Which of the following were the recommendations of the Indian Universities Commission, 1902? A. Adoption of…

Question

Which of the following were the recommendations of the Indian Universities Commission, 1902?

A. Adoption of American system of education
B. Establishment of medical universities
C. Reorganization of University government
D. Changes in curricula
E. Changes in the methods of examination

Accepted Answer

Correct answer: D — Concept. What a commission may recommend is fixed by its terms of reference. A body appointed to enquire into the constitution and working of universities that already exist can propose changes only to their internal machinery — how they are governed, what courses they offer, how they examine, and on what conditions they affiliate colleges. A proposal to import a foreign system of education wholesale, or to found a new specialised university, falls outside such a remit. Application. The Indian Universities Commission of 1902 — the Raleigh Commission, appointed by Lord Curzon under the chairmanship of Sir Thomas Raleigh — was charged with enquiring into the condition and prospects of the universities established in British India and with recommending measures to improve their constitution and working. Each proposal listed in the question is now tested against that remit. Proposal In the 1902 report Reason Reorganization of University government Yes The senates were to be reduced in size, the syndicate given statutory form with a strong teaching element, and the universities empowered to teach and not merely to examine. Changes in curricula Yes The courses of study offered by the affiliating universities were to be revised. Changes in the methods of examination Yes Examination was the central function of these universities, so its methods and standards were taken up directly. Adoption of American system of education No The Commission reformed the existing London-modelled affiliating system; no transplant of the American model was proposed. Establishment of medical universities No The remit ran to the universities already established in British India; no separate specialised university was proposed. Cross-check. Read the outcome backwards from the statute. The report was given legislative effect by the Indian Universities Act, 1904, which cut the size of the senates, recognised the syndicate in law, tightened the conditions on which colleges were affiliated and inspected, and allowed the universities to appoint their own teachers. Every one of those provisions sits on the same governance, curriculum and examination axis; none of them sets up an American-style system and none of them creates a medical university. The statute therefore confirms exactly the three heads that the remit predicts. Hence the recommendations named in the question are the reorganization of University government, changes in curricula, and changes in the methods of examination — the set C, D and E.

Answer

A. ABC

Answer

B. BCD

Answer

C. ADE

Answer

D. CDE

Proposal	In the 1902 report	Reason
Reorganization of University government	Yes	The senates were to be reduced in size, the syndicate given statutory form with a strong teaching element, and the universities empowered to teach and not merely to examine.
Changes in curricula	Yes	The courses of study offered by the affiliating universities were to be revised.
Changes in the methods of examination	Yes	Examination was the central function of these universities, so its methods and standards were taken up directly.
Adoption of American system of education	No	The Commission reformed the existing London-modelled affiliating system; no transplant of the American model was proposed.
Establishment of medical universities	No	The remit ran to the universities already established in British India; no separate specialised university was proposed.

Which of the following were the recommendations of the Indian Universities…