the most traditional outlets.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it groups together all four true statements and excludes C, which wrongly suggests that researchers have no communication obligations beyond academia. It represents both conventional and newer expectations around dissemination and use.

Option E includes C, the false claim about lack of responsibility to stakeholders, and so the combination becomes unacceptable despite containing other true statements.

Statements A and C correctly reflect the meaning and benefits of OER. A is true because OER are explicitly defined as openly licensed materials that can be used and shared freely. C is correct since adopting OER reduces dependence on expensive textbooks and can broaden access to quality content. B is false because open access journals are characterised by free access to readers, even if they sometimes charge authors processing fees. D is false as open licences often grant the right to adapt resources for local needs. Thus, the correct combination is A and C only.

Option A:
Option A is correct because it selects the two statements that align with standard definitions and advantages of OER. It excludes B and D, both of which misstate the financial and legal aspects of open access and licensing.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it includes B as correct, wrongly describing open access journals as subscription-based for readers. This reverses the core idea of open access publishing.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it treats all four statements as correct, thereby accepting B and D, which contradict open access principles and licensing freedoms.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it combines only B and D, both of which are false, and leaves out A and C, which accurately describe OER. This option is entirely inconsistent with accepted definitions.

Statements A, B, D and E are consistent with how institutional repositories operate in higher education. They archive author versions of papers, increase visibility through open access, depend on rich metadata for search and are governed by policies specifying deposit conditions. Statement C is false because many publishers explicitly allow repository deposits under certain terms. Statement F is false since repositories are inherently digital systems, so the correct set excludes C and F while keeping A, B, D and E.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it omits E and therefore does not acknowledge that repository use is governed by institutional and publisher policies. A, B and D are true but incomplete in describing governance, so this option is partial.

Option B:
Option B is incomplete because it leaves out A, the statement that directly links repositories to faculty outputs. While B, D and E are correct, without A the purpose of the repository is less clear.

Option C:
Option C is incomplete and inaccurate because it omits B and retains A, D and E only. Even though those three are true, ignoring the visibility benefits described in B means the combination does not contain all correct statements.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it captures storage, visibility, metadata and policy dimensions in one set. It correctly discards the claims that repository deposits always breach copyright or that only print copies matter, making it the best answer.

Statements A, B and D describe commonly observed characteristics of MOOCs, including openness, interactive components and freely available learning materials. Statement C is incorrect because not all MOOCs lead to formal degrees, and recognition varies by institution. Many MOOCs issue certificates or badges rather than full degrees. Thus, the correct combination of true statements is A, B and D only.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes only A and B and omits D. While A and B are true, D is also correct in noting that many MOOCs offer free access to core learning resources. Leaving out D makes the description of MOOCs incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it selects A, B and D, all of which align with standard descriptions of MOOCs. It avoids the unrealistic claim in C about universal degree recognition. This combination therefore reflects both the potential and the limits of MOOCs.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it groups B and D only and omits A. Statement A is fundamental in defining MOOCs as large-scale open online courses. An option that leaves out this key feature cannot be considered complete.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it accepts A, C and D together as correct. Including C implies that all MOOCs lead to universally recognised degrees, which is not true in practice.

Shodhganga is a digital repository maintained by INFLIBNET where Indian universities deposit electronic versions of PhD theses and dissertations. It promotes open access to research and supports academic integrity. ICT infrastructure makes these works widely discoverable. Thus, the repository described is Shodhganga.

Option A:
Option A is correct because Shodhganga is the well known national repository for theses and dissertations in India.

Option B:
Option B, ShodhSindhu, is the e journal consortium and not the thesis repository.

Option C:
Option C, e Vidya, does not correspond to this specific initiative.

Option D:
Option D, GyanSagar, is not the official name of the repository.