Under the Universities Act of 1904, universities were given the authority to recognise:

Correct option is D

The Universities Act of 1904, enacted during Lord Curzon’s tenure as the Viceroy of India, sought to enhance the standards of higher education in India. One of the provisions of this act was empowering universities to oversee and recognize secondary schools, thereby ensuring a uniform standard of education leading up to university-level studies. This step was aimed at improving the quality of education and creating a structured linkage between secondary and higher education.
The act also strengthened the control of the colonial government over universities, focusing on stricter affiliation processes, curricula, and teacher qualifications. Recognizing secondary schools under university jurisdiction ensured better preparation of students for higher education.
Information Booster:
1. The Universities Act of 1904 was part of Lord Curzon's educational reforms.
2. It increased government oversight over universities, leading to criticism from Indian nationalist leaders.
3. Universities were encouraged to play a role in improving secondary education quality.
4. The act required universities to conduct inspections of secondary schools.
5. It improved the affiliation process for colleges and institutions.
6. Teacher qualifications and research activities were prioritized.
7. This act laid the groundwork for modernizing Indian higher education during the colonial period.