UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — NCERT issues apology over graft reference in textbook

Q1. The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which recently issued an 'unconditional and unqualified apology' over a chapter in its Class 8 Social Science textbook, functions as an autonomous body under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Education
  • B. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • C. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • D. Ministry of Culture

Q2. Which one of the following is the apex resource organisation set up by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on academic matters related to school education?

  • A. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
  • B. National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA)
  • C. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
  • D. National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)

Q3. With reference to the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) regime in India, consider the following statements: 1. The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), 2023 is the first NCF to be released after the adoption of the National Education Policy, 2020. 2. The withdrawn Class 8 Social Science textbook 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond' was developed under the National Curriculum Framework, 2005. 3. The National Curriculum Framework, 2005 was prepared under the chairpersonship of Prof. Yash Pal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), 2023 is the first NCF to be released after the adoption of the National Education Policy, 2020.
  2. The withdrawn Class 8 Social Science textbook 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond' was developed under the National Curriculum Framework, 2005.
  3. The National Curriculum Framework, 2005 was prepared under the chairpersonship of Prof. Yash Pal.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. The new generation of NCERT school textbooks, including the recently withdrawn Class 8 Social Science textbook 'Exploring Society: India and Beyond', has been developed under which one of the following frameworks?

  • A. National Curriculum Framework, 2005
  • B. National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), 2023
  • C. National Policy on Education, 1986 (as modified in 1992)
  • D. National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage, 2022

Q5. Consider the following organisations: 1. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) 2. National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) 3. University Grants Commission (UGC) 4. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Which of the above are correctly identified as autonomous bodies functioning under the Union Ministry of Education?

  1. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
  2. National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA)
  3. University Grants Commission (UGC)
  4. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4