In this sentence improvement question, choose the alternative that best improves the bracketed part in: At the micro level, the dialectical process of development in India (has now heading) towards another direction.

Introduction / Context:
Sentence improvement questions test your ability to recognise and correct errors in tense, agreement, and structure. In this sentence the focus is on the correct use of auxiliary verbs with the present participle heading. The original phrase has now heading is grammatically faulty. You must choose the option that produces a correct and natural present continuous construction in formal written English.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The full sentence is: At the micro level, the dialectical process of development in India (has now heading) towards another direction.
• The options for the bracketed part are had now heading, now heading, is now heading, no improvement.
• The subject is the dialectical process of development in India, which is singular.
• The intended meaning is that this process is currently moving or changing towards another direction.

Concept / Approach:
To describe an action in progress at the present time for a singular subject, English uses the present continuous tense: is plus verb ing. Therefore, we need a form like is now heading. The original phrase has now heading incorrectly combines the auxiliary has with a present participle instead of a past participle. Options that omit the auxiliary entirely or use past perfect incorrectly also fail. So we look for the correct combination of auxiliary and participle to express present development.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the sentence describes a current change or movement, which normally takes the present continuous tense.Step 2: Confirm that the subject, the dialectical process of development in India, is singular and therefore takes is in present continuous.Step 3: Construct the correct pattern: is now heading, where now is an adverb of time placed between the auxiliary and the main verb.Step 4: Compare this with option C, which gives exactly is now heading.Step 5: Evaluate option A had now heading, which uses past perfect auxiliary had but incorrectly with present participle heading.Step 6: Evaluate option B now heading, which lacks the necessary auxiliary verb and therefore creates a fragment rather than a full verb phrase.

Verification / Alternative Check:
Substitute option C into the full sentence: At the micro level, the dialectical process of development in India is now heading towards another direction. This sentence is grammatically correct and communicates an ongoing shift in direction. Reading the sentence aloud confirms that it sounds natural in standard English. If we try the other options, the sentences either sound incorrect or incomplete, which further verifies that is now heading is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Had now heading mixes past perfect had with the present participle heading, which is not a valid combination in English. A correct past perfect structure would be had headed, not had heading. Now heading omits the auxiliary is, leaving only a present participle phrase that cannot serve as the main verb of the sentence. No improvement would retain has now heading, which suffers from the same structural problem because has should be followed by a past participle such as headed, not by heading.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes focus only on the adverb now and overlook the tense issue, or they think that any auxiliary plus verb ing is acceptable. Others may choose no improvement out of haste without checking the form of the main verb. Always check whether the auxiliary verb and the participle type match the intended tense. The present continuous is formed with is or are plus verb ing, while present perfect takes has or have plus past participle. Remembering this distinction helps you solve similar questions quickly.

Final Answer:
The improved phrase is: is now heading.