UGC NET Paper 1: Held on 4th Jan 2022 Shift 2 (Previous Year Paper)

The theory of Zone of Proximal Development was proposed by Vygotsky.

Key Points

• According to **Vygotsky,( a Russian psychologist and a contemporary of Jean Piaget) ZPD (**Zone of Proximal Development ) is the difference between the present level of development attained without anyone’s assistance and the potential level of development that can be attained under the guidance of MKO.
• However, the level of provided knowledge should be appropriate according to the child’s comprehensive ability.
• Language is the way that a child communicates with others after they are born and they continue to learn by interacting with those around them.
• Building on his idea of social interaction as the basis for learning, he broached the value of a mentor or teacher in the life of a student.
• Vygotsky has developed a sociocultural approach to cognitive development.
• He developed his theories at around the same time as Jean Piaget was starting to develop his ideas (1920’s and 30’s), but he died at the age of 38 and so his theories are incomplete - although some of his writings are still being translated from Russian.

Hence, the correct answer is Vygotsky.

The process of converting materials from physical copies to electronic versions is known as digitization.

Key Points

• The main goals of digitalization are to improve access to library materials and to preserve them.
• A digital library is one in which a major amount of the contents are available in a machine-readable format that can be accessed by computers rather than print or microform.
• Users may search for collections quickly and exhaustively from anywhere at any time because of digitalization.
• In libraries, the digitization process began with the following services in the following order:

1. ​Cataloging services. ​
2. Indexing and abstracting services for periodicals
3. Periodicals and big reference work.
4. The publishing of books.

In libraries, the process of digitization began with services in the order: Cataloguing services⇒ Periodical indexing and abstracting services⇒  Periodicals and large reference works⇒ Book publishing.

Thus the correct sequence is B, C, A, D

Additional Information

• Information will be accessible to anyone instead of just a small group of academics thanks to the digitization of library holdings.
• This potential has resulted in the rapid rise of the digital preservation profession, as well as institutional digitization programs aimed at improving access.

Short-term memory also known as working memory is made up of at least two storage buffers: one for visuospatial data and another for verbal data.

Key PointsStatement I: Short‐term memory encompasses encoding and short‐term storage and manipulation.

• Short-term memory (STM) refers to memory systems that can store a finite amount of data for a finite amount of time (seconds).
• Encoding is transforming internal thoughts and external events into short-term memory. This is the process in which the information is processed and categorized for storage and retrieval.
• STM is the mental process of storing, maintaining, and manipulating information that is no longer present in the sensory environment.
• STM consists of storing and rehearsal components, with the latter preventing short-term forgetting by maintaining events in memory.

​Thus, Statement I is correct. 

Statement II: Short‐term memory has a limited capacity.

• STM aids in the acquisition of new knowledge as well as aspects of speech comprehension and production.
• Short-term memory stores memories which can then be transferred to long-term memory.
• The capacity is approximately seven items and the duration of short-term memory is limited to 15-30 seconds.

​So, Statement II is correct. 

Therefore, Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.

Scheduling is the art of planning activities so that one can achieve the goals and priorities in the time that is available.

Key Points

• During the learning hours of a given period, a timetable assures that each class has just one teacher.
• Use of Scheduler to identify the optimal time for everyone, send out invitations, reschedule appointments, find focus time, schedule across time zones, and add online meetings.
• Some examples of tools will you prepare for schedules and class timetables are Adobe Spark, Canva, Coursicle, Trello, Microsoft Outlook, Google Calendar, and Doodle.
• Trello is a popular, straightforward, and straightforward collaboration application that allows you to organize projects and everything associated with them into boards.
• Microsoft Outlook is used for Scheduling assistants and sends notifications through auto-generated mails.
• Google Calendar is a calendar scheduling and time management tool. It's Google's gift to folks who wish to get more organized and efficient with their time.

So, the tools that can be used to prepare schedules and class timetables are Microsoft Outlook, Trello, and Google Calendar. 

Additional Information

• KOHA is a very effective library management system for delivering a variety of library services to users, such as library material circulation, cataloging, and new arrivals.
• Tally is an Enterprise resource planning (ERP) accounting software package that is used to record the day-to-day business data of a company. ​

Stevens has classified the different types of measurement scales into four categories: 

Hence, the correct matching is A ‐IV , B ‐III , C ‐II , D ‐I

Interpersonal communication is commonly defined as having both verbal and nonverbal components. Whereas verbal communication refers to the words we use in communication, nonverbal communication is commonly understood as the process of communicating between people by sending and receiving wordless (mostly visual) messages. Such visual messages can be conveyed via gestures and touch, body language posture, or facial expression and eye contact.

 Important PointsChronemics-

• Chronemics is a discipline concerned with the study of a person’s use of time.
• Chronemics can help us understand how people perceive and structure time in their conversations and interpersonal relationships.
• Communication, by its very definition as a process, indicates that it is a time-bound activity.
• Time serves as a basic organizing concept for social interaction in a variety of ways.
• The structure of time itself may communicate messages about proximity and immediacy.

Additional Information

• Proxemics-which deals with the use of space in communication. Space is divided into four categories: intimate, personal, social, and public. There are many factors that define the use of space: age, gender, cultural and ethical backgrounds, personality, physical characteristics, attitudes, emotions of people, interpersonal dynamics.
• Oculesics- which is concerned with eye contact and behavior.
• Haptics involves the use of touch.
• Vocalic is concerned with the tonal quality of the voice.
• Kinesics which has to do with body movements

Therefore, the correct answer is Time.

The term "Semantic Barriers" refers to misunderstandings between sender and receiver caused by different meanings of words and other symbols used in communication. Semantic barriers typically arise when information is not presented in simple language and contains words or symbols with multiple meanings.

Important PointsThe main language barriers are as follows:

• Bad Expression:
• Symbols, or Words with Different Meanings
• Faulty Translation
• Unclarified Assumptions

Key Points

Varied Connotations-

• Connotation refers to the implied meaning of a word that elicits personal reactions and qualitative judgments.
• Connotation barriers occur when people use words with different meanings in different abstract situations, contexts, and emotions.
• For example, the word beautiful and confidence has a positive connotation but can have any of the meanings depending on the context in which it is used.

Therefore, the correct answer is varied connotations.

Additional Information

Varied Denotations -The denotation is the literal meaning of the word; it simply shows the name of the object without implying any negative or positive qualities. The detonation barriers arise as a result of the sender and receiver using different definitions and meanings of the message's words.

In* Pull Technology types of communication, the client initiates a transaction by requesting information from a server*** 

Important Points

• Pull technology refers to clients that make requests to servers this is the traditional way to structure a client/ server architecture.
• Pull technology is used when we type a URL into the address bar of our browser and the browser sends that request over the Internet to a server.
• Pull technology is used whenever data is transferred from a client to a server in response to a request.

Additional Information

• Push technology refers to servers that initiate information updates to clients.
• Push technology is an internet communication system in which a central web server or publisher generates the transaction request.
• Push technology is the polar opposite of pull technology, in which customers or receivers request information delivery.
• This term refers to the pre-programmed news, weather, or other selected information that is updated on a regular basis on a user's desktop interface.
• Web browsing applications make use of push technologies as well.

Therefore, the correct answer is Pull Technology.

The process of exchanging messages or information or ideas from sender to receiver is known as communication.

Key Points

• Upward Communication occurs when information flows from the bottom of the organization (team members, employees, and workforce) to the top of the organization (managers, senior staff).
• This proceeds in a reverse hierarchical fashion, step by step.
• Rather than the traditional method of communication, the advanced chain of transferring information is used in this mode of communication.
• A leaves application from a clerk to the principal of the institution is an example of Upward Communication. As the direction of flow of communication in upward communication flows from bottom to top.

Additional Information

Downward Communication-

• When information flows from the upper level of the organization (managers, senior staff) to the lower level of the organization, communication occurs (team members, workforce).
• This is done in a hierarchical fashion, step by step.
• The formal chain of information transfer is followed in this mode of communication, and the message is made to reach the ground-level team as precisely as possible.

Therefore, the correct answer is Upward Communication.

The process of communication has multiple barriers. The intended message will frequently be disrupted and misinterpreted, resulting in misunderstanding and communication failure. The Barriers to effective communication could be of many types like linguistic, psychological, emotional, physical, cultural, etc.

Important Points Assertion A: Being judgemental on the part of a teacher is a barrier to communication.

• Moralizing, being judgemental and comments of consolation are barriers to communication.
• Therefore, any parameter that limits the purpose or channel of communication between the transmitter and the receiver is a barrier to communication.

Hence, this statement is correct.

Reason R: For effective learning outcomes, the teacher should expose the ignorance of students.

• This statement is incorrect as a teacher should not expose the ignorance of the students but rather work with their doubts and reasoning.
• Parents are responsible for keeping children flexible, creative, trained, and open to change.
• Parent send their children to school (most probably to some schools in particular but not to others), but then we also try to fill in their free remaining time slots with all sorts of lessons: sport, art, music, drama, religious doctrine, and so on and so forth.
• Students from different backgrounds have different educational levels and a teacher should consider the individual difference of the students in the classroom instead of exposing the fact.
• It will help students to improve for their future.

Therefore, the correct answer is A is true but R is false.

Given: 

The series 358, 364, 370, _ _ _ 

Concept used:

a_n = a + (n - 1) × d

Where,

a_n be the last term.

a be the first term.

n be the total number of terms in series.

d be the common difference between two terms.

Calculation:

The series 358, 364, 370, _ _ _ 

Here,

a = 358

d = 364 - 358 = 6

n = 12

an = a + (n - 1) × d

a₁₂ = 358 + (12 - 1) × 6

a12 = 358 + 66

a12 = 424

∴ Option 2 is correct.

Given:

Statement I: An item is sold for ₹145 at a loss of 20%. The cost price of the item is ₹185.

Statement II: The average of first 30 natural numbers is 15.5.

Concept used: 

Loss = cost price - selling price

Loss % = loss × 100/cost price

Sum of n natural numbers = n (n + 1)/2 ; n be the natural number.

Average = Sum of all observations / total number of observation

Calculation: 

Statement 1: 

Selling price of item = Rs.145

Cost price of item = Rs. 185

Loss % = 20 %

Loss = Rs.185 - Rs.145 = Rs. 45

Loss % = loss × 100/cost price

Loss % = 45 × 100/185

⇒ 24.32% ≠ 20%

∴ Statement 1 is false.

Statement 2: 

The average of first 30 natural numbers is 15.5.

Here, n = 30

Sum of 3o natural numbers = 30 (30 + 1)/2 = 465

Average = 465/30 = 15.5 

∴ Statement 2 is correct.

∴ Option 4 is correct.

Given: 

Given five fractions 11/17, 5/6, 2/3, 4/11, 6/11

Arrange in ascending or descending order.

Concept used:

Convert all the fractions in decimal form after dividing.

Calculation:

Here,

⇒ 11/17, 5/6, 2/3, 4/11, 6/11

⇒ 11/17 = 0.647

⇒ 5/6 = 0.833

⇒ 2/3 = 0.666

⇒ 4/11 = 0.363

⇒ 6/11 = 0.545

⇒ 4/11 < 6/11 < 11/17 < 2/3 < 5/6

⇒ D < E < A < C < B

∴ Option 1 is correct.

Given: 

The angle made by the minute hand of a clock while moving from 3:45 pm to 6pm is:

Concept used: 

In 5 minute, minute hand moves = 30º

In 1 hour, minute hand moves = 360º

Calculation:

Minute hand move from 3:45pm to 6pm in every five minutes = 27 times 

Total angle made by minute hand from 3:45pm to 6pm = 27 × 30º = 810º

∴ Option 3 is correct.

Given: 

Four bells begin to toll together and then toll at intervals of 3, 5, 7 and 10 seconds respectively.

Concept used:

LCM: The least common multiple of two numbers is the smallest non zero common number which is divisible by both numbers.

We take LCM of these seconds.

Calculation:

Four bells begins to toll together at the intervals = 3, 5, 7 and 10 seconds

LCM (3, 5, 7, 10) = 210 seconds.

They will toll together next after 210 seconds.

∴ Option 3 is correct.

Arguments where the goal (to achieve strong and reliable beliefs) is to provide the best available evidence for the conclusion; the nature of the inferential claim is such that it is unlikely that the premises are true and the conclusion false. Therefore in inductive statements, arguments are not valid or invalid like in deduction. But they are either strong or weak in nature.

Key Points

• Inductive Reasoning is stat-based. It purely feeds on past observations and hence makes inferences on its understanding. Due to this, the conclusions are never absolute but probabilistic in nature.
• An inductive argument is an argument that is intended by the arguer to be strong enough that, if the premises were to be true, then it would be unlikely that the conclusion is false.
• So, an inductive argument’s success or strength is a matter of degree, unlike with deductive arguments.
• There is no standard term for a successful inductive argument, but this article uses the term “strong.”
• Inductive arguments that are not strong are said to be weak; there is no sharp line between strong and weak.
• The argument about the dog biting me would be stronger if we couldn’t think of any relevant conditions for why the next time will be different than previous times.
• The argument also will be stronger the more times there were when I did walk by the dog.
• The argument will be weaker the fewer times I have walked by the dog.
• It will be weaker if relevant conditions about the past time will be different next time, such as that in the past the dog has been behind a closed gate, but next time the gate will be open.

Therefore, the correct answer is option A and C only.

The square of opposition is a chart that was introduced within classical (categorical) logic to represent the logical relationships holding between certain propositions in virtue of their form.

Key Points

Hence the correct match is A ‐IV , B ‐III , C ‐II , D ‐I

Logical fallacies are flawed, deceptive, or false arguments that can be proven wrong with reasoning. There are two main types of fallacies:

• A  formal fallacy is an argument with a premise and conclusion that doesn't hold up to scrutiny.
• An informal fallacy is an error in the form, content, or context of the argument.

Important Points

• The existential fallacy, or existential instantiation, is a formal fallacy. In the existential fallacy, one presupposes that a class has members when one is not supposed to do so; i.e., when one should not assume existential import.
• Not to be confused with the 'Affirming the consequent', which states "A causes B; B, therefore A".
• One example would be: "Every unicorn has a horn on its forehead".
• It does not imply that there are any unicorns at all in the world, and thus it cannot be assumed that, if the statement were true, somewhere there is a unicorn in the world (with a horn on its forehead).
• The statement, if assumed true, implies only that if there were any unicorns, each would definitely have a horn on its forehead.

All men who understand women are potentially perfect husbands.

All potentially perfect husbands are men of infinite patience.

Hence, this is an example of an existential fallacy.

Additional InformationTypes of fallacy are as follows-

• The fallacy of Illicit Major: Illicit major is a formal fallacy committed in a categorical syllogism that is invalid because its major term is undistributed in the major premise but distributed in the conclusion.
• The fallacy of Illicit Minor: Illicit minor is a formal fallacy committed in a categorical syllogism that is invalid because its minor term is undistributed in the minor premise but distributed in the conclusion.
• The fallacy of Undistributed Middle: The fallacy of the undistributed middle (Latin: non distributio medii) is a formal fallacy that is committed when the middle term in a categorical syllogism is not distributed in either the minor premise or the major premise. It is thus a syllogistic fallacy.

Anumana- In Indian logic inference is known as “Anumāna.” It is knowledge (mānā) that arises after (anu) other knowledge. Thus the literal meaning of anumāna is knowledge which comes after some other knowledge. 

 Important Points

According to the Application, anumāna is of three kinds:

1. Kevalānvayi: An inference is called Kevalānvayi when it is based on a middle term which is only positively related to the major term. For example, All knowable objects are namable. The Pot is a knowable object. Therefore, The Pot is a namable object.
2. Kevalavyatireki: An inference is kevalavyatireki when it is based on a middle term which is only negatively related to the major term. It is based on the invariable concomitance between the middle term, which is established by the method of agreement in absence (Vyatireka) since there can be no positive instances of agreement in presence between the terms. For example,  No non-soul substance has life. All beings possessing animal functions have life, Therefore, all beings possessing animal functions have a soul.
3. Anvaya-Vyatireki: An inference is anvaya-vyatireki when it is based on a middle term which is both positively and negatively related to the major term.
4. The universal relation (vyāpti) in this inference is established by the method of agreement in the presence (anvaya) and agreement in absence (vyātireka). (a) All Smokey objects are fiery     The hill is smoky, Therefore, the hill is Fiery. (b) No non-fiery objects are Smokey. The hill is Smoky. Therefore, the hill is fiery

In the Nyāya system, Kevalānvayi is an inference called when it is based in its middle term being only positively related to the major term.

Nyāya means correct thinking with proper arguments and valid reasoning. Thus, Nyāya philosophy is known as tarkashāstra (the science of reasoning); pramānashāstra (the science of logic and epistemology); hetuvidyā (the science of causes); vādavidyā (the science of debate); and anviksiki (the science of critical study). 

Important PointsStatement I: In the Nyāya system of inference, the major term (sādhya) can exist without the middle term (hetu).

• Corresponding to the minor, major, and middle terms of the syllogism, inference in Indian logic contains three terms, namely, Paksa, Sadhya and Hetu. While the Paksa is the subject, the Sadhya is the object of inference.
• The third term of inference is called the linga or sign because it serves to indicate that which we do not perceive. It is found once in relation to the Paksa or minor term and then in relation to the Sadhya or the major term.
• That is, the paksa is related to the sadhya through their common relation to the hetu or middle term.
• In the Nyāya system of inference, the major term (sādhya) can exist without the middle term (hetu). Hence, this statement is correct.

Statement II: According to the Nyāya system, the middle term (hetu) cannot exist without the major term (sādhya).

• The term ‘hetu’ corresponds to middle term in Aristotelian logic. It is also known as ‘linga’, ‘mark’, and ‘sign’.
• It is found once in relation to sādhya and then in relation to paksa. Lastly, in the conclusion,
• it helps in establishing sādhya in paksa. Hence, this statement is correct.

Therefore, Both Statement I and Statement II are true.

Multivariate indicates that numerous dependent variables are combined to produce a single result.

Key PointsStatement I: Use of multivariate statistics in social research has increased due to the availability of statistical software.

• One of the most useful tools for determining links and analyzing patterns among big collections of data is multivariate analysis.
• With the advent and proliferation of computers in the mid-1950s, multivariate analysis began to play an increasingly important role in social research.
• Use of the multivariate analysis approach to perform very complex statistical analyses with the help of computers.

Thus Statement I is true.

Statement II: Multivariate statistics are easier to comprehend as compared to bivariate statistics.

• Bivariate statistics is Inferential statistics that deals with the relationship between two variables.
• It looks at how one variable compares to another or how one variable influences another.
• When there are more than two variables in a data set multivariate analysis is a more advanced form of statistical analysis technique which makes it complex as compared to the bivariate statistics.

Thus Statement II is false. 

Therefore, Statement I is true but Statement II is false.

A focus group is a research method that gathers a small group of people in a moderated setting to answer questions.

Key Points

• The participants are picked based on predetermined demographic characteristics, and the questions are intended to elucidate a topic of interest.
• Qualitative research includes focus groups.
• A focus group is a well-prepared discussion led by a moderator with the goal of gathering feedback on a specific topic which helps in understanding the background of the research.
• Focus groups can be used by traditional social science researchers for understanding previously obtained quantitative results.
• Focus group conversation is occasionally mistaken for an interview, particularly semi-structured "one-to-one" and "group interviews."
• The inclination to reveal people's perceptions and values is common to each of these strategies.
• It is also helpful in generating a level of understanding about influences in the participants' world.

Thus, Focus groups as a technique are especially valuable in the following scenarios such as for obtaining general background about the topic or issue, interpreting previously obtained quantitative results, and generating a level of understanding about influences in the participants' world.

Additional InformationAdvantages of the Focus group

• They're easy to put together and the results have a lot of face validity.
• Even if you compensate the participants and are usually affordable.
• A focus group takes far less time than a survey or experiment.
• The outcomes of focus groups are frequently more understandable and intuitive than raw statistics.

Key Points

• The smallest unit of a digital image or graphic that can be displayed and represented on a digital display device is a pixel.
• In digital graphics, a pixel is the basic logical unit.
• Pixels are used to create an image, video, text, or any other visible thing on a computer display.
• A pixel can also be referred to as a picture element (pix = picture, el = element).
• The number of pixels in a given area is referred to as pixel density.
• Pixel density is commonly measured in pixels-per-inch (PPI) 

because screen sizes are also sold in inches, but pixels-per-centimeter (PPCM) is also used.

• A higher PPI, or pixel density, means that you get a whole lot more detail for anything that's displayed on your screen.
• Which means better images, better fonts, smoother lines, or in other words, higher quality.

Therefore, the correct answer is the Number of pixels per square centimeter.

Amorphous silicon is the non-crystalline form of silicon.

Important Points

Statement I: Amorphous silicon is a highly light-absorbing material.

• Amorphous silicon solar cells are commercially available and can be produced on a variety of substrates ranging from glass to flexible thin foils.
• Cells are built-in p-i-n or n-i-p configurations, where p and n represent thinly doped (amorphous or nanocrystalline) layers, and the absorber layer is an intrinsic undoped layer.
• Cells are deliberately made thin (<300 nm thick) such that the space-charge region extends through the entire absorber (i-layer).
• The very small thickness is possible because amorphous silicon has stronger light absorption than crystalline Si (a direct bandgap) and light-trapping schemes have been developed to enhance the optical absorption.

Hence statement I is correct. 

Statement II: Amorphous silicon is not suitable material for solar cell development due to its non‐crystal properties

• Amorphous (thin-film) silicon is widely acknowledged as the premier low-cost material of the photovoltaic industry.
• In 1976, Carlson and Wronski invented a new type of thin-film solar cell that utilized amorphous silicon (a-Si) deposited from a glow discharge in silane (SiH4) and achieved a power conversion efficiency of 2.4% in AM-1 sunlight.
• After that, silicon thin-film solar cells have been widely used.
• Compared with a conventional solar cell, amorphous silicon thin-film solar cell is low cost and could be deposited on various substrates such as glass, stainless steel, ceramic plate, and plastic.
• Studies focused on the textured surfaces showed that they can improve absorption by reducing reflection. A textured surface can be conventionally obtained by either dry or wet ion etching.
• In 2011, Wong and Yu simulated a nanopillar-array-textured surface and came to the conclusion that it may enhance light absorption and increase the efficiency of the silicon-based solar cell.

Hence statement II is incorrect.

Therefore, based on the above descriptions statement I is true but statement II is false.

The disaster management Act was enacted in the country on 26^th December 2005. It came into effect in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami when the country lost thousands of lives. It was passed by the government for efficient management of disasters, including preparation of mitigation strategies, capacity-building, and related matters.

Key Points

• The Act aims to manage disasters, including the preparation of mitigation strategies, capacity-building, and a lot more.
• The Act also designates the Ministry of Home Affairs as the nodal ministry responsible for looking after the overall national disaster management in the country.
• The Act also contains provisions for financial mechanisms including the creation of funds for an emergency response like the National Disaster Response Fund.

Assertion A: Lockdown in 2020 in India was imposed under the Disaster Management Act

• The national lockdown in 2020 was imposed under DM Act as per Order dated 24-03-2020 of NDMA.
• To take measures for ensuring social distancing so as to prevent the spread of COVID 19.
• Additional guidelines were issued on the same day by the Ministry of Home Affairs, being the Ministry having administrative control of disaster management.
• To alleviate social sufferings, NDMA/SDMA were mandated to provide ‘minimum standard of relief’ to disaster-affected persons including relief in repayment of loans or grant of fresh loans on concessional terms.

Reason R: COVID 19 is the first pan‐India biological disaster being handled under the Disaster Management Act

• COVID-19 is the first pan India biological disaster being handled by the legal and constitutional institutions of the country.
• The lockdown has been imposed under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act).
• The legislative intent of the DM Act was to, “provide for the effective management of disasters”.
• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the DM Act is the nodal central body for coordinating disaster management, with the Prime Minister as its Chairperson.
• The NDMA lays down policies, plans, and guidelines for the management of disasters.

Therefore, according to the above statements, both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

A session of the Indian Parliament is the period during which a House meets almost every day uninterruptedly to manage the business. There are typically three sessions in a year. A session contains many meetings. The process of calling all members of the Parliament to meet is called Summoning of Parliament.

Key Points

• The maximum gap allowed between two sessions of the Parliament is 6 months.
• Hence the Parliament must meet at least two times a year.
• The president has the power to summon the sessions of the parliament.
• The constitution of India provides for a joint session in the case of deadlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
• The joint session of the parliament is called by the President according to Article 108.
• The joint session is presided over by the speaker of the Lok Sabha.
• In India, the Parliament conducts three sessions each year:
• Budget session: January/February to May.
• Monsoon session: July to August/September.
• Winter session: November to December.

Therefore, the time gap between the two sessions of the Parliament should not exceed 6 months.

The formation of the Inter-University Board (IUB) of India as an Apex Inter-University Organization on March 23, 1925, in a meeting of Vice-Chancellors/their representatives at Bombay University, was the culmination of the need to bring together all the universities in India on a common platform through a coordinating body, to protect the interest of the students as well as the universities. The objective was to promote university activities, especially by way of sharing information and increasing co-operation in the field of education, culture, sports, and allied areas. 

Key Points

• The present system of higher education dates back to Mountstuart Elphinstone`s minutes of 1823, which stressed the need for establishing schools for teaching English and the European sciences.
• Later, Lord Macaulay, in his minutes of 1835, advocated "efforts to make natives of the country thoroughly good English scholars".
• Sir Charles Woods Dispatch of 1854, famously known as the Magna Carta of English Education in India`, recommended creating a properly articulated scheme of education from the primary school to the university.
• It sought to encourage indigenous education and planned the formulation of a coherent policy of education.
• Subsequently, the universities of Calcutta, Bombay (now Mumbai), and Madras were set up in 1857, followed by the University of Allahabad in 1887.
• The Inter-University Board (later known as the Association of Indian Universities) was established in 1925 to promote university activities, by sharing information and cooperation in the field of education, culture, sports, and allied areas.
• The first attempt to formulate a national system of education in India came In 1944, with the Report of the Central Advisory Board of Education on Post War Educational Development in India, also known as the Sargeant Report.
• It recommended the formation of a University Grants Committee, which was formed in 1945 to oversee the work of the three Central Universities of Aligarh, Banaras, and Delhi.
• In 1947, the Committee was entrusted with the responsibility of dealing with all the then existing Universities.

Hence Inter-University Board set up in 1928 to promote University activities by sharing information and cooperation in the field of education, culture, sports, and allied areas are now known as the Association of Indian Universities

A teaching model is a blueprint or pattern that can be used to construct curricula, create instructional materials, and direct instruction in the classroom or elsewhere. 

Key Points 

Therefore, A-III, B ‐I, C ‐IV, and D ‐II are the correct match.

Key Points

• Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication technology that enables devices such as mobile phones, computers, and peripherals to wirelessly transmit data or voice over short distances.
• Bluetooth's purpose is to replace the cables that normally connect devices while keeping their communications secure.
• Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances using UHF radio waves in the ISM bands 2.402 to 2.48 GHz and for building personal area networks (PANs).

Additional InformationThe name "Bluetooth" is derived from Harald Bluetooth, a 10^th-century Danish king who was said to unite disparate, warring regional factions. Bluetooth technology, like its namesake, connects a diverse range of devices from a variety of industries via a unified communication standard.Therefore, the correct answer is a Short-range data transmission protocol.

​RAM (Random Access Memory) is the hardware in a computer that stores the operating system (OS), application programs, and data in use so that the CPU can access them rapidly. A computer's main memory is known as RAM. Other types of storage, such as a hard disc drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), or optical drive, are substantially slower to read from and write to.

Important PointsCharacteristice of RAM are as follows-

• It is an internal chip where data is temporarily stored.
• ​It is a volatile memory as the data is lost when the power is turned off.
• The programs and data that the CPU requires during the execution of a program are stored in this memory.
• RAM comes in the form of a chip that is individually mounted on the motherboard or in the form of several chips on a small board connected to the motherboard.
• It is the main memory of a computer.
• It is faster to write to and read from as compared to other memories such as a hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), optical drive, etc.

Therefore, the correct answer is Both A and B.

Important Points

Therefore, the correct answer is A ‐II , B ‐III , C ‐I , D ‐IV

Radiative forcing is a measure of the change in energy balance as a result of a change in a forcing agent (e.g., greenhouse gaseous, aerosol, cloud, and surface albedo) to affect the global energy balance and contribute to climate change.

Key Points

• Positive radiative forcing means Earth receives more incoming energy from sunlight than it radiates to space. This net gain of energy will cause warming.
• Negative radiative forcing means that Earth loses more energy to space than it receives from the sun, which produces cooling.
• Ozone is an important trace gas that plays a key role in the Earth's radiative budget, atmospheric chemistry, and air quality.
• As a radiatively active gas, ozone interacts with both shortwave and longwave radiation.
• In the troposphere, ozone is an important regulator of the oxidizing capacity (both itself and as the main source of hydroxyl radicals, OH) and an important pollutant with negative effects on vegetation and human health.
• However, approximately 90 % of ozone by mass is found in the stratosphere – protecting the biosphere from harmful ultraviolet solar radiation – and is an important source of ozone in the troposphere and its budget.
• Therefore, its future evolution in the troposphere and the stratosphere is an important concern for climate change and air quality during the 21^st century.

Additional Information

• Methane is the primary contributor to the formation of ground-level ozone, a hazardous air pollutant, and greenhouse gas, exposure to which causes 1 million premature deaths every year. Methane is also a powerful greenhouse gas. Over a 20-year period, it is 80 times more potent at warming than carbon dioxide.
• Carbon dioxide absorbs less heat per molecule than the greenhouse gases methane or nitrous oxide, but it's more abundant, and it stays in the atmosphere much longer. Increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide are responsible for about two-thirds of the total energy imbalance that is causing Earth's temperature to rise.
• Nitrous oxide enhances the greenhouse effect just as carbon dioxide does by capturing reradiated infrared radiation from the Earth's surface and subsequently warming the troposphere (lower atmosphere).

Thus as per the above explanation ozone has both positive and negative radiative forcing in the climate.

AYUSH is an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy and are the six Indian systems of medicine prevalent and practiced in India and some of the neighboring Asian countries with very few exceptions in some of the developed countries.

Key Points

• AYUSH is purposed with developing education, research, and propagation of indigenous alternative medicine systems in India.
• A department called the department of the Indian system of medicine was created in March 1995 and renamed AYUSH in November with a focus to provide increased attention for the development of these systems.
• This was felt in order to give increased attention to these systems in the presence of a strong counterpart in the form of an allopathic system of medicine which lead to an “architectural correction” in the health service envisaged by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Before the initiation of NRHM, most of these systems including workforces, therapeutics, and principles were limited to their own field with few exceptions in some states, as health in India is a state issue.
• This took a reverse turn after the initiation of NRHM and the AYUSH systems were brought into mainstream health care. NRHM came into play in 2005 but was implemented at ground level in 2006 and introduced the concept of “mainstreaming of AYUSH and revitalization of local health traditions” to strengthen public health services.
• This concept helped in utilizing the untapped AYUSH workforce, therapeutics, and the principles for the management of community health problems at different levels.
• This convergence has been envisaged with the following objectives:
• Choice of the treatment system to the patients
• Strengthen facility functionally
• Strengthen implementation of national health programs.
• In the mainstreaming of AYUSH and revitalization of local health traditions AYUSH workforce, therapeutics and principles have been implemented in various states at a different level.

Hence, U in AYUSH stands for Unani.

These sound waves make the eardrum vibrate. The eardrum is so sensitive to sound vibrations in the ear canal that it can detect even the faintest sound as well as replicate even the most complex of sound vibration patterns.

Key Points

• There are a variety of sounds in our environment, ranging from faint sounds like birdsong and rustling leaves to louder sounds like music, yelling, and industrial noise.
• This human hearing range is called the audible range.
• The human hearing range is a description of the pitches and loudness levels a person can hear before feeling discomfort.
• The human ear has a dynamic range from 0dB (threshold) to 120-130 dB.
• This is true for the middle frequency range (1-2 kHz). For lower or higher frequencies, the dynamic is narrowed.
• However, as shown on this graph, all sounds above 90 dB are damaging the inner ear and even doing irreversible damage above 120 dB. (see " Noise: watch out! Danger !")
• The human auditory field (green) is limited by the threshold curve (bottom) and a curve giving the upper limit of sound perception (top).
• At each frequency, between 20 Hz and 20 kHz, the threshold of our sensitivity is different.
• The best threshold (at around 2 kHz) is close to 0 dB.
• It is also in this middle range of frequencies that the sensation dynamics is the best (120 dB).
• The conversation area (dark green) demonstrates the range of sounds most commonly used in human voice perception; when hearing loss affects this area, communication is altered.

Therefore, based on the above descriptions the faintest detectable noise by a healthy human ear is of 0 decible.

The nonparametric approach is a statistical method that makes no assumptions about the sample's characteristics (its parameters) or whether the observed data is quantitative or qualitative.

Key Points

• Certain descriptive statistics, statistical models, inference, and statistical tests are examples of nonparametric statistics.
• The model structure of nonparametric approaches is determined from data rather than being established a priori.
• The normal distribution model and the linear regression model are examples of nonparametric statistics.
• Ordinal data is sometimes used in nonparametric statistics which means it does not rely on numbers but rather on a ranking or order of sorts.
• The Spearman rank-order correlation coefficient is a nonparametric statistics measure of the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables assessed on an ordinal scale.
• The test is used for ordinal variables or continuous data that fails to meet the assumptions required for the Pearson's product-moment correlation to be conducted.

​Thus, Spearman's correlation is a non‐parametric statistic. 

Additional Information

• F‐ statistic: An F-test is any statistical test in which the test statistic has an F-distribution under the null hypothesis. The F statistic simply compares the combined effect of all variables.
• t ‐ statistic: The t-value expresses the magnitude of the difference in terms of the variation in your sample data.
• Pearson's correlation: This correlation coefficient is a single number that measures both the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two continuous variables.

The correlation coefficient is a metric for determining how strong a relationship exists between two variables.

Key PointsAssertion A: The value of the correlation coefficient is in the range of ‐1 to +1.

• The correlation coefficient is a statistical measure of how strong a relationship exists between two variables' relative movements.
• The range of values is -1.0 to 1.0.
• A value of exactly 1.0 indicates that the two variables have a perfect positive association.
• A score of -1.0 indicates that the two variables have a perfect negative relationship.

​So, A is true.

​Reason R: Correlation between two variables doesn't help in predicting the value of a variable even if we know the value of another variable.

• There was an error in the correlation measurement if the calculated number was more than 1.0 or less than -1.0.
• A perfect negative correlation is represented by a correlation of -1.0 whereas a perfect positive correlation is represented by a correlation of 1.0.
• A correlation of 0.0 indicates that there is no linear link between the two variables' movements.
• The degree to which the association is strong is determined by the correlation coefficient's value.

​Thus, R is true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A. 

Therefore, Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), launched on 29 July 2020, outlines the vision of India's new education system. NEP 2020 focuses on five pillars: Affordability, Accessibility, Quality, Equity, and Accountability – to ensure continual learning.

Important Points

Assertion A: Government is preparing high-quality bilingual textbooks and teaching‐learning material for science and mathematics to enable students to think and speak about the two subjects in their home language/mother tongue and in English.

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which was approved by the government in 2020, gives emphasis on learning the mother tongue along with other languages.
• This will bring a four-language policy wherein a student can learn Hindi, English, a regional language, and mother tongue.
• The NEP 2020 is the first education policy of the 21^st century and replaces the thirty-four-year-old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986.
• Built on the foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability, this policy is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by making both school and college education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, suited to 21^st century needs and aimed at bringing out the unique capabilities of each student.

Reason R: Government should promote all regional languages

• Textbooks and teaching courses in regional languages will ensure unbiased education and will be culturally and academically inclusive too.
• This will promote fairness in our education system, bringing all the students to par.
• At the same time, the quality of education will be standard for all the students.

Hence, based on the above explanations Both A and R are correct but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.

The term 'values' is used in a broad sense to indicate, rules, principles, and qualities. Rules in common usage spell out specifically what a person should or should not do. Principles are general statements that are subjective and can be interpreted in various ways. it is an abstract term.

Key Points

Statement I: Values are an enduring belief about the way things should be done or about the ends we desire

• The Value Analysis model particularly lays emphasis on the pedagogical aspect of value development through a systematic process of valuing.
• The values can be developed by the teacher, through the covert and overt curriculum, adopting any of those models.
• The value or belief system thus developed will affect our behavior and actions.

Statement II: The values we form are influenced by our circumstances families, friends, age, gender, environment, tradition, and culture.

• The meaning of values is explained by various philosophers.
• The ultimate aim of the value models is to develop human personalities with positive attributes that are essential to a good life and social well-being.
• The teacher and the school thus have a crucial role to play in recognizing these values in the curriculum, so as to attain the aims of education.
• The human culture is shaped by the set of moral values possessed by the individual and this establishes the individual's 'cultural identity.
• When people in a group, share a common set of values, it gives them a sense of 'belonging together.

Hence, both Statement I and Statement II are correct.

Key Points

 ​JPEG is an abbreviation for "Joint Photographic Experts Group." It is a common image format for storing lossy and compressed image data. Despite the significant reduction in file size, JPEG images retain acceptable image quality. This unique compression feature allows JPEG files to be used widely on the Internet, Computers, and Mobile Devices. JPEG image sharing is quick and efficient. In addition, a large number of JPEG image files can be stored in a small amount of storage space. JPEG files can also contain high-quality image data that has been compressed without loss.

Important Points Statement I: JPEG files use a lossy format file compression method.

• JPEG employs a lossy compression method based on the discrete cosine transform (DCT).
• This mathematical operation converts each video source frame/field from the spatial (2D) domain to the frequency domain (a.k.a. transform domain).

Hence, this statement is correct.

Statement II: JPEG is used to store photographs as reduced file size.

• The most common way to reduce an image's file size is to increase the amount of compression.
• Most image editing software accomplishes this through the choices you make in the "Save As" or "Export As" dialogue box when saving a PNG, JPG, or GIF.
• The higher the compression level, the smaller the file and the faster it will load on a webpage**.**

Hence, this statement is correct.

Therefore, the correct answer is Both Statements I and Statement II is correct.

A national forest policy is considered to be a negotiated agreement between government and stakeholders (i.e. all those who depend on or benefit from forests or who decide on, control or regulate access to these resources) on the orientations and principles of actions they adopt, in harmony with national socioeconomic and environmental policies, to guide and determine decisions on the sustainable use and conservation of forest and tree resources for the benefit of society. 

Key Points

India is one of the few countries which had a forest policy since 1894. The policy was revised in 1952 and again in 1988. The main plank of the revised forest policy of 1988 is the protection, conservation, and development of forests.

Its aims are:

1. Conservation of natural heritage;
2. Maintenance of environmental stability” through preservation and restoration of ecological balance;
3. Checking soil erosion and denudation in catchment areas of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs;
4. Checking extension of sand dunes in desert areas of Rajasthan and along coastal tracts;
5. Substantially increasing forest/tree cover through massive afforestation and social forestry programs;
6. Taking steps to meet requirements of fuel, wood, fodder, minor forest produce, soil, and timber of rural and tribal populations;
7. Increasing productivity of forests to meet the national needs;
8. Encouraging efficient utilization of forest produce and optimum substitution of wood; and
9. Taking steps to create massive people’s movement with the involvement of women to achieve the objectives and minimize pressure on existing forests.

An Integrated Forest Protection Scheme (IFPS) was being implemented during the Tenth Five Year Plan and is being continued during Eleventh Plan.

The correct answer is 'Known to people since ages'

Key Points 

Let's look at the excerpt from the passage: ​ 

*"Vegetable oil has been known from antiquity. No household can get on without it, for it is used in cooking."*​

• In the given statement, the author has mentioned that Vegetable oil has been known since antiquity*.*
• 'antiquity' here means the ancient past.
• Hence it is evident that vegetable oil is 'Known to people for ages.

Thus, option 1 is the correct answer.

The correct answer is 'the largest animal living in contemporary times'

Key Points

Let's look at the excerpt from the passage: ​ 

*"Great quantities of animal oil come from whales, those enormous creatures of the sea which are the largest remaining animals in the world."***​

• In the given statement, the author has mentioned that whales, the enormous creatures of the sea which are the largest remaining animals in the world*.*
• Here the author has indicated that whales are the largest animals in the world.
• Hence according to the author, whales are the largest animal living in contemporary times.

Thus, option 2 is the correct answer.

The correct answer is 'As an economic power'

Key Points

Let's look at the excerpt from the passage: ​ 

*"mineral oil, the oil that drives tanks, airplanes and warships, motor‐cars and diesel locomotives; the oil that is used to lubricate all kinds of machinery. This is the oil that has changed the life of the common man."*​

• In the given statement, the author has mentioned the uses of mineral oils
• Some common uses of mineral oil as explained by the author are for lighting, as fuel for motors, and as a lubricant.

Hence mineral oil is not used as an economic power.

Thus, option 3 is the correct answer.

The correct answer is 'Oil is an essential ingredient in cooking, so households need it'

Key Points

Let's look at the excerpt from the passage: ​ 

*"No household can get on without it, for it is used in cooking. Perfumes may be made from the oils of certain flowers. Soaps are made from vegetable and animal oils."*​

• In the given statement, the author has stated that no household can get on without it, in reference to mineral oil.
• Here he means that oil is essential for cooking hence households need it on a daily basis.
• Hence, "No household can get on without vegetable oil, for it is used in cooking", means Oil is an essential ingredient in cooking, so households need it."

Thus, option 3 is the correct answer.

The correct answer is  'Are used by a large number of people, although not so many as previously'

Key Points

Let's look at the excerpt from the passage: ​ 

*"Many big ships now burn oil instead of coal. Because it burns brightly, it is used for illumination; countless homes are still illuminated with oil‐burning lamps. Because it is very slippery, it is used for lubrication."*​

• In the given statement, the author has stated that countless homes are still illuminated with oil‐burning lamps.
• Here he means many homes are still illuminated by oil-burning lamps but not as many as they used to be in older times.

Hence, "Oil‐burning lamps are used by a large number of people, although not so many as previously"

Thus, option 4 is the correct answer.

Given:

The number of marks in each subject of each student.

Formula Used:

Percentage = (Value / Total Value) × 100

Calculation:

Total number of maximum marks = 100 +100 + 100 + 50 + 50 + 50 = 450

Total number of marks obtained by A = 80 + 76 + 68 + 40 + 36 + 24 = 324

Percentage = \(\frac{324}{450}\times 100\)%

Percentage = 72%

∴ The percentage of total marks obtained by student A is 72%

Given:

The number of marks in each subject of each student.

Formula Used:

Percentage = (Value / Total Value) × 100

Calculation:

Total number of maximum marks = 100 +100 + 100 + 50 + 50 + 50 = 450

Total number of marks obtained by D = 75 + 79 + 58 + 28 + 28 + 34 = 302

Total number of marks obtained by E = 45 + 65 + 62 + 31 + 29 + 28 = 260

Difference between the total number of marks of student D and E = 302 - 260 = 42

Percentage = \(\frac{42}{450}\times 100\)%

Percentage = 9.33%

∴ The difference of percentage in the total marks of student D and E is 9.34%

Given:

The number of marks in each subject of each student.

Formula Used:

Average = (Sum of all values) / (Total number of values)

Calculation:

Average marks of students in Physics = \( \frac{80 + 90 + 85 + 75 + 45 + 68}{6}\)

Average marks of students in Physics = \(\frac{443}{6}\) = 73.83

Average marks of students in Chemistry = \(\frac{76 + 68 + 81 + 79 + 65 + 72}{6}\)

Average marks of students in Chemistry = \(\frac{441}{6}\) = 73.5

Average marks of students in Math = \(\frac{68 + 72 + 75 + 58 + 62 + 68}{6}\)

Average marks of students in Math = \(\frac{403}{6}\) = 67.16

Total number of average students in Physics, Chemistry and Math = 73.83 + 73.5 + 67.16

Total number of average students in Physics, Chemistry and Math = 214.49

∴ Total number of average students in Physics, Chemistry and Math is 214.5

Given:

The number of marks of each subject of each student.

Calculation:

Total marks obtained by A = 80 + 76 + 68 + 40 + 36 + 24

⇒ 324

Total marks obtained by B = 90 + 68 + 72 + 42 + 38 + 26 ⇒ 336

Total marks obtained by C = 85 + 81 + 75 + 38 + 32 + 31 ⇒ 342

Total marks obtained by D = 75 + 79 + 58 + 28 + 28 + 34 ⇒ 302

Total marks obtained by E = 45 + 65 + 62 + 31 + 29 + 28 ⇒ 260

Total marks obtained by F = 68 + 72 + 68 + 26 + 34 + 30 ⇒ 298

∴ The maximum marks obtained by C.

Given:

The number of marks of each subject of each student.

Formula Used:

Percentage = (Value / Total Value) × 100

Calculation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

∴ The number of students who obtained more than or equal to 60% marks in all subjects is C