UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Inquiry into private universities is not a witch-hunt, says SC

Q1. In the Supreme Court's 2026 proceedings on private universities, which single highest-ranking official was specifically ordered to personally file the Union Government's affidavit (and was the subject of the Court's displeasure when the Centre instead filed through a subordinate)?

  • A. The Cabinet Secretary
  • B. The Secretary, Department of Higher Education
  • C. The Chairman, University Grants Commission
  • D. The Attorney General for India

Q2. With reference to the distinction between a 'private university' and a 'deemed-to-be university' as relevant to the Supreme Court's 2026 inquiry, consider the following statements: 1. A private university is established by an Act of a State Legislature. 2. A deemed-to-be university is declared by the Central Government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. 3. A deemed-to-be university, unlike a private university, is statutorily entitled to use the word 'University' in its official name. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A private university is established by an Act of a State Legislature.
  2. A deemed-to-be university is declared by the Central Government under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
  3. A deemed-to-be university, unlike a private university, is statutorily entitled to use the word 'University' in its official name.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. In its order preceding the 2026 hearings, how many distinct categories of authorities did the Supreme Court direct to file personally affirmed affidavits on the regulation of private universities?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q4. The Supreme Court's 2026 scrutiny of private universities centred on the monitoring lapses of which statutory regulatory body, also directed to disclose its compliance-oversight mechanisms?

  • A. University Grants Commission (UGC)
  • B. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
  • C. National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
  • D. National Medical Commission (NMC)