A major defect of the Sargeant Plan was:

Correct option is D

The Sargeant Plan, introduced in 1944 as part of India's educational reform efforts, was criticized for its highly selective admission to colleges. The plan aimed to improve the quality of higher education but emphasized stringent criteria for college admissions. This approach was seen as restrictive and elitist, limiting access to higher education for a large section of the population.
The Sargeant Plan proposed a 20-year program to reform education in India, focusing on universal primary education, adult education, and higher education.
While it had progressive aspects, such as technical education and teacher training, its recommendation for strict selection criteria for colleges was viewed as a barrier to equitable education.
This selectivity did not align with the goal of democratizing education, especially in a country where access to higher education was already limited.
Information Booster:
Sargeant Plan: Formulated by Sir John Sargeant in 1944, it aimed at creating a structured educational system in India.
Focus Areas: Universal primary education, vocational training, and teacher education.
Major Flaw: Overemphasis on selectivity in higher education, restricting access to only a privileged few.
Other Criticisms: Lack of focus on regional diversity and neglect of practical implementation challenges.
Legacy: Served as a blueprint for educational reforms post-independence despite its limitations.
Post-Independence Impact: Influenced the development of the Kothari Commission (1964–66).