UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

NEP 2020 emphasises that vocational and academic education should not be placed in a hierarchy. It calls for integrating vocational exposure into the curriculum for all students and promoting respect for all forms of work, thereby improving employability and social dignity.

Option A:
Treating vocational education as separate and inferior reinforces stigma and is explicitly criticised in the policy.

Option B:
This option correctly reflects NEP’s goal of integrating vocational education within mainstream schooling and valuing it on par with academic learning.

Option C:
Abolishing vocational education would remove an important avenue for skill development and contradicts NEP’s push for skills for all.

Option D:
Offering vocational education only to those who “fail” in academics deepens stigma and goes directly against the policy’s inclusive and parity-based approach.

NEP 2020 lists several life skills as essential outcomes of schooling. It proposes that these be developed through pedagogies like group work, projects, sports and arts, not just through one isolated course. This reinforces holistic development alongside academic learning.

Option A:
Treating life skills as unimportant and leaving them only to families ignores their role in personal and social success and contradicts NEP’s explicit listings.

Option B:
This option aligns with the cross curricular integration of life skills envisaged in the policy. It emphasises everyday practice in classrooms and co curricular spaces, making it the correct answer.

Option C:
Limiting life skills to one subject may lead to compartmentalisation; NEP prefers infusion into all areas of school life.

Option D:
Restricting life skills to vocational tracks would deprive many students in general education of these competencies, which is not what NEP suggests.

Statements A, B and D are correct because they highlight curriculum integration, experiential activities and community involvement, all of which are emphasised in environmental education policies. Statement C is incorrect since restricting learning to textbooks and exams undermines the attitudinal and behavioural goals of environmental education. Therefore, the combination A, B and D only is correct.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete as it includes only A and B and omits D. Without recognising the role of parents and communities, the answer leaves out an important avenue for reinforcing learning beyond school.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it includes all three accurate statements and excludes C, which misrepresents effective environmental education practice. It reflects the holistic, participatory and experiential approach expected at school level.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since it accepts C along with B and D. Including C would endorse a narrow focus on textbooks and exams, contrary to the objectives of environmental education.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it groups A with C and D and treats C as correct. While A and D are valid, including C makes the overall combination inconsistent with accepted approaches.