The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) is a competency-based framework that organizes qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills, and aptitude. It is notified by the Government of India to standardize skill training and align it with international standards.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect.
The NSQF does not restrict certification to formal learning only. A fundamental component of the framework is the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This mechanism allows individuals who have acquired skills through informal channels (such as family traditions or on-the-job experience) or non-formal learning to get assessed and certified. Therefore, competency can be acquired and certified through formal, non-formal, and informal learning routes.
- Statement 2 is Correct.
One of the primary objectives of the NSQF is to facilitate mobility between vocational and general education. It establishes a credit-based system that allows for multi-entry and multi-exit options. This ensures that a learner can switch from a vocational stream to a general education stream (and vice versa) at specific levels, ensuring vertical and horizontal progression in their academic and professional career.
Key Takeaway:
The NSQF integrates vocational and general education by allowing credit transfers and multiple entry-exit points, and it explicitly recognizes skills acquired through informal means via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).