Institutions of Higher Learning : Previous Years Questions | Higher Education System for UGC NET PDF Download

Q1: Which of the following Indian universities were modelled on the lines of University of London? Choose the correct answer from the options given below: (December 2023)
(a) A, B & C only
(b) B, C & D only
(c) C, D & E only
(d) A, B & D only
Ans: (a)
Sol: The Wood’s Dispatch of 1854 campaigned for the creation of universities in the three major towns of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, modelled on the lines of the University of London. 
Charles Wood was the president of the board of control of the East India company in India. 

Q2: Given below are two statements: 
Statement I: The rating system of higher educational institutions followed in India does not touch the structural diversity of such institutions. 
Statement II: A universal and holistic rating system is not feasible in India. In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below: (December 2023)
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
Ans: (c)
Sol: Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
Statement I: “The rating system of higher educational institutions followed in India does not touch the structural diversity of such institutions.” This statement suggests that the existing rating system in India does not adequately address the structural diversity of higher educational institutions. This could mean that the current rating methods may not sufficiently consider the diverse nature of institutions.
Statement II: “A universal and holistic rating system is not feasible in India.” This statement suggests that having a universal and holistic rating system is not feasible in India. However, this statement is a broad assertion and might not be universally agreed upon. It may be argued that while challenges exist, creating a holistic rating system is not necessarily impossible. Given this, Statement I addresses a specific aspect of the rating system in India, and its truth can be acknowledged. However, Statement II is a generalisation that may not hold true for everyone, making it false. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) 
Statement I is true, but Statement II is false. 

Q3: Which of the following subjects were taught at the University of Navadwip in ancient India? Choose the correct answer from the options given below: (December 2023)
(a) A, B & C only
(b) B, C & D only
(c) C, D & E only
(d) A, B & E only
Ans: (c)
Sol: Nabadwip University was found by a scholar of Mithila. It used to follow the Nyaya Shastra to counter the philosophy of Buddhism. It was also known as Oxford of Bengal. Main branches of education in university were Logic, Grammar, Politics and Law. Nyaya shastra, mimansa shastra, tarka shastra were also associated with this university. 

Q4: In which of the following colleges, the European education was imparted through the medium of mother tongue before independence? (December 2023)
(a) Mayo College, Ajmer
(b) St. Stephen College, Delhi
(c) St. Xavier College, Calcutta
(d) University College, Lahore
Ans: (d)
Sol: University College, Lahore, played a notable role in imparting European education through the medium of mother tongue (vernacular languages) before India gained independence. The concept was part of an effort to make education more accessible to the local population by using languages familiar to them. This practice aimed to bridge the gap between the educational system introduced by the colonial powers and the linguistic diversity of the Indian subcontinent. The use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction was a significant aspect of educational policies during that period. 

Q5: Given below are two statements: 
Statement I: University of Punjab at Lahore and University of Allahabad were established during colonial rule in India. 
Statement II: The main reason of their establishment was the increasing demand in these places for higher education including ‘Oriental’ as well as modern European education. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below: (June 2023)
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
Ans: (a)
Sol: University of Punjab in Lahore which was established in 1882 and University of Allahabad was established in 1887. Both were established in the British rule period. Hence, Statement I is correct. The main purpose of their establishment was the increasing demand for higher education in the modern European education system and to promote the English education system in place of the Indian education system. Hence, Statement II is also correct. 

Q6: In the beginning of the 20th century in 1902, there were important engineering colleges at (June 2023)
(a) A, B & D only
(b) A, B, D & E only
(c) A, B, C & E only
(d) D only
Ans: (b)
Sol: From the given options, engineering colleges were present in 1902 at the following locations: Roorkee: Thomson college of civil engineering (estb. 1847) Madras: College of engineering, Guindy (estb. 1794.) Shibpur, Calcutta: Bengal Engineering College (est. 1856) Poona: College of engineering pune (est 1854) Harcourt Butler Technological institute in Kanpur was not present in 1902 it was established in 1920. 

Q7: In the light of Buddhist system of education students was expected to follow ‘Das Sikha Padam’. Which of the following does not represent the code of conduct: (June 2023)
(a) A & B
(b) B & C
(c) C & D
(d) C & E
Ans: (d)
Sol: Das Siksha Padani is a part of Buddhist education system. They are: 

1. Avoid Violence 
2. Avoid Stealing 
3. Avoid Bad Conduct 
4. Avoid untruth speech 
5. Avoid Intoxicating Material 
6. Avoid taking food at odd times 
7. Avoid Backbiting 
8. Stay away from dance and music 
9. Avoid luxury goods 
10. Renounce costly gift in charity 

To relish dance and music and to accept gifts are not included in that. 

Q8: Given below are two statements: 
Statement I: The Governor of the State is the Chancellor of deemed universities. 
Statement II: Deemed universities can design their own syllabus and course work. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below: (March 2023)
(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
(c) Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
(d) Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
Ans: (d)
Sol: 

• The Governor of the state is the official chancellor of State Universities. 
• The President is the chancellor of all Central Universities. 
• Deemed universities can assign degrees, define and construct syllabus on their own. 

Q9: Which of the following universities is an institute of Eminence? (September 2022)
(a) Central University of Gujrat, Gandhinagar
(b) University of Hyderabad
(c) Tezpur University
(d) Jamia Millia Islamia
Ans: (b)
Sol:

• Institute of Eminence is a recognition scheme for higher educational institutes in India which is set up by universities grant commission in 2017. 
• The aim of this scheme is to help the Institutions to become world class teaching and Research institutions. 
• The plan for this scheme was to declare 20 institutes as Institute of eminence from which 12 have been declared. 

Q10: In a State government university or Central University, recommendation of the Selection Committee for the recruitment of the faculty is approved by the (September 2022)
(a) Academic Council
(b) Executive Council
(c) Finance Committee
(d) Chancellor of University
Ans: (b)
Sol: In a government university, recommendation of selection committee for the recruitment of faculty is approved by Executive Council. 

Q11: The ancient Indian University famous for specialised study in ‘Hinayana’ was (November 2020)
(a) Nadia University
(b) Nalanda University
(c) Vallabhi University
(d) Vikramshila University
Ans: (c)
Sol: Hinayana is a school of Buddhist study. The Hinayana school does not propose the divinity of lord buddha. It says that salvation can be achieved by every individual through self-control. Vallabhi university was an important centre for Hinayana study between 600–1200 CE. 

Q12: Given below are two statements—one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). 
Assertion (A): The impact of natural disasters does not depend on socio-economic factors. 
Reason (R): Natural disasters do not discriminate between people of a society and other communities. 
In the light of the above two statements, choose the correct option: (December 2019)
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true
Ans: (d)
Sol: Natural disasters always have a long lasting impact on socio and economic conditions of the area. Increase in poverty, loss of infrastructure and negative impact on families are few factors which are linked to natural disasters. 

Q13: In which of the following Ancient Indian universities, the culture and civilisation of Tibet was built mainly through the writings of the schools? (June 2019)
(a) Nalanda
(b) Vikramshila
(c) Jagaddala
(d) Mithila
Ans: (b)
Sol: Vikramshila University was built in the 8th century by ruler Dharmapala. It was among the main centres for Buddhist learning.