UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Beyond political reshuffles, renew education in India

Q1. In the context of the National Education Policy 2020, the '5+3+3+4' design refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The new curricular and pedagogical structure of school education, comprising the Foundational, Preparatory, Middle and Secondary stages
  • B. The phased financial outlay under which public spending on education is to be raised to 6% of GDP
  • C. The tiered architecture of the Higher Education Commission of India and its verticals
  • D. The graded rollout schedule for making mother-tongue instruction universal across all States

Q2. Which one of the following is the nodal Union ministry responsible for operationalising the National Education Policy 2020?

  • A. Ministry of Education
  • B. Ministry of Human Resource Development
  • C. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • D. Ministry of Culture

Q3. Which one of the following best describes the institutional character of the National Testing Agency (NTA) as approved by the Union Cabinet?

  • A. An autonomous, self-sustained premier testing organisation registered as a society
  • B. A statutory body created by an Act of Parliament
  • C. A constitutional body established under Article 324
  • D. An attached office functioning directly as a wing of the Ministry of Education

Q4. The High-Level Committee of Experts constituted by the Ministry of Education to recommend reforms in the examination process and the functioning of the NTA had how many members?

  • A. Seven
  • B. Five
  • C. Nine
  • D. Eleven

Q5. Regarding the two distinct measures taken by the Ministry of Education following the NEET (UG) 2024 controversy, consider the following statements: 1. The High-Level Committee of Experts chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan was mandated to recommend reforms in the examination process, and not to investigate the alleged irregularities. 2. The matter of alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) 2024 examination was entrusted to the CBI for comprehensive investigation. 3. The High-Level Committee of Experts was chaired by a former Chairman of ISRO. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The High-Level Committee of Experts chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan was mandated to recommend reforms in the examination process, and not to investigate the alleged irregularities.
  2. The matter of alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) 2024 examination was entrusted to the CBI for comprehensive investigation.
  3. The High-Level Committee of Experts was chaired by a former Chairman of ISRO.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 applies to public examinations conducted by which of the following authorities? 1. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) 2. National Testing Agency (NTA) 3. State Public Service Commissions 4. Staff Selection Commission (SSC) Which of the above are correctly identified as authorities covered by the Act?

  1. Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
  2. National Testing Agency (NTA)
  3. State Public Service Commissions
  4. Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. With reference to the penal scheme of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, consider the following statements: 1. Candidates or students are kept outside the purview of the Act's penal provisions. 2. Service providers can face a fine up to Rs 1 crore and debarment. 3. Persons resorting to unfair means face imprisonment of three to five years and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh. 4. Commission of organised crime under the Act attracts imprisonment of up to ten years and a fine of not less than Rs 1 crore. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Candidates or students are kept outside the purview of the Act's penal provisions.
  2. Service providers can face a fine up to Rs 1 crore and debarment.
  3. Persons resorting to unfair means face imprisonment of three to five years and a fine up to Rs 10 lakh.
  4. Commission of organised crime under the Act attracts imprisonment of up to ten years and a fine of not less than Rs 1 crore.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 4