Two statements are given below, one marked as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). In the light of these statements, select the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Both statements are correct, but the low research investment does not by itself explain the limited access to higher education.

The Assertion is true because higher education access in India is indeed narrow, especially in socio-economically disadvantaged areas.

The Reason is also true because research and innovation spending stands at only about 0.69 percent of gross domestic product.

Limited access flows mainly from shortages of institutions, affordability and regional gaps, not chiefly from low research funding.

Since the two facts are distinct concerns, the Reason cannot be the correct explanation of the Assertion.

The National Education Policy therefore proposes both wider access and a national body to strengthen research funding.