UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Home Ministry sends 290 takedown notices a day

Q1. Which one of the following bodies operationalises the 'Sahyog' portal through which Section 79(3)(b) takedown notices are issued to online intermediaries?

  • A. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)
  • B. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
  • C. National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC)
  • D. National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

Q2. The validity of the 'Sahyog' portal and Section 79(3)(b) takedown mechanism was first upheld in 2025 by a single judge of which one of the following High Courts?

  • A. Bombay High Court
  • B. Delhi High Court
  • C. Karnataka High Court
  • D. Madras High Court

Q3. The I4C issues content takedown notices to intermediaries through the Sahyog portal by invoking which one of the following provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000?

  • A. Section 66A
  • B. Section 69A
  • C. Section 79(3)(b)
  • D. Section 79(1)

Q4. With reference to the takedown mechanism operated through the Sahyog portal as compared with Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, consider the following statements: 1. Section 69A is the express statutory provision empowering the Central Government to block online content. 2. Unlike Section 69A blocking, a Section 79(3)(b) removal notice can be issued only pursuant to a court order. 3. X Corp contended that the Sahyog portal creates a parallel mechanism that bypasses the Section 69A process. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Section 69A is the express statutory provision empowering the Central Government to block online content.
  2. Unlike Section 69A blocking, a Section 79(3)(b) removal notice can be issued only pursuant to a court order.
  3. X Corp contended that the Sahyog portal creates a parallel mechanism that bypasses the Section 69A process.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the Sahyog portal and the Section 79(3)(b) takedown regime, consider the following statements: 1. The Sahyog portal is managed by the I4C under the Ministry of Home Affairs. 2. The portal provides a single, centralised interface enabling automated removal notices to intermediaries. 3. Section 79(3)(b) withdraws safe-harbour protection from intermediaries that fail to act on government flagging. 4. In September 2025 the Karnataka High Court struck down the Sahyog portal as unconstitutional. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Sahyog portal is managed by the I4C under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  2. The portal provides a single, centralised interface enabling automated removal notices to intermediaries.
  3. Section 79(3)(b) withdraws safe-harbour protection from intermediaries that fail to act on government flagging.
  4. In September 2025 the Karnataka High Court struck down the Sahyog portal as unconstitutional.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4 only