UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

When universities undertake outreach programmes to address local needs in education, health and environment, they are exercising their social responsibility. These actions show concern for societal well-being and development beyond campus boundaries, so “social” is the correct term.

Option A:
Option A is correct because social responsibility emphasises the obligation of institutions to use their knowledge and resources for the public good, which is exactly what such community-oriented activities represent.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect since “purely commercial” responsibility would focus on profit-making transactions rather than service and community welfare.

Option C:
Option C is wrong because “military” responsibility relates to defence activities, which are not what literacy drives or health camps are about.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect as “electoral” responsibility would involve managing or influencing elections, not running educational or health campaigns for nearby communities.

When universities run literacy campaigns, health camps or environmental drives for surrounding communities, they are fulfilling their social responsibility. This role extends beyond teaching and research to direct contribution to societal development. The stem highlights such outreach initiatives, so “social” responsibility is the correct term.

Option A:
Social responsibility recognises higher education institutions as public institutions that must contribute to justice, equity and sustainability. Outreach and extension activities are concrete expressions of this obligation, which is why this option fits.

Option B:
A purely commercial responsibility would emphasise profit-making and market interests, which is not the primary motive for community outreach programmes described in the stem. Hence, this option is not suitable.

Option C:
Military responsibility relates to defence and security functions that are outside the scope of typical university outreach. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Option D:
Electoral responsibility concerns conducting or regulating elections, which is not what is being discussed in relation to community-focused programmes. Thus, this option does not match the stem.

Higher education institutions are often described as having three main functions: teaching, research and extension. Extension and outreach refer to activities by which universities apply their knowledge and resources to serve communities, such as literacy drives, health camps and environmental projects. The stem clearly describes this type of engagement with local communities, so “extension and outreach” is the correct completion.

Option A:
Extension and outreach activities help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and societal needs, reinforcing the social responsibility of universities. They also provide experiential learning opportunities for students, aligning exactly with the function described.

Option B:
Only research would restrict the university’s role to knowledge generation and not emphasise its application in communities. While research can inform outreach, it is not the same as the community engagement mentioned in the question, so Option A is incomplete.

Option C:
Exclusively teaching focuses on classroom instruction and ignores the third mission of community service, which the stem explicitly brings out. Hence, Option B is not appropriate here.

Option D:
Purely commercial activity is driven primarily by profit motives, which may not align with the educational and social goals of community projects. Therefore, Option D does not capture the extension function described.

When universities undertake outreach activities to improve literacy, health or environmental conditions in surrounding communities, they are fulfilling their social responsibility. These actions reflect a commitment to public welfare beyond teaching and research, so “social” responsibility completes the stem correctly.

Option A:
Option A is correct because social responsibility refers to institutions using their knowledge and resources to help society, which is precisely what such community-oriented projects demonstrate.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect as “profit-making” highlights revenue generation, whereas the focus here is service to the community rather than financial gain.

Option C:
Option C is wrong because “military” responsibility would relate to defence and security functions, not community literacy or health camps.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect since “electoral” responsibility concerns election conduct or political campaigning, which is not what the listed university projects are about.

The third mission of universities refers to their role in contributing directly to society and the economy through activities like community service, technology transfer and industry collaboration. Engagement with communities and industry is central to this idea. The stem highlights this “third mission” and asks whom universities engage with, which is community and industry, and the blank most appropriately refers to community. Hence, Option B is correct.

Option A:
Community engagement includes outreach projects, continuing education, policy advice and cultural activities that link universities with societal needs. This mission extends the purposes of higher education beyond campus boundaries, fitting the description in the question.

Option B:
Only sports is far too narrow and does not capture the broad societal and economic engagement implied by the third mission concept. Therefore, Option A is not suitable.

Option C:
Examination boards relate to assessment and certification functions and are not the primary focus of third-mission discussions, making Option C inappropriate.

Option D:
Private hostels are part of student accommodation arrangements and do not represent the societal engagement role highlighted in the stem. Thus, Option D does not correctly complete the sentence.