UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The National Testing Agency was established to conduct reliable, standardised examinations for admissions and related purposes in higher and professional education. It aims to bring transparency, efficiency and fairness to entrance testing. The stem clearly mentions its primary function in the system, which is to conduct examinations. Therefore, Option C accurately completes the sentence.

Option A:
By centralising entrance tests for various institutions and programmes, NTA reduces duplication and logistical burdens while providing uniform testing conditions. This supports merit-based selection and aligns closely with the description provided in the question.

Option B:
Accreditation is handled by bodies such as NAAC and NBA, not by NTA. The latter focuses specifically on testing, so Option A is not appropriate.

Option C:
Curriculum framing is normally done by universities, councils and expert committees, not by the National Testing Agency. NTA may align test content to curricula but does not design curricula itself, making Option B incorrect.

Option D:
Teacher appointments are within the purview of institutions and public service commissions, not NTA. Therefore, Option D does not describe the agency’s primary function.

NEP 2020 calls for exams at all levels to move away from rote memorisation towards questions that assess understanding, application, analysis and critical thinking, so that teaching–learning also becomes deeper and more meaningful.

Option A:
Increasing rote-based questions would reinforce the very problems NEP identifies, such as superficial learning and exam-focused cramming.

Option B:
This option is correct because it directly states the desired shift towards application- and analysis-based items for assessing higher-order skills.

Option C:
Eliminating all written tests and using only attendance would provide no evidence of actual learning and is not suggested by the policy.

Option D:
Sports and physical education are important but cannot replace academic assessment; NEP argues for balanced, not exclusive, focus.