UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — NITI Aayog flags low student retention, learning outcomes

Q1. Samagra Shiksha, the umbrella centrally sponsored scheme for school education referenced in the NITI Aayog 2026 report on the school education system, is implemented by which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education
  • B. Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education
  • C. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • D. Ministry of Women and Child Development

Q2. With reference to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as contrasted with the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986, consider the following statements: 1. NEP 2020 replaced the 10+2 curricular structure with a 5+3+3+4 structure. 2. The target of public expenditure on education equal to 6% of GDP was articulated for the first time by NEP 2020. 3. NEP 2020 launched the NIPUN Bharat Mission for foundational literacy and numeracy, which had no equivalent in NPE 1986. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NEP 2020 replaced the 10+2 curricular structure with a 5+3+3+4 structure.
  2. The target of public expenditure on education equal to 6% of GDP was articulated for the first time by NEP 2020.
  3. NEP 2020 launched the NIPUN Bharat Mission for foundational literacy and numeracy, which had no equivalent in NPE 1986.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. According to the NITI Aayog 2026 report on the school education system in India (based on UDISE+ 2024-25), approximately what proportion of India's schools offer a continuous educational journey from Grade 1 to Grade 12?

  • A. About 2.4%
  • B. About 5.4%
  • C. About 11.4%
  • D. About 18.4%

Q4. The right to free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years, whose deficient realisation is highlighted by the NITI Aayog 2026 school education report, is a fundamental right under which one of the following provisions of the Constitution of India?

  • A. Article 21A, inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002
  • B. Article 45, as a Directive Principle of State Policy
  • C. Article 46, as a Directive Principle of State Policy
  • D. Article 51A(k), as a Fundamental Duty