UGC NET Previous Year Question Paper I (December 2023): Answer Key with Solutions | UGC NET Past Year Papers PDF Download

 Page 1


1. (a)  
2. (c)  
3. (d)  
4. (b)  
5. (c)  
6. (b)  
7. (a)  
8. (c)  
9. (c)  
10. (d)  
11. (a)  
12. (c)  
13. (c)  
14. (d)  
15. (b)  
16. (c)  
17. (c)  
18. (d)  
19. (b)  
20. (d)  
21. (a)  
22. (d)  
23. (c)  
24. (a)  
25. (a)  
26. (a)  
27. (c) 
28. (d)  
29. (c) 
30. (d)  
31. (d)  
32. (c)  
33. (d) 
34. (b)  
35. (b)  
36. (d)  
Page 2


1. (a)  
2. (c)  
3. (d)  
4. (b)  
5. (c)  
6. (b)  
7. (a)  
8. (c)  
9. (c)  
10. (d)  
11. (a)  
12. (c)  
13. (c)  
14. (d)  
15. (b)  
16. (c)  
17. (c)  
18. (d)  
19. (b)  
20. (d)  
21. (a)  
22. (d)  
23. (c)  
24. (a)  
25. (a)  
26. (a)  
27. (c) 
28. (d)  
29. (c) 
30. (d)  
31. (d)  
32. (c)  
33. (d) 
34. (b)  
35. (b)  
36. (d)  
37. (b)  
38. (c)  
39. (c)  
40. (a)  
41. (d)  
42. (a)  
43. (a)  
44. (a)  
45. (b)  
46. (c)  
47. (d)  
48. (a)  
49. (c)  
50. (c) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page 3


1. (a)  
2. (c)  
3. (d)  
4. (b)  
5. (c)  
6. (b)  
7. (a)  
8. (c)  
9. (c)  
10. (d)  
11. (a)  
12. (c)  
13. (c)  
14. (d)  
15. (b)  
16. (c)  
17. (c)  
18. (d)  
19. (b)  
20. (d)  
21. (a)  
22. (d)  
23. (c)  
24. (a)  
25. (a)  
26. (a)  
27. (c) 
28. (d)  
29. (c) 
30. (d)  
31. (d)  
32. (c)  
33. (d) 
34. (b)  
35. (b)  
36. (d)  
37. (b)  
38. (c)  
39. (c)  
40. (a)  
41. (d)  
42. (a)  
43. (a)  
44. (a)  
45. (b)  
46. (c)  
47. (d)  
48. (a)  
49. (c)  
50. (c) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HINTS AND SOLUTIONS 
1. (a): Basic calculation:  
Total No. of candidates = 78000  
No. of Boys = 24000  
No. of Girls = 78000 – 24000 = 54000  
Total candidates from City E = 8.5% of 78000  
= 85/1000 of 78000 = 6630  
Boys from City E = 21% of 24000  
= 21/100 × 24000 = 5040 
Girls from City E = 6630 – 5040 = 1590  
Difference = 5040 -1590 = 3450  
2. (c): Total candidates from City F = 26% of 78000  
= 26/100 × 78000 = 20280 
Boys from City F = 9% of 24000 = 2160  
Girls from City F = 20280 – 2160 = 18120  
Percentage = 18120/54000 ×100 ˜ 33.55%  
3. (d): Total candidates from City A = 17% of 78000  
= 17/100 of 78000 = 13260  
Boys from City A = 23% of 24000 = 5520  
Girls from City A = 13260 - 5520 = 7740  
4. (b): Total candidates from City C = 15% of 78000 =11700  
Boys from City C = 17% of 24000 = 4080  
Girls from City C = 11700 - 4080 = 7620  
Total candidates from City D = 20% of 78000 = 15600  
Percentage = 7620/15600 × 100 ˜ 48.8%  
5. (c): Boys from City A = 0.23 × 24000 = 5520  
Boys from City B = 20% of 24000 = 4800  
Percentage more = (5520 -4800) / 4800 of 100  
= 720/4800 × 100 = 15% 
6. (b): Different options have been discussed.  
       (a): Expansion of public sector happened in earlier plans as per economic policy.  
              Prior to 1991, India had a 
Page 4


1. (a)  
2. (c)  
3. (d)  
4. (b)  
5. (c)  
6. (b)  
7. (a)  
8. (c)  
9. (c)  
10. (d)  
11. (a)  
12. (c)  
13. (c)  
14. (d)  
15. (b)  
16. (c)  
17. (c)  
18. (d)  
19. (b)  
20. (d)  
21. (a)  
22. (d)  
23. (c)  
24. (a)  
25. (a)  
26. (a)  
27. (c) 
28. (d)  
29. (c) 
30. (d)  
31. (d)  
32. (c)  
33. (d) 
34. (b)  
35. (b)  
36. (d)  
37. (b)  
38. (c)  
39. (c)  
40. (a)  
41. (d)  
42. (a)  
43. (a)  
44. (a)  
45. (b)  
46. (c)  
47. (d)  
48. (a)  
49. (c)  
50. (c) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HINTS AND SOLUTIONS 
1. (a): Basic calculation:  
Total No. of candidates = 78000  
No. of Boys = 24000  
No. of Girls = 78000 – 24000 = 54000  
Total candidates from City E = 8.5% of 78000  
= 85/1000 of 78000 = 6630  
Boys from City E = 21% of 24000  
= 21/100 × 24000 = 5040 
Girls from City E = 6630 – 5040 = 1590  
Difference = 5040 -1590 = 3450  
2. (c): Total candidates from City F = 26% of 78000  
= 26/100 × 78000 = 20280 
Boys from City F = 9% of 24000 = 2160  
Girls from City F = 20280 – 2160 = 18120  
Percentage = 18120/54000 ×100 ˜ 33.55%  
3. (d): Total candidates from City A = 17% of 78000  
= 17/100 of 78000 = 13260  
Boys from City A = 23% of 24000 = 5520  
Girls from City A = 13260 - 5520 = 7740  
4. (b): Total candidates from City C = 15% of 78000 =11700  
Boys from City C = 17% of 24000 = 4080  
Girls from City C = 11700 - 4080 = 7620  
Total candidates from City D = 20% of 78000 = 15600  
Percentage = 7620/15600 × 100 ˜ 48.8%  
5. (c): Boys from City A = 0.23 × 24000 = 5520  
Boys from City B = 20% of 24000 = 4800  
Percentage more = (5520 -4800) / 4800 of 100  
= 720/4800 × 100 = 15% 
6. (b): Different options have been discussed.  
       (a): Expansion of public sector happened in earlier plans as per economic policy.  
              Prior to 1991, India had a 
largely state protected, public sector-dominated economy. That sector still exists in defence, railways, and
certain areas of energy etc. But otherwise, the role of government largely shifted from being ‘producer’ to
‘facilitator’ and ‘regulator’. The LPG became the new rule.
(b): The Eighth Five-Year Plan of India happened between 1992 and 1997. That period almost coincided with
economic reforms of 1991 as more requirement of human resources was anticipated in a diversified economy.
Then the role of private sector was envisaged to fill the gap. Some opening of economy happened in 1980s’
also under Rajiv Gandhi as PM. NEP in 1986) and Programme of Action in 1992 played important role.
Janardhan Reddy Committee (1985-86)’ recommended self-financing colleges, increased autonomy and
flexibility for universities.
(c): A legislation in 2010 and NEP 2020 talked about the role of foreign universities.
7. (a): Both Indian and Western systems recognise the role of middle term in syllogistic reasoning that acts as a
bridge between the major and minor premises. A faulty middle term weakens the entire argument.
According to classical Indian system, sound is not visible; it is audible. This type of ‘hetvabhasa’ is known as
‘Asiddha’ ( - unestablished) in Nyaya. Hetvabhasa is considered as a broader category that takes care
of more fallacies related to the middle term.
Reason (R) accurately explains that the middle term ‘visible’ cannot be naturally present in the minor term
‘sound’ which is a quality and therefore cannot be directly observed. According to Indian logic, a valid
inference requires a middle term that is inherently found in both the major and minor terms.
Thus, (a) is the correct answer.
8. (c): Statement (I): There is vast variety of institutions in India which includes 1127 universities and almost
43000 colleges as per UGC and AISHE reports. We can see that there is wide structural variety. The institutes
may excel in different areas like practical skills development, community engagement, or catering to
marginalized communities. NIRF rankings are based on Teaching, Learning and Resources (TLR), Research and
Professional Practice (RP), Graduation Outcome (GO), Outreach and Inclusiveness (OI) and Perception (PR) but
they don’t present a holistic scenario.
Statement (II): acknowledges the inherent difficulty of designing a perfect system. There is no one-size-fits-
all rating approach because of diversity of education sector.
9. (c): The answer is ‘latent learning’ which was developed by psychologist Edward C. Tolman. This learning
happens in a hidden manner, and the learner realises this kind only at the moment when it is exhibited. Thus, this
type of learning suggests that much of learning is internal and cognitive, rather than just behavioural and based
on external reinforcements. Tolman conducted famous rat maze experiment for this. We specially as children
often pick up on new words and grammar rules long before they actively use them in conversation.
10. (d): Statement (I): This statement is not correct. There is no mention a language as the ‘divine gift’ in Buddhist
literature. Rather, language is a powerful tool to reach to the masses. Buddha used common language ‘Pali’ to
reach to the masses. Even Buddhism used Sanskrit words to some extent, but that is largely used for ‘scholarly
works’.
Statement (II): This statement is correct. The common language is actually impermanent, this evolves with
changes with social contexts and conditions. There is lot of diversification in the population, and there connect
through a common language. Buddhism focused more on nature of reality, suffering, and the path to
enlightenment.
11. (a): The three initial universities, Kolkata, Bombay, and Madras were modelled on lines of London University as
per Sir Charles Wood’s Dispatch of 1854. That era was referred as ‘Magna Carta of English Education in India’.
They adopted some elements of the British university system, such as the emphasis on research, faculty structure,
and academic disciplines. The answer mentioned is (a) though Andhra University was set up at a later stage.
12. (c): According to traditional square of opposition, this question is about sub-contraries, it should be relationship
between I and O. Subcontraries are the pair that can’t both be false but may both be true.
In the given statements:
A: Some apes are monkeys. (I)
B: All apes are monkeys. (A)
C: Some apes are not monkeys. (O)
D: No apes are monkeys. (E)
So, the propositions A (Some apes are monkeys) and C (Some apes are not monkeys) correspond to the I and
Page 5


1. (a)  
2. (c)  
3. (d)  
4. (b)  
5. (c)  
6. (b)  
7. (a)  
8. (c)  
9. (c)  
10. (d)  
11. (a)  
12. (c)  
13. (c)  
14. (d)  
15. (b)  
16. (c)  
17. (c)  
18. (d)  
19. (b)  
20. (d)  
21. (a)  
22. (d)  
23. (c)  
24. (a)  
25. (a)  
26. (a)  
27. (c) 
28. (d)  
29. (c) 
30. (d)  
31. (d)  
32. (c)  
33. (d) 
34. (b)  
35. (b)  
36. (d)  
37. (b)  
38. (c)  
39. (c)  
40. (a)  
41. (d)  
42. (a)  
43. (a)  
44. (a)  
45. (b)  
46. (c)  
47. (d)  
48. (a)  
49. (c)  
50. (c) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HINTS AND SOLUTIONS 
1. (a): Basic calculation:  
Total No. of candidates = 78000  
No. of Boys = 24000  
No. of Girls = 78000 – 24000 = 54000  
Total candidates from City E = 8.5% of 78000  
= 85/1000 of 78000 = 6630  
Boys from City E = 21% of 24000  
= 21/100 × 24000 = 5040 
Girls from City E = 6630 – 5040 = 1590  
Difference = 5040 -1590 = 3450  
2. (c): Total candidates from City F = 26% of 78000  
= 26/100 × 78000 = 20280 
Boys from City F = 9% of 24000 = 2160  
Girls from City F = 20280 – 2160 = 18120  
Percentage = 18120/54000 ×100 ˜ 33.55%  
3. (d): Total candidates from City A = 17% of 78000  
= 17/100 of 78000 = 13260  
Boys from City A = 23% of 24000 = 5520  
Girls from City A = 13260 - 5520 = 7740  
4. (b): Total candidates from City C = 15% of 78000 =11700  
Boys from City C = 17% of 24000 = 4080  
Girls from City C = 11700 - 4080 = 7620  
Total candidates from City D = 20% of 78000 = 15600  
Percentage = 7620/15600 × 100 ˜ 48.8%  
5. (c): Boys from City A = 0.23 × 24000 = 5520  
Boys from City B = 20% of 24000 = 4800  
Percentage more = (5520 -4800) / 4800 of 100  
= 720/4800 × 100 = 15% 
6. (b): Different options have been discussed.  
       (a): Expansion of public sector happened in earlier plans as per economic policy.  
              Prior to 1991, India had a 
largely state protected, public sector-dominated economy. That sector still exists in defence, railways, and
certain areas of energy etc. But otherwise, the role of government largely shifted from being ‘producer’ to
‘facilitator’ and ‘regulator’. The LPG became the new rule.
(b): The Eighth Five-Year Plan of India happened between 1992 and 1997. That period almost coincided with
economic reforms of 1991 as more requirement of human resources was anticipated in a diversified economy.
Then the role of private sector was envisaged to fill the gap. Some opening of economy happened in 1980s’
also under Rajiv Gandhi as PM. NEP in 1986) and Programme of Action in 1992 played important role.
Janardhan Reddy Committee (1985-86)’ recommended self-financing colleges, increased autonomy and
flexibility for universities.
(c): A legislation in 2010 and NEP 2020 talked about the role of foreign universities.
7. (a): Both Indian and Western systems recognise the role of middle term in syllogistic reasoning that acts as a
bridge between the major and minor premises. A faulty middle term weakens the entire argument.
According to classical Indian system, sound is not visible; it is audible. This type of ‘hetvabhasa’ is known as
‘Asiddha’ ( - unestablished) in Nyaya. Hetvabhasa is considered as a broader category that takes care
of more fallacies related to the middle term.
Reason (R) accurately explains that the middle term ‘visible’ cannot be naturally present in the minor term
‘sound’ which is a quality and therefore cannot be directly observed. According to Indian logic, a valid
inference requires a middle term that is inherently found in both the major and minor terms.
Thus, (a) is the correct answer.
8. (c): Statement (I): There is vast variety of institutions in India which includes 1127 universities and almost
43000 colleges as per UGC and AISHE reports. We can see that there is wide structural variety. The institutes
may excel in different areas like practical skills development, community engagement, or catering to
marginalized communities. NIRF rankings are based on Teaching, Learning and Resources (TLR), Research and
Professional Practice (RP), Graduation Outcome (GO), Outreach and Inclusiveness (OI) and Perception (PR) but
they don’t present a holistic scenario.
Statement (II): acknowledges the inherent difficulty of designing a perfect system. There is no one-size-fits-
all rating approach because of diversity of education sector.
9. (c): The answer is ‘latent learning’ which was developed by psychologist Edward C. Tolman. This learning
happens in a hidden manner, and the learner realises this kind only at the moment when it is exhibited. Thus, this
type of learning suggests that much of learning is internal and cognitive, rather than just behavioural and based
on external reinforcements. Tolman conducted famous rat maze experiment for this. We specially as children
often pick up on new words and grammar rules long before they actively use them in conversation.
10. (d): Statement (I): This statement is not correct. There is no mention a language as the ‘divine gift’ in Buddhist
literature. Rather, language is a powerful tool to reach to the masses. Buddha used common language ‘Pali’ to
reach to the masses. Even Buddhism used Sanskrit words to some extent, but that is largely used for ‘scholarly
works’.
Statement (II): This statement is correct. The common language is actually impermanent, this evolves with
changes with social contexts and conditions. There is lot of diversification in the population, and there connect
through a common language. Buddhism focused more on nature of reality, suffering, and the path to
enlightenment.
11. (a): The three initial universities, Kolkata, Bombay, and Madras were modelled on lines of London University as
per Sir Charles Wood’s Dispatch of 1854. That era was referred as ‘Magna Carta of English Education in India’.
They adopted some elements of the British university system, such as the emphasis on research, faculty structure,
and academic disciplines. The answer mentioned is (a) though Andhra University was set up at a later stage.
12. (c): According to traditional square of opposition, this question is about sub-contraries, it should be relationship
between I and O. Subcontraries are the pair that can’t both be false but may both be true.
In the given statements:
A: Some apes are monkeys. (I)
B: All apes are monkeys. (A)
C: Some apes are not monkeys. (O)
D: No apes are monkeys. (E)
So, the propositions A (Some apes are monkeys) and C (Some apes are not monkeys) correspond to the I and
O forms, respectively. Therefore, the pair that can’t both be false, although they may both be true, are A and
C. The correct option is (c).
13. (c): Qualitative research is highly dependent upon contextual understanding, so we have to make high level of
efforts to get meaning and data. Researchers must carefully sift through the data to identify patterns, themes, and
insights, which can be subjective and complex.
On the other hand, quantitative research deals with measurable data, it provides us the data in a structured
form, we simply need to apply some statistical technique to get the data.
14. (d): In politics, a spin doctor is someone who controls and manages the public perception of a politician or
political party. He uses the technique of framing to present information in a way that puts a particular
interpretation on an issue, aiming to influence public perception and, ultimately, the outcome of elections.
15. (b): The values of acidic, neutral, and basic are typically measured on the pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14
and that indicates the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.
Let’s understand the concept in detail for future questions. The pH of a solution is calculated as the negative
logarithm of the concentration of hydrogen ions, or [H
+
], in moles per litre. The pH value indicates how acidic
or alkaline the solution is. For example, a pH of 1 has a large concentration of hydrogen ions and is very
acidic, whereas a pH of 13 has a low concentration of hydrogen ions and is very alkaline. If OH
–
 increases in
a solution, then the pH values also increase. This is because OH
–
 and H
+
 are inversely related in a solution.
Their total is always 14. A solution with a pH of 5 is ten times more acidic than one with a pH of 6, and a
solution with a pH of 3 is a hundred times more acidic than one with a pH of 5.
1. Acidic: Solutions with a pH value less than 7 are considered acidic. The lower the pH value,
the more acidic the solution is. For example:
pH of 0-2 would be strongly acidic (like battery acid). Lemon juice has a pH value of
2-3, tamarind of 2 - 3.5, dahi (yogurt) of 4.5 - 5.5.
pH of 3-6 would be weakly acidic (like vinegar or black coffee).
2. Neutral: A solution with a pH value of exactly 7 is considered neutral. In case of water the
temperature is 25°C. (Some examples of neutral (or almost neutral) are coconut water (7 -
7.5), rainwater (7), sugarcane (6.5 - 7).
3. Basic (Alkaline): Solutions with a pH value greater than 7 are considered basic or alkaline.
The higher the pH value, the more basic the solution. For example:
pH of 8-11 would be weakly basic (like baking soda or ocean water. This is used in
Indian dishes also).
pH of 12-14 would be strongly basic (like bleach or lye).
Soap (9-10.5), Milk of magnesia (antacid medication) has pH of 10.5.
16. (c): Statement (I) aligns with Dewey’s views on learning: Dewey emphasized active learning, hands-on
experiences, and collaboration as crucial for meaningful learning. He believed that learners should demonstrate
their understanding through creative expression and collaborative projects, not just rote memorization and
passive reception of information.
Statement (II) contradicts Piaget’s theory of cognitive development: Piaget proposed that learning is
inherently tied to a child’s developmental stage. Each stage has specific cognitive abilities and limitations that
shape how children learn and understand the world. Therefore, learning cannot be entirely independent of
these stages.
Thus, (c) is the correct answer.
17. (c): Metacommunication refers to the process of communicating about communication. It’s the non-verbal cues,
gestures, tone, context, and other factors that surround the primary message and help to interpret its meaning and
intention. Keep that in view, (c) is the correct answer.
18. (d): A says that ‘Some apes are not non-monkeys’. This is O- type proposition. Without double negation, the
sentence simply means “Some apes are monkeys.” This aligns with option (c): “Some monkeys are apes”. This
can be taken as an example of obverse statement as per the ‘generalised table’ comparison on page 6.18 (in Unit
6).
B. Similarly ‘Some monkeys are not non-apes’ (o) becomes ‘Some monkeys are apes’ with removal of double
negation. That is equivalent to Some monkeys are not apes in D. We can take Pick simple meanings of A and