Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.

Assertion (A): As per National Knowledge Commision report, the number of engineering institutions in India is more than 1,500, but there is regional imbalance in their distribution in the country.

Reasons (R): A major reason for this is entry of Private (aided as well as self financing) institutions.

In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

 the National Knowledge Commission (NKC), a high-level advisory body to the Prime Minister of India established in 2005.  Key PointsAssertion (A): As per the National Knowledge Commission report, the number of engineering institutions in India is more than 1,500, but there is a regional imbalance in their distribution in the country.

• The National Knowledge Commission's main objective was to promote the growth of a thriving knowledge-based society.
• In spite of the abundance of engineering schools in some regions of India, access, quantity, and quality remain grave issues.
• It mentioned that the number of engineering institutions in India is more than 1,500, but there is a regional imbalance in their distribution in the country.

Thus, (A) is true. 

Reasons (R): A major reason for this is entry of Private (aided as well as self-financing) institutions.

• According to UGC, All Colleges under Section 2(f), are aided, unaided, partially aided and self-financing are or are not covered. 
• The Commission accepted that a major reason for this is the entry of Private (aided as well as self-financing) institutions.
• It recommends enhancing access including a reduction in regional
  disparities.

So, (R) is true. 

Therefore, both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).