UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Inclusive growth refers to a pattern of economic expansion in which the poor and marginalised also share in rising incomes and opportunities. It deliberately links macro level growth with improvements in employment,education and basic services. Because the stem emphasises reducing poverty and inequality while the economy grows,this description fits inclusive growth. It is therefore the most appropriate term for the blank.

Option A:
Inclusive growth stresses broad based participation in and benefits from economic processes. It seeks to ensure that growth is not confined to a small elite but improves capabilities for many groups. For these reasons,it correctly captures the idea expressed in the question stem.

Option B:
Jobless growth occurs when output increases without a corresponding rise in employment opportunities. Such growth can actually worsen inequality because many people remain excluded from productive work. Hence it contradicts the idea of widely shared benefits mentioned in the stem.

Option C:
Trickle down growth assumes that benefits from the rich will eventually reach the poor without specific policy measures. In practice,this often fails to reduce structural inequality. Therefore it does not match the intentional, equity oriented character of inclusive growth described in the question.

Option D:
Export led growth focuses on expanding external markets for domestic goods as the main driver of development. While it can raise GDP,it does not automatically guarantee broad based poverty reduction,so it is not the best fit for the description in the stem.

Sustainable development is commonly described as having three mutually reinforcing pillars: economic, social and environmental. The economic dimension concerns productive activity and livelihoods, the social dimension addresses equity and human well-being, and the environmental dimension relates to ecological integrity. This three-pillar model is widely used in policy documents, UN reports and UGC NET materials. Therefore, option B correctly identifies the standard triad of sustainable development.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because technology and politics are instruments or contexts, not the fundamental dimensions themselves. While technological and political factors influence sustainability, they are not recognised as the core three pillars. Thus, this set does not match the accepted framework.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it lists economic, social and environmental dimensions, which are the foundational pillars of sustainability. These three areas together capture growth, justice and ecological balance, and they underpin most sustainable development indicators and policies.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect as cultural and religious aspects may be important but are not defined as the three basic pillars in mainstream discourse. Social dimension may include culture and religion, but they are not usually separated as distinct equal pillars alongside the economy and environment.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because political and legal aspects are tools for governance rather than the core dimensions of sustainability. They help implement sustainable policies but are not themselves the three universally accepted pillars of sustainable development.