Upward and downward communication – UGC NET Question

Statements A and B are correct, while C and D are wrong and therefore form the required combination of wrong statements. A is true because downward communication usually refers to messages flowing from higher levels of authority to lower levels, such as administration to teachers. B is true since teachers’ reports, suggestions and grievances sent upward are classic examples of upward communication. C is false because upward communication can also be distorted due to fear, filtering or misrepresentation. D is false because educational institutions need horizontal and diagonal communication as well as upward and downward flows to function effectively.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it marks C only as wrong and ignores D. Although C is indeed wrong, D also misrepresents institutional communication needs by privileging only downward flow. As the question demands identification of all wrong statements, this option is incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it selects D only as wrong and leaves out C. While D is a false claim about the sufficiency of downward communication, C also wrongly asserts that upward messages are always distortion-free. Excluding C means this option does not capture the full set of wrong statements.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it treats A, C and D as wrong, even though A correctly describes typical downward communication. Including A among wrong statements makes the combination inconsistent with organisational communication theory. Hence it cannot be accepted.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it recognises that C and D both misstate how communication operates in institutions. It acknowledges that both directions of flow can be distorted and that institutions require multiple communication directions. By excluding A and B, which are true, this option exactly matches the pattern of wrong statements in the item.