Tag: Best Notes and MCQs on Higher Education System UGC NET NTA

  • UGC NET – Paper-1-UNIT 10 — Higher Education System: Governance, Polity and Administration-MCQs

    (As per NTA–UGC NET Paper I Syllabus, 2024–25 Pattern)

    Each question matches UGC NET exam level, combining factual recall, conceptual clarity, and policy awareness.


    🧭 Section A: Evolution and Policy of Higher Education (Q.1–10)


    Q1. The term “University” in India was first used by which Act?
    A) Charter Act of 1813
    B) Wood’s Despatch, 1854
    C) Indian Universities Act, 1904
    D) University Education Commission, 1948
    Answer: C
    Explanation: The Indian Universities Act, 1904 regulated and modernized university functions in India.


    Q2. The University Education Commission (Radhakrishnan Commission) was set up in:
    A) 1945
    B) 1948
    C) 1950
    D) 1952
    Answer: B
    Explanation: It was appointed in 1948 under Dr. S. Radhakrishnan to examine the role of universities in independent India.


    Q3. The Kothari Commission (1964–66) gave the slogan:
    A) “Education for All”
    B) “Education for National Development”
    C) “Learning without Burden”
    D) “Education for Equality”
    Answer: B


    Q4. The National Policy on Education (NPE) was first adopted in:
    A) 1968
    B) 1976
    C) 1986
    D) 1992
    Answer: A


    Q5. The revised version of NPE 1986 was announced in:
    A) 1989
    B) 1990
    C) 1992
    D) 1995
    Answer: C


    Q6. “National Education Policy 2020” aims to achieve 50% Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education by:
    A) 2025
    B) 2030
    C) 2035
    D) 2040
    Answer: C


    Q7. NEP 2020 proposes replacing the UGC and AICTE with:
    A) NITI Aayog
    B) Higher Education Commission of India (HECI)
    C) National Council for Higher Learning (NCHL)
    D) National Accreditation Authority
    Answer: B


    Q8. Which of the following was known as the “Magna Carta of English Education”?
    A) Hunter Commission
    B) Macaulay’s Minute (1835)
    C) Wood’s Despatch (1854)
    D) Charter Act (1813)
    Answer: C


    Q9. “Education for All” campaign in India is known as:
    A) RUSA
    B) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
    C) Samagra Shiksha
    D) NPE 2020
    Answer: B


    Q10. The Yash Pal Committee (2009) recommended:
    A) Merger of UGC and AICTE
    B) New teacher training institutes
    C) Compulsory rural education
    D) Privatization of higher education
    Answer: A


    🏛️ Section B: Constitutional and Administrative Framework (Q.11–20)


    Q11. Education was transferred from State List to Concurrent List by:
    A) 42nd Amendment (1976)
    B) 44th Amendment (1978)
    C) 46th Amendment (1980)
    D) 52nd Amendment (1985)
    Answer: A


    Q12. Article 21A of the Indian Constitution ensures:
    A) Right to Information
    B) Right to Education (6–14 years)
    C) Right to Equality
    D) Right to Property
    Answer: B


    Q13. Article 45 relates to:
    A) Free legal aid
    B) Uniform civil code
    C) Early childhood care and education
    D) Fundamental duties
    Answer: C


    Q14. Article 46 of the Constitution provides for:
    A) Promotion of education among weaker sections
    B) Reservation for women
    C) Cultural protection
    D) Environmental education
    Answer: A


    Q15. Cultural and educational rights of minorities are protected under:
    A) Articles 29 and 30
    B) Articles 31 and 32
    C) Articles 35 and 36
    D) Articles 38 and 39
    Answer: A


    Q16. Which Article mentions Fundamental Duty of parents to provide education?
    A) 51A(a)
    B) 51A(k)
    C) 51A(j)
    D) 51A(c)
    Answer: B


    Q17. The Right to Education Act (RTE) was enacted in:
    A) 2008
    B) 2009
    C) 2010
    D) 2012
    Answer: B


    Q18. The RTE Act ensures free and compulsory education for children aged:
    A) 4–14 years
    B) 5–15 years
    C) 6–14 years
    D) 8–16 years
    Answer: C


    Q19. Which level of governance handles higher education?
    A) Local government
    B) State only
    C) Both Centre and State (Concurrent List)
    D) Centre only
    Answer: C


    Q20. The head of a Central University is called:
    A) Director
    B) Chancellor
    C) Vice-Chancellor
    D) Registrar
    Answer: B


    📚 Section C: Regulatory Bodies and Quality Assurance (Q.21–30)


    Q21. UGC was established under an Act of Parliament in:
    A) 1948
    B) 1950
    C) 1956
    D) 1960
    Answer: C


    Q22. The UGC is responsible for:
    A) Secondary education
    B) Coordination and maintenance of higher education standards
    C) Primary education
    D) Vocational training only
    Answer: B


    Q23. Headquarters of UGC is located in:
    A) Pune
    B) New Delhi
    C) Hyderabad
    D) Kolkata
    Answer: B


    Q24. NAAC was established by UGC in:
    A) 1986
    B) 1994
    C) 2000
    D) 2005
    Answer: B


    Q25. The full form of NAAC is:
    A) National Academic Accreditation Council
    B) National Assessment and Accreditation Council
    C) National Association for Accreditation of Colleges
    D) National Accreditation Commission
    Answer: B


    Q26. NBA (National Board of Accreditation) accredits:
    A) Agricultural programs
    B) Technical and professional programs
    C) Humanities only
    D) Open university courses
    Answer: B


    Q27. NIRF stands for:
    A) National Institutional Ranking Framework
    B) National Institutional Research Foundation
    C) National Institutional Review Forum
    D) National Institute of Research Framework
    Answer: A


    Q28. NIRF ranking is released by:
    A) UGC
    B) NAAC
    C) Ministry of Education (MoE)
    D) AICTE
    Answer: C


    Q29. “AISHE” refers to:
    A) All India Survey on Higher Education
    B) Association of Indian Scholars for Higher Education
    C) Academic Institutions of Science and Humanities Education
    D) Assessment in Schools and Higher Education
    Answer: A


    Q30. Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) in colleges/universities aims at:
    A) Exam reforms
    B) Enhancing institutional quality and performance
    C) Administrative restructuring
    D) Controlling student unions
    Answer: B


    🧩 Section D: Value Education and Ethics (Q.31–40)


    Q31. The primary objective of Value Education is:
    A) Job skills
    B) Knowledge of technology
    C) Inculcation of moral, ethical, and spiritual values
    D) Physical training
    Answer: C


    Q32. The concept of value-based education in India finds roots in:
    A) Vedas and Upanishads
    B) Greek philosophy
    C) British constitution
    D) Western science
    Answer: A


    Q33. Value education emphasizes:
    A) Competition
    B) Individualism
    C) Cooperation and harmony
    D) Materialism
    Answer: C


    Q34. “Indian Ethos in Education” promotes:
    A) Spiritual, moral, and ethical development
    B) Technological growth only
    C) Western ideals
    D) Corporate management
    Answer: A


    Q35. Which of the following is not a core human value?
    A) Integrity
    B) Compassion
    C) Jealousy
    D) Empathy
    Answer: C


    Q36. Professional ethics in higher education means:
    A) Strictly following political ideology
    B) Demonstrating fairness, honesty, and accountability
    C) Following peer pressure
    D) Avoiding innovation
    Answer: B


    Q37. The holistic development of learners includes:
    A) Only academic growth
    B) Moral, social, intellectual, and physical growth
    C) Physical growth only
    D) Political awareness
    Answer: B


    Q38. “Guru-Shishya Parampara” signifies:
    A) Formal evaluation
    B) Online learning
    C) Spiritual teacher–student bond
    D) Government monitoring system
    Answer: C


    Q39. The National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT) focuses on:
    A) Curriculum development
    B) Teacher training and professional growth
    C) Infrastructure building
    D) Digital learning only
    Answer: B


    Q40. The Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) promotes:
    A) International collaboration through visiting foreign faculty
    B) Free online school courses
    C) Student exchange with Asia only
    D) Sports infrastructure
    Answer: A


    📊 Section E: NEP 2020 & Institutional Reforms (Q.41–50)


    Q41. NEP 2020 proposes a new institutional architecture under HECI with how many verticals?
    A) 2
    B) 3
    C) 4
    D) 5
    Answer: C
    Explanation: NHERC, GEC, HEGC, NAC.


    Q42. The National Research Foundation (NRF) is proposed to:
    A) Regulate higher education
    B) Fund and promote research and innovation
    C) Conduct accreditation
    D) Oversee teacher training
    Answer: B


    Q43. NEP 2020 emphasizes multidisciplinary education through:
    A) Rigid courses
    B) Multiple entry–exit options
    C) Single-stream universities
    D) Vocational elimination
    Answer: B


    Q44. The duration of integrated undergraduate degree as per NEP 2020 can be:
    A) 2 years
    B) 3 or 4 years (flexible)
    C) 5 years fixed
    D) 6 years
    Answer: B


    Q45. Which body releases NIRF Rankings annually?
    A) Ministry of Education
    B) AICTE
    C) UGC
    D) NITI Aayog
    Answer: A


    Q46. RUSA stands for:
    A) Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan
    B) Regional University Scheme of Asia
    C) Rural University Support Authority
    D) Research Upgradation Scheme of Academia
    Answer: A


    Q47. The main aim of RUSA is to:
    A) Enhance quality of State universities
    B) Support primary education
    C) Encourage foreign universities
    D) Promote corporate funding
    Answer: A


    Q48. The National Knowledge Network (NKN) connects:
    A) Schools
    B) Indian universities and research institutions via high-speed data
    C) Panchayats
    D) NGOs
    Answer: B


    Q49. ARPIT program by MHRD is meant for:
    A) Administrative training
    B) Online refresher courses for faculty
    C) Student entrepreneurship
    D) Library automation
    Answer: B


    Q50. The NITI Aayog in education primarily coordinates:
    A) Environmental projects
    B) Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
    C) Industrial growth
    D) Political reforms
    Answer: B

  • UGC NET – Paper-1-UNIT 10 – Higher Education System: Governance, Polity and Administration

    (For NTA UGC NET Paper 1 – As per Latest 2024–25 Syllabus)

    This is your final unit of Paper I and carries significant weightage — 5 questions (10 marks) in almost every exam.
    The following notes cover all conceptual, factual, and current dimensions — exactly what NTA expects.


    🎯 1. Objective of This Unit

    This unit tests your awareness about:

    • Structure of higher education in India

    • Governance, policies, and reforms

    • Institutional frameworks and regulatory bodies

    • Education and society relationship

    • Value education, Indian heritage, and constitutional provisions

    It integrates education, governance, values, and policy perspective.


    🧭 2. Meaning and Role of Higher Education

    🔹 Definition:

    Higher Education refers to post-secondary education provided by universities, colleges, and institutions that award degrees, diplomas, or certificates.

    🔹 Purpose:

    • Creation of knowledge

    • Development of skills and research

    • Promotion of national development and social transformation

    • Preservation and transmission of culture and values


    🧱 3. Evolution of Higher Education in India

    A. Ancient Indian Education System

    Era Key Institutions Features
    Vedic Period Gurukulas Holistic education (spiritual + practical)
    Buddhist Period Nalanda, Takshashila, Vallabhi, Vikramshila International centers of learning; focus on logic, medicine, philosophy
    Medieval Period Madrasas and Maktabs Religious and literary learning

    B. Modern Education (Colonial Period)

    Year Event Significance
    1813 Charter Act Allocated funds for education
    1835 Macaulay’s Minute Introduced English education
    1854 Wood’s Despatch “Magna Carta of English Education” – set up universities
    1857 Establishment of Universities at Calcutta, Bombay, Madras
    1944 Sargent Report Blueprint for post-war educational reconstruction

    C. Post-Independence Developments

    Year Milestone Description
    1948 University Education Commission (Radhakrishnan) Linked higher education with national development
    1952 Secondary Education Commission (Mudaliar) Reorganized secondary education
    1964–66 Education Commission (Kothari) “Education for National Development”
    1968 National Policy on Education (NPE) First national education policy
    1986 NPE revised – focus on equality and quality
    1992 Programme of Action Implementation framework
    2020 National Education Policy (NEP 2020) Complete reform in structure and governance

    🇮🇳 4. Constitutional Provisions Related to Education

    Article Description
    Art. 21-A Right to Education (6–14 years) as Fundamental Right
    Art. 45 Early childhood care and education
    Art. 46 Education and economic interests of weaker sections
    Art. 29 & 30 Cultural and educational rights of minorities
    Art. 51-A (k) Duty of parent to provide education
    Concurrent List – Entry 25 Education subject shared by Centre and State

    📚 5. Structure of Higher Education in India

    Levels

    1. Undergraduate (UG) – Bachelor’s degrees

    2. Postgraduate (PG) – Master’s degrees

    3. Doctoral (Ph.D.) / Research Degrees

    4. Professional and Technical Education

    Types of Institutions

    Category Example
    Central Universities JNU, DU, BHU
    State Universities University of Mumbai, Calcutta University
    Deemed Universities BITS Pilani, Tata Institute of Social Sciences
    Private Universities Amity, SRM, etc.
    Institutes of National Importance IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NITs
    Open Universities IGNOU, BRAOU

    🏛️ 6. Regulatory and Governing Bodies

    Body Full Form Function
    UGC University Grants Commission Coordination and maintenance of standards in higher education
    AICTE All India Council for Technical Education Technical and management education
    NCTE National Council for Teacher Education Teacher training regulation
    ICAR Indian Council of Agricultural Research Agricultural education
    MCI / NMC Medical Council of India / National Medical Commission Medical education
    BCI Bar Council of India Legal education
    PCI Pharmacy Council of India Pharmacy education
    NAAC National Assessment and Accreditation Council Quality assessment
    NBA National Board of Accreditation Technical program accreditation

    📊 7. University Grants Commission (UGC)

    • Established under UGC Act, 1956.

    • Apex body for coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards.

    • Headquarters: New Delhi

    • Regional Offices: Hyderabad, Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, Guwahati

    Functions:

    1. Allocate funds to universities.

    2. Set standards for teaching and research.

    3. Coordinate between Centre and States.

    4. Promote quality through NAAC.

    5. Oversee implementation of NET/JRF, NEP 2020 reforms, etc.


    🏫 8. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

    Vision:

    To transform India into a global knowledge superpower emphasizing access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability.

    Key Highlights:

    • 5+3+3+4 structure replaces 10+2.

    • Multidisciplinary and flexible learning (multiple exit/entry).

    • Focus on skill-based, holistic education.

    • Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) to replace UGC & AICTE.

    • 4 verticals under HECI:

      • NHERC (Regulation)

      • GEC (Standards)

      • HEGC (Funding)

      • NAC (Accreditation)

    • Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) target: 50% by 2035.

    • Promotion of Indian languages and research via NRC (National Research Foundation).


    📘 9. Value Education and Indian Ethos

    Aspect Description
    Value Education Education that inculcates moral, ethical, spiritual values.
    Indian Ethos Rooted in ancient knowledge (Vedas, Upanishads, Gita) promoting harmony.
    Objectives Integrity, tolerance, peace, social justice, and compassion.
    Methods Moral education, citizenship education, social service, yoga, meditation.

    🕊️ 10. Ethics and Human Values in Higher Education

    • Academic integrity and honesty

    • Environmental and social responsibility

    • Gender sensitivity

    • Inclusiveness and respect for diversity

    • Professional ethics and accountability


    🌏 11. Internationalization of Higher Education

    Concept Focus
    Student & Faculty Exchange Global collaboration programs
    Foreign University Entry (NEP 2020) Top 100 global universities allowed to open campuses in India
    Online/Blended Learning Global MOOCs (Coursera, SWAYAM)
    Research Collaboration Joint projects and funding

    🧩 12. Educational Administration and Governance

    Levels of Governance

    Level Authority
    National Ministry of Education (MoE), UGC
    State Department of Higher Education
    Institutional Vice-Chancellor, Syndicate, Senate, Academic Council

    University Governance Structure

    1. Chancellor – Head of the University (Governor in states)

    2. Vice-Chancellor – Executive head

    3. Academic Council – Academic affairs body

    4. Executive Council / Syndicate – Administrative decisions

    5. Finance Committee – Budget management


    🧾 13. Funding and Accountability

    Source Description
    Public Funding UGC, Central/State grants
    Private Funding Endowments, tuition fees, donations
    HEGC (proposed) Centralized grant body under NEP 2020

    Autonomy Categories (UGC 2018):

    1. Category I: High performing institutions

    2. Category II: Moderate autonomy

    3. Category III: Under regulatory supervision


    🧠 14. Quality Assurance in Higher Education

    Mechanism Function
    NAAC Evaluates quality in higher education institutions
    NBA Accredits technical programs
    NIRF National Institutional Ranking Framework
    AISHE Annual survey for higher education statistics
    IQAC Internal Quality Assurance Cell (mandatory for all universities)

    🏛️ 15. Major Education Commissions and Reports

    Commission / Committee Year Recommendation
    Radhakrishnan Commission 1948–49 Aims & philosophy of higher education
    Kothari Commission 1964–66 “Education for National Development”
    Yash Pal Committee 2009 Rejuvenation of higher education
    National Knowledge Commission 2005 ICT & research focus
    T.S.R. Subramanian Committee 2016 Foundation for NEP 2020

    🏞️ 16. Major Educational Schemes (Government of India)

    Scheme Purpose
    RUSA Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan – improvement of State universities
    PMMMNMTT Faculty training & pedagogy (Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Mission)
    SWAYAM Free MOOCs for students and faculty
    SWAYAM PRABHA 32 DTH channels for digital education
    GIAN Global Initiative of Academic Networks (foreign faculty lectures)
    ARPIT Online refresher for teachers
    SPARC Research collaboration with global universities
    IMPRINT Technology research initiative

    📚 17. National Knowledge Network (NKN)

    • Launched: 2010

    • Connects Indian universities, research institutions, and libraries with high-speed data communication network.


    📊 18. Challenges in Indian Higher Education

    Challenge Explanation
    Access Unequal distribution and affordability
    Equity Gender, regional, social imbalance
    Quality Outdated curriculum and inadequate infrastructure
    Employability Skill gap and lack of innovation
    Research Output Low global ranking
    Governance Bureaucratic rigidity
    Funding Declining public investment

    🌈 19. Reforms and Way Forward

    • Implement NEP 2020 reforms effectively

    • Promote multidisciplinary universities and research

    • Expand open & distance learning (ODL)

    • Ensure digital inclusion and skill development

    • Foster ethical, value-based education


    20. Quick Revision Table

    Theme Key Concepts
    Evolution Ancient → Modern → Post-independence
    Constitutional Provisions Articles 21A, 45, 46, 29–30
    Structure Central, State, Deemed, Private, Open universities
    Regulatory Bodies UGC, AICTE, NCTE, NAAC
    NEP 2020 Multidisciplinary, HECI, 50% GER by 2035
    Quality Agencies NAAC, NIRF, NBA
    Major Acts UGC Act 1956, RTE 2009
    Government Schemes RUSA, GIAN, SWAYAM, ARPIT
    Ethics & Values Integrity, responsibility, inclusivity
    Challenges Access, equity, quality, governance