Which of the following are examples of upward communication?
(A) Application for grant of leave
(B) Submission of progress report
(C) Sending notice to employees to attend a meeting
(D) Request for grants
(E) Passing on guidelines framed by top management to the subordinates
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (A), (B) and (D) only
Upward communication flows from a subordinate to a superior. Downward communication flows from a superior to a subordinate.
(A) Application for grant of leave — Correct. An employee sends it up to his superior, so it is upward.
(B) Submission of progress report — Correct. A subordinate reports his progress to the person above him, so it is upward.
(C) Sending notice to employees to attend a meeting — Incorrect. The notice goes from the superior down to the employees, so it is downward.
(D) Request for grants — Correct. A request for grants is made to a higher authority, so it is upward.
(E) Passing on guidelines framed by top management to the subordinates — Incorrect. The guidelines move down from top management to the subordinates, so it is downward.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Formal Communication Formal communication flows through official channels designed in the organisation chart. This communication may take place between a superior and subordinate, a subordinate and superior or among same cadre employees or managers. The communications may be oral or written but generally recorded and filed in the office. ” “Formal communication may be further classified as – Vertical and Horizontal. ” “Vertical communication flows vertically, i.e., upwards or downwards through formal channels. Upward communications refer to flow of communication from subordinate to superior whereas downward communication indicates communication from a superior to subordinate. The examples of upward communication are – application for grant of leave, submission of progress report, request for grants, etc. Similarly, the examples of downward communication include – sending notice to employees to attend a meeting, ordering subordinates to complete an assigned work, passing on guidelines framed by top management to the subordinates, etc. …” |