Extension Education is type of education

Correct option is C

Extension education is a type of informal education that takes place outside the formal school and college system. It focuses on solving practical problems of farmers and rural communities through methods such as demonstrations, field visits, meetings, and training programmes. Extension education is voluntary and emphasizes learning through experience, observation, and participation rather than classroom instruction. There is no fixed syllabus, prescribed curriculum, or award of degrees in extension education programmes. Therefore, extension education is categorized under informal education in this context.

Information Booster:

Extension education aims at bringing desirable changes in the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of farmers and rural people. It follows the principle of “learning by doing,” where individuals actively participate in the learning process. Extension programmes are flexible and can be designed according to the local needs and problems of the community. It plays a significant role in technology transfer, rural development, and improvement of quality of life.

Why other options are incorrect:

(a) Partially formal – Incorrect because extension education does not operate within a structured academic framework.

(b) Formal – Incorrect because formal education involves schools, fixed curriculum, examinations, and certification, which are absent in extension education.

(d) Semi formal – Incorrect because extension education is not a semi-structured institutional programme; it primarily operates through informal learning methods outside the formal education system.

Note: In the CUET PG 2022 final answer key released by NTA, Informal was considered the correct option for this question. However, according to contemporary extension education literature and academic classification, extension education is more appropriately categorized as a form of Non-Formal Education, as it involves organized learning activities conducted outside the formal institutional system.