A2Z is a state-funded leading engineering college in the country, renowned for its teaching and placements. Now, A2Z aspires to be a global leader in research as well. A2Z has, therefore, decided to push for better quality research from its newly recruited faculty members. In the past, a few faculty members were confirmed because of their exceptional teaching feedback even though their research output was below par. Currently, the Dean, in consultation with the academic council, has included the quality of research as a mandatory requirement along with teaching excellence for the confirmation of the newly recruited faculty members. (The academic council comprises of the senior faculty members from different departments.)
Initially, newly recruited faculty members are put on a probation for three years. Either they are confirmed or their probation is extended or their services are terminated, based on teaching and research contributions. Once confirmed, their job is secure along with other additional perquisites.
Aparna joined the social sciences department of A2Z two years back. She is amongst the many faculty members, recruited after the new norms for confirmation were introduced. She completed her doctorate from a reputed university in the USA, with a significant research contribution. However, after joining A2Z, Aparna got deeply involved in social outreach as COVID-19 was spreading. Though her social outreach has given her immense satisfaction, she has nothing to show against research contributions; further, it has impacted her teaching effectiveness. Her confirmation is due in a year.
The Dean, during the annual appraisal of Aparna, realizes that her research contribution needs considerable investment of time and efforts. He is concerned that her performance could set a wrong precedent for the new faculty recruits. The dean wants to communicate to the new faculty recruits that research contribution is critical.
Which of the following actions will BEST help the Dean in achieving the objective, while being fair to Aparna?
Which of the following actions will BEST help the Dean in achieving the objective, while being fair to Aparna?
- Extend Aparna’s probation period by an additional year, while reminding her about the research and teaching contributions needed for confirmation
- Appreciate Aparna’s social outreach, but advise her to focus on research and teaching contributions as they are essential for confirmation
- Increase her teaching and research requirements, while extending her probation period by two years
- Suggest Aparna to start looking for a new job in the time available to her
- Exhort Aparna to suspend her social outreach activities till the end of her probation, and to focus on research and teaching instead
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The Dean must balance fairness to Aparna with the need to send a strong message to the new faculty recruits that research contribution is essential.
- Option 1: Only extends probation. This delays the issue without addressing the importance of research.
- Option 3: Increases pressure unfairly. This is too harsh and counterproductive.
- Option 4: Suggesting Aparna to leave disregards her contributions and is not fair.
- Option 5: Asking her to suspend social work undermines her valuable outreach activities.
Option 2 is the most balanced choice. It recognizes Aparna’s social outreach (fairness) while firmly reminding her that research and teaching are the core requirements for confirmation. This also sets the correct example for new recruits.
✅ Therefore, Option 2 is the most appropriate action.
One year on, Aparna continues with her social work. Gradually, she gets closer to the end of her probation and she has not much to show against her teaching and research contributions. However, her social work has been widely appreciated by the local media. The Chief Minister of the state wants Aparna to take a larger role in social outreach and assist the government. The Dean is afraid that not confirming Aparna might prompt her to leave the institution, sending a wrong signal to the outside world. However, he also wants to send a message to the newly joined faculty members that teaching and research contributions are essential for confirmation.
Which of the following actions by the Dean is the MOST sustainable given the circumstances?
Which of the following actions by the Dean is the MOST sustainable given the circumstances?
- Offer Aparna a five-year contractual position after which she has to leave irrespective of her contributions
- Offer to create a non-teaching position of outreach officer for Aparna, but terminate her from the teaching position
- Extend Aparna’s probation by three years, and tell her that she would have to leave if her research and teaching do not improve in that period
- Confirm Aparna, but freeze her increments and promotions until her research contributions are as per the expected standards
- Declare that Aparna’s extraordinary achievement deserves to be treated exceptionally, and confirm her
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Core Conflict
- Aparna excels in social work but underperforms in research and teaching. - The Dean must balance institutional standards (teaching & research are essential) with external reputation (Aparna has political and media recognition). - A sustainable action is required, avoiding both favoritism and rigidity.
Step 2: Evaluate Options
- Option 1: Five-year contract then exit — inflexible, sends a negative message, not sustainable.
- Option 2: Outreach officer role — removes her from academics, but creates precedent of creating special roles, unsustainable.
- Option 3: Extend probation by three years with clear conditions — balanced, fair, allows Aparna time to improve while upholding standards. ✅
- Option 4: Confirm with frozen increments — weakens standards; sends a wrong message to new faculty that confirmation can happen without research.
- Option 5: Exceptional confirmation — favoritism, undermines credibility of academic evaluation.
Step 3: Conclusion
The most sustainable solution is to extend Aparna’s probation. It reassures external stakeholders of fairness, while also preserving the academic integrity of the institute.
Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{\text{Option (C): Extend probation by three years with clear teaching & research requirements.}} \]
A few months later, Aparna, during an interview with the local media, inadvertently expresses her fear that she might be let go by A2Z because she has not met its teaching and research requirements. Consequently, the academic council urges the Dean to review the faculty confirmation policy. The Dean, however, believes that any change in the policy will be a setback to the institute’s aspirations of becoming a global leader in research.
Which of the following actions by the Dean will be the MOST appropriate, given the circumstances?
Which of the following actions by the Dean will be the MOST appropriate, given the circumstances?
- Confirm Aparna, but ask her to issue a public statement, acknowledging the importance A2Z gives to research contributions
- Tell Aparna that she is being let go for insulting the college on a public platform
- Confirm Aparna, but make it clear that her future promotions will be tied to her research contribution and teaching feedback
- Convey to Aparna that the institute is eager to retain her; however, emphasize that she should focus on research to get confirmed
- Give an interview to a local newspaper and share Aparna’s lack of research and poor teaching feedback
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identify the Core Conflict
- Aparna has publicly expressed doubts about meeting research and teaching requirements. - The council wants flexibility, but the Dean believes policy change will harm A2Z’s research leadership goals. Thus, the Dean needs to balance faculty support with institutional standards.
Step 2: Evaluate Options
- Option 1: Confirming Aparna despite shortcomings undermines research standards. A public statement doesn’t solve the problem.
- Option 2: Letting her go immediately for her statement is harsh, retaliatory, and harms reputation.
- Option 3: Confirming her now but tying promotions to research weakens entry-level standards — a poor precedent.
- Option 4: Best approach — reassures Aparna of the institute’s intent to retain her, but emphasizes research contribution as a must for confirmation. ✔️
- Option 5: Publicly criticizing Aparna is unprofessional and damages institutional credibility.
Step 3: Logical Conclusion
The Dean should neither dilute institutional standards nor act harshly. Option 4 balances compassion with academic rigor: retain talent, but reinforce that confirmation depends on research performance.
Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{\text{Option (D): Retain Aparna with reassurance, but emphasize research focus for confirmation.}} \]
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- What is a classical dance ?
A dance which is created or choreographed and performed according to the tenets of the Natya Shastra is called a classical dance. The two broad aspects of classical dancing are the tandava and the lasya. Power and force are typical of the tandava; grace and delicacy, of the lasya. Tandava is associated with Shiva, and lasya with Parvati. Dance which is pure in movement is called nritta, and dance which is interpretative in nature is called nritya. A dancer in the classical tradition has to have years of training before he or she can begin to perform on the stage.
What are the main schools of classical dancing ?
Bharata Natyam, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kathak. Bharata Natyam is the oldest and most popular dance-form of India. Earlier, it was known by various names. Some called it Bharatam, some Natyam some Desi Attam and some Sadir.
The districts of Tanjore and Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu were the focal points in the development of Bharata Natyam. It was danced as a solo performance by devadasis (temple dancers) on all auspicious occasions. Later, kings and rich people lent their patronage to it and it started shedding its purely sacred character.- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- O moon,
give me moonlight,
basketful or two baskets full,
with seeds of moonlight.
From the city to my village,
on the sides of the path
I want to sow many,
small, small moons of light.
The whole village goes to the city
daily to work.
It becomes dark on its way back
as my village is quite far.
The route is tough and full of
snakes and scorpions.
Neither bus nor cart plies.
When my father returns home
I am asleep.
And he goes back early in the morning
while I am sleeping.- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Swami and Friends is written in such simple English it is hard to imagine that it is a work of such a literary genius like R. K. Narayan. The English used in the book is both plain and simple, without any troubling words for the kids. Also the use of simple and short sentences adds to the simplicity of the book.
It is mentioned in the description that the book is about a mischievous ten year old Indian boy, and some parents may be concerned about the influence this will have on their already mischievous children. But the book is as such, that it encompasses the mischief of the kids in a view of the kid which is harmless and pure in his perspective. Also amidst all the mischief and naughtiness, we actually find that Swami is a loving and a tender kid who’s actually very sensitive. It is also a known fact that mischievous kids are the most sensitive and loving people of all. And R.K. Narayan does a great job conveying that to all of us.
So in conclusion it can be said that this book is a good read for children of all ages, who may just enjoy a good read or who may want to improve their English skills.- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Her name was Sulekha but since her childhood everyone had been calling her Bholi the simpleton. She was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. When she was ten months old, she had fallen off the cot on her head and perhaps it had damaged some part of her brain. That was why she remained a backward child and came to be known as Bholi, the simpleton.
At birth the child was very fair and pretty. But when she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. Only the eyes were saved. But the entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks. Little Sulekha could not speak till she was five and when at last she learnt to speak, she stammered. The other children often made fun of her and mimicked her. As a result, she talked very little.
Ramlal had seven children, three sons and four daughters and the youngest of them was Bholi. It was a prosperous farmer’s household and there was plenty to eat and drink. All the children except Bholi were healthy and strong.- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
- Appreciation of the poem:
Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the points given below:
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Robert Frost
- Maharashtra Class X Board - 2025
- English
- Reading Comprehension
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