UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ‘Third language should start in Class 6 and stop in Class 9’

Q1. Under the three-language formula as revised by the National Education Policy 2020, at least how many of the three languages studied by a child must be native to India?

  • A. At least one
  • B. At least two
  • C. All three
  • D. None is required to be native to India

Q2. With reference to the language provisions of the National Education Policy 2020, consider the following statements: 1. No language shall be imposed on any State. 2. Sanskrit is to be offered as an option at all levels of education. 3. The medium of instruction should be the mother tongue/home language at least until Grade 5, preferably till Grade 8. 4. The three-language formula was first introduced by NEP 2020. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. No language shall be imposed on any State.
  2. Sanskrit is to be offered as an option at all levels of education.
  3. The medium of instruction should be the mother tongue/home language at least until Grade 5, preferably till Grade 8.
  4. The three-language formula was first introduced by NEP 2020.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the evolution of the three-language formula in India: 1. It was first recommended by the National Policy on Education, 1968. 2. It was reiterated by the National Policy on Education, 1986. 3. Its continued implementation with greater flexibility is provided for in NEP 2020. 4. It was first recommended by the University Education (Radhakrishnan) Commission, 1948-49. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was first recommended by the National Policy on Education, 1968.
  2. It was reiterated by the National Policy on Education, 1986.
  3. Its continued implementation with greater flexibility is provided for in NEP 2020.
  4. It was first recommended by the University Education (Radhakrishnan) Commission, 1948-49.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing how the three-language formula was originally framed for different States: 1. In Hindi-speaking States it prescribed Hindi, English and a modern Indian language, preferably a southern language. 2. In non-Hindi-speaking States it prescribed the regional language, Hindi and English. 3. NEP 2020 revised the formula by removing English from it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In Hindi-speaking States it prescribed Hindi, English and a modern Indian language, preferably a southern language.
  2. In non-Hindi-speaking States it prescribed the regional language, Hindi and English.
  3. NEP 2020 revised the formula by removing English from it.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Consider the following statements about the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs): 1. They are co-educational residential schools providing free education from Class VI to Class XII. 2. They are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). 3. Admission to Class VI is made through the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test. 4. They charge tuition fees from students whose families are above the poverty line. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. They are co-educational residential schools providing free education from Class VI to Class XII.
  2. They are affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
  3. Admission to Class VI is made through the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test.
  4. They charge tuition fees from students whose families are above the poverty line.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q6. With reference to the structure of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya scheme, consider the following statements: 1. Lateral entry to JNVs is available in Class IX and Class XI. 2. JNVs are administered by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education. 3. At least one JNV is proposed to be established in each district of the country. 4. JNVs are intended predominantly for children from urban areas. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. Lateral entry to JNVs is available in Class IX and Class XI.
  2. JNVs are administered by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education.
  3. At least one JNV is proposed to be established in each district of the country.
  4. JNVs are intended predominantly for children from urban areas.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas whose establishment in Tamil Nadu is under challenge before the Supreme Court are administered by which one of the following autonomous organisations under the Ministry of Education?

  • A. Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti
  • B. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
  • C. National Council of Educational Research and Training
  • D. Central Board of Secondary Education

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding the Tamil Nadu–JNV dispute heard by the Supreme Court: 1. Tamil Nadu follows a two-language policy of Tamil and English. 2. The State's plea challenges a Madras High Court order directing the establishment of JNVs in every district. 3. Education falls in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. 4. The Supreme Court passed a binding order directing the Centre to shift the third language to Class 6. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Tamil Nadu follows a two-language policy of Tamil and English.
  2. The State's plea challenges a Madras High Court order directing the establishment of JNVs in every district.
  3. Education falls in the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
  4. The Supreme Court passed a binding order directing the Centre to shift the third language to Class 6.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q9. In the context of Justice Nagarathna's remark on the timing of the third language, the term 'oral observation' by a court most precisely means:

  • A. A binding directive that the Government must always comply with
  • B. A non-binding remark made during a hearing that does not form part of the formal written order
  • C. A written judgment that finally disposes of the appeal
  • D. A ruling delivered exclusively while deciding a review petition

Q10. The new three-language school policy commencing at Class 9, on which the Supreme Court made its observation, is a curriculum policy notified by which one of the following bodies under the Department of School Education and Literacy?

  • A. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
  • B. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
  • C. National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
  • D. Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

Q11. 'Education' was transferred from the State List to the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution by which one of the following constitutional amendments?

  • A. The 42nd Amendment, 1976
  • B. The 44th Amendment, 1978
  • C. The 73rd Amendment, 1992
  • D. The 86th Amendment, 2002

Q12. By the convention of seniority, Justice B.V. Nagarathna is in line to become which one of the following?

  • A. The first woman Chief Justice of India
  • B. The first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India
  • C. The first woman Attorney General of India
  • D. The first woman Chief Justice of a High Court