UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Govt. cautions against accounts claiming foreign policy links

Q1. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) was conceived as an apex body organised around a defined set of functional components/verticals covering threat analytics, reporting, forensics, training, research, ecosystem management and joint coordination. How many such components/verticals constitute the I4C scheme?

  • A. Five
  • B. Six
  • C. Seven
  • D. Nine

Q2. With reference to the institutional architecture of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), consider the following: 1. It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. 2. It operates the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in). 3. The Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) set up under it brings banks, telecom operators and law-enforcement onto a single platform. 4. The national financial-cyber-fraud helpline number associated with it is 1930. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  2. It operates the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in).
  3. The Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) set up under it brings banks, telecom operators and law-enforcement onto a single platform.
  4. The national financial-cyber-fraud helpline number associated with it is 1930.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. In the Ministry of External Affairs' 2026 public advisory on fraudulent social-media handles, the conduct specifically cautioned against is best described as:

  • A. Accounts falsely projecting themselves as 'foreign policy'/'public policy' experts with MEA insider access and advertising paid consultations on working with the Ministry
  • B. Foreign state-run accounts spreading disinformation to influence Indian elections
  • C. Verified MEA officials monetising their personal social-media following through brand endorsements
  • D. Overseas recruitment agents charging fees for genuine work visas processed by Indian missions

Q4. According to the Ministry of External Affairs' 2026 advisory, fraudulent accounts claimed influence or expertise over certain MEA-related subject areas. Which one of the following was NOT among the areas cited in the advisory? 1. Trade 2. Migration 3. Foreign/public policy matters 4. Defence procurement contracts Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Trade
  2. Migration
  3. Foreign/public policy matters
  4. Defence procurement contracts
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q5. In the context of the government's advisories to online platforms on misinformation and deepfakes, the term 'safe harbour' under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 refers to:

  • A. Legal immunity granted to intermediaries for third-party content, contingent on observing prescribed due-diligence obligations
  • B. A protected government data centre where flagged deepfake content is archived
  • C. A grace period during which newly registered social-media platforms are exempt from all IT Rules
  • D. An RBI-designated escrow mechanism shielding victims' funds after a cyber-fraud complaint

Q6. Regarding India's regulatory response to online misinformation and deepfakes, consider the following: 1. Intermediaries have been advised to remove reported deepfake/misinformation content within 36 hours under the IT Rules, 2021. 2. Failure of due diligence can cost an intermediary its safe-harbour protection under Section 79(1) of the IT Act. 3. The Press Information Bureau's Fact Check Unit was notified as a nodal agency under the IT Amendment Rules, 2023. 4. The Supreme Court stayed the notification of the PIB Fact Check Unit. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Intermediaries have been advised to remove reported deepfake/misinformation content within 36 hours under the IT Rules, 2021.
  2. Failure of due diligence can cost an intermediary its safe-harbour protection under Section 79(1) of the IT Act.
  3. The Press Information Bureau's Fact Check Unit was notified as a nodal agency under the IT Amendment Rules, 2023.
  4. The Supreme Court stayed the notification of the PIB Fact Check Unit.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. Which one of the following is the dedicated national helpline number designated as the primary channel for reporting financial cyber-fraud so that fund freezes can be triggered rapidly?

  • A. 1091
  • B. 155260
  • C. 1930
  • D. 112

Q8. With reference to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in), consider the following features: 1. It allows citizens to file complaints irrespective of jurisdiction. 2. It provides a dedicated category for reporting financial fraud linked to helpline 1930. 3. It permits anonymous reporting of cybercrimes against women and children. 4. It empowers the portal itself to issue arrest warrants against accused fraudsters. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It allows citizens to file complaints irrespective of jurisdiction.
  2. It provides a dedicated category for reporting financial fraud linked to helpline 1930.
  3. It permits anonymous reporting of cybercrimes against women and children.
  4. It empowers the portal itself to issue arrest warrants against accused fraudsters.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q9. Indian nationals have been rescued from cyber-scam ('pig-butchering') compounds concentrated in a set of Southeast Asian countries, as stated by the government (2022–2025). Which one of the following countries was NOT named as a location of these compounds from which Indians were rescued? 1. Cambodia 2. Laos 3. Myanmar 4. Vietnam Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Cambodia
  2. Laos
  3. Myanmar
  4. Vietnam
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q10. As per the government's data, approximately how many Indian nationals were rescued from cyber-scam compounds in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar taken together during 2022–2025?

  • A. About 2,500
  • B. About 4,300
  • C. About 7,000
  • D. About 12,000

Q11. Falsely projecting oneself as having MEA authority to defraud victims would most directly attract which single principal provision of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, dealing with 'cheating by personation'?

  • A. Section 318
  • B. Section 319
  • C. Section 336
  • D. Section 204

Q12. Within the Ministry of External Affairs, which single division is the lead body for projecting India's image abroad and communicating its foreign-policy positions to global and domestic audiences — the function whose absence of impostor 'policy experts' the 2026 advisory sought to protect?

  • A. Protocol Division
  • B. Consular, Passport & Visa Division
  • C. External Publicity & Public Diplomacy (XPD) Division
  • D. Policy Planning & Research Division