Step 1: Concept
This question tests knowledge of India's constitutional mandates, educational policies, and the role of education in social mobility.
Step 2: Meaning
Each statement must be evaluated against constitutional provisions, educational policies, and sociological realities.
Step 3: Analysis
[leftmargin=20pt, itemsep=3pt, topsep=4pt]
• A) With education, one can attain vertical mobility in caste hierarchy — partially true but not straightforward, as caste identity often persists even with education; not universally correct.
• B) Pluralist society must have one system of education — INCORRECT. A pluralist society can and should support multiple educational systems catering to diverse cultural and religious needs.
• C) Secular education is a mandate for state-governed educational institutions in India — CORRECT. The Indian Constitution mandates secular education in state-run institutions, ensuring no discrimination based on religion.
• D) To promote scientific temper is one of the mandates of the Indian Constitution — CORRECT. Article 51A(h) lists "develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform" as a fundamental duty.
• E) Education in mother tongue was first proposed in NEP 2020 — INCORRECT. The idea of education in the mother tongue has been part of Indian education policy discussions long before NEP 2020.
Step 4: Conclusion
The correct statements are C and D only.
Final Answer: (B)