UGC NTA NET/JRF Exam, Social Work, January-2025

The phrase "consciousness raising" is widely associated with social and political activism, especially feminist and liberation movements. Two significant contributors who have used and popularized this concept are:

Mitchell Julliel: Known for discussing feminist strategies, Julliel linked consciousness raising to the collective sharing of personal experiences to expose systemic oppression and promote solidarity among women.

Feminist consciousness-raising groups of the 1960s and 70s, particularly in the U.S., relied heavily on this idea to politicize personal experiences.

Paulo Freire: In his influential work Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1970), Freire introduced the term "conscientização" (translated as conscientization or consciousness raising) as a process by which individuals.

become aware of social, political, and economic contradictions and take action against oppressive elements of their reality. His concept is central to critical pedagogy and participatory education.

Therefore, both Mitchell Julliel (from a feminist standpoint) and Paulo Freire (from a pedagogical and revolutionary standpoint) are known for using and developing the concept of consciousness raising.
Correct Answer: 2, 3.

The correct chronological order of environmental Acts/Policies in increasing order of their enforcement year is:

A. Wild Life Protection Act - 1972: This was one of the earliest comprehensive environmental laws in India. It aimed at protecting wildlife species and their habitats by creating protected areas like National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

E. Environment (Protection) Act -1986: Enacted after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, this Act gave the central government wide powers to address environmental issues comprehensively and coordinate between various state and central authorities.

B. National Forest Policy-1988: Focused on conservation of forests, increasing forest cover, and involving local communities in forest protection through Joint Forest Management (JFM).

C. Biological Diversity Act-2002: Enacted to fulfill India's obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this Act focuses on conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair benefit-sharing.

D. Forest Rights Act-2006: Also known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, it recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling communities over the land and resources they traditionally used.

Thus, the increasing order of enforcement year is: A (1972), Е (1986), В (1988), С (2002), D (2006). Hence, the correct answer is 1: A, E, B, C, D.

Arrange from latest to oldest:
B. The Indian Companies Act - The current Companies Act was enacted in 2013 replacing the 1956 Act.

D. Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) - Originally passed in 1976, amended in 2010 and 2020.

C. The Indian Public Trust Act - Passed in 1950 in Maharashtra and extended to other states.

A. Societies Registration Act - Introduced in 1860 during British rule. Thus, the correct order from latest to oldest is: B, D, C, А
Hence, the correct answer is 2: B, D, C, A.

Matching PM Schemes with concerned ministries:
A. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan Yojana → III. Ministry of Labour & Employment: Provides old-age pension for unorganized sector workers.

B. C. PM SVANidhi (Street Vendors Atma Nirbhar Nidhi) → IV. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs: Offers micro-credit to street vendors post-COVID.

C. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) → I. Ministry of Finance: Announced during COVID for financial aid, food security, and direct benefit transfers.

D. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana → II. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: Focuses on skill training for youth.
Hence, the correct matching is 3: A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency under the United Nations system dealing with labour standards and human rights at the workplace.

• Established in 1919, and became the first UN specialized agency in 1946.
• Promotes rights at work, decent employment opportunities, social protection, and dialogue on work-related issues.
• It plays a significant role in promoting human rights, especially those related to labor conditions, child labour, and fair wages.
  Thus, the correct answer is 1: International Labour Organisation.

The following are key contributors to the field of Social Group Work:

A. Konopka: Gisela Konopka was a major theorist in group work, known for integrating psychological principles into social work with groups.
D. Geinsberg: He made significant contributions to understanding group dynamics in social work.
E. Klien: Also contributed to the development of group work methods and theories. B. Mary Richmond is associated with casework, not group work.
C. Grace Mathew is known in Indian social work but primarily emphasized casework and general social work, not exclusively group work.
Thus, the correct answer is 1: A, D & E only.

The main stages in the policy development process are:

A. Problem identification and agenda setting: Recognizing a public issue and placing it on the policy agenda.

C. Policy formulation and adoption: Developing potential solutions and selecting the most appropriate one.

D. Policy implementation: Enacting the adopted policy through programs or legal measures.

E. Evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness and outcomes of the policy.

B. Social analysis is part of problem assessment but is not a standalone formal stage in policy development.
Thus, the correct answer is 3: A, C, D and E only.

In the most recent definition of social work by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) (2014 revision), the term "collective responsibility" was newly added.

• The definition highlights that social work promotes social change, human rights, social justice, and now emphasizes collective responsibility for sustainable development.
• This reflects a shift from individual-focused interventions to a broader societal and community responsibility.

Thus, the correct answer is 1: Collective responsibility.

Correct matching of books and their authors:

A. Social Process in Organised Groups (1930) → II. Grace Coyle: One of the pioneers in social group work, she wrote extensively on group dynamics.

B. A Social Psychology of Group Process for Decision Making (1964) → III. Collins Barry & Harold Guetzkow: Focused on how group decisions are made through communication and interaction.

C. Group Process is Social Work: A Theoretical Synthesis (1979) → I. Tom Douglas: He provided theoretical frameworks for group work in social work practice.

D. Groups in Social Work (1972) → IV. Hartford, M. E.: Focused on applied techniques and field practices in group work.
Thus, the correct matching is 3: A-II, B-III, C-I, D-IV.

Family Psychoeducation Intervention Approach has been used extensively to manage and support people with schizophrenia.

• It involves educating family members about the illness, treatment plans, and coping strategies.
• It reduces relapse rates, improves medication adherence, and enhances family support systems.
• The approach is evidence-based and often part of community-based psychiatric rehabilitation models.

Thus, the correct answer is 2: Schizophrenia.