New school structure pattern – UGC NET Question

NEP 2020 replaces the 10+2 structure with a 5+3+3+4 design. This aligns schooling stages with child development from ages 3 to 18. The four stages are foundational, preparatory, middle and secondary. The structure allows pedagogy to be tailored more carefully to each age group.

Option A:
4+4+4+4 does not correspond to the four NEP stages and ignores the ECCE years starting at age 3.

Option B:
5+4+3+2 is not the pattern described in the policy and misallocates years between stages.

Option C:
5+3+3+4 correctly captures the four stages and total years from age 3 to 18.

Option D:
3+3+3+3+2 adds an extra stage not envisaged in NEP 2020 and breaks the intended grouping.