Which of the following statements about government expenditure on education in India during 1952–2020 is NOT correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → The increase in education expenditure was uniform throughout the period.
From 1952 to 2020 education spending rose, both as a share of government expenditure and as a share of GDP. But the rise was not uniform; there was an irregular rise and fall.
Option (1) Education expenditure as a percentage of total government expenditure increased. — True. It rose from 7.92 to 16.54 per cent.
Option (2) Education expenditure as a percentage of GDP increased. — True. It rose from 0.64 to 4.47 per cent.
Option (3) The increase in education expenditure was uniform throughout the period. — False. The increase went up and down over the years.
Option (4) Total education expenditure would be much higher if private expenditure by individuals and philanthropic institutions were included. — True. Government figures leave out private spending.
NCERT (2026-27): “Growth in Government Expenditure on Education: … The percentage of ‘education expenditure of total government expenditure’ indicates the importance of education in the scheme of things before the government. The percentage of ‘education expenditure of GDP’ expresses how much of people’s income is being committed to the development of education in the country. During 1952-2020, education expenditure as percentage of total government expenditure increased from 7.92 to 16.54 and as percentage of GDP increased from 0.64 to 4.47. Throughout this period the increase in education expenditure has not been uniform and there has been irregular rise and fall. To this if we include the private expenditure incurred by individuals and by philanthropic institutions, the total education expenditure should be much higher. …” |