UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — TELE-DENSITY REACHES 86.76 % AND 5G SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE IN 99.9 % OF DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY

Q1. With reference to India's tele-density as reported in the Economic Survey 2025-26, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Tele-density increased from 75.23% to 86.76% over the decade.
  2. The growth in rural telephone connections over the decade was nearly double that of urban connections.
  3. Tele-density is defined as the number of telephone connections per 1,000 persons.
  4. Urban telephone connections stood at over 680 million by September 2025.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. The periodic telecom subscription data, including the tele-density figures cited in the Economic Survey 2025-26, is compiled and published by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
  • B. Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
  • C. National Statistical Office under MoSPI
  • D. Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)

Q3. With reference to the rollout of 5G services in India, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. 5G commercial services were launched in October 2022.
  2. As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, 5G services are available in 99.9% of the districts of the country.
  3. The population coverage of 5G services stands at about 85%.
  4. 5G services are yet to be launched in some States/UTs of the country.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 4 only

Q4. Which one of the following best describes India's distinction in its 5G rollout since October 2022?

  • A. It achieved one of the fastest 5G network rollouts in the world
  • B. India was the first nation in the world to launch 5G services
  • C. 5G now covers 100% of the districts of the country
  • D. 5G in India is available only in metropolitan districts

Q5. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), which implements telecom policy and conducts spectrum management in India, functions under which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Communications
  • B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • C. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
  • D. Ministry of Science and Technology

Q6. In which year was the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) established by an Act of Parliament?

  • A. 1994
  • B. 1997
  • C. 1999
  • D. 2000

Q7. The Digital India programme, the umbrella initiative under which BharatNet operates, was launched in which year?

  • A. 2011
  • B. 2014
  • C. 2015
  • D. 2016

Q8. With reference to the BharatNet project, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was originally launched in 2011 as the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN).
  2. The project was renamed BharatNet in 2015.
  3. Phase-I of BharatNet, connecting one lakh Gram Panchayats, was completed in December 2017.
  4. The Amended BharatNet Programme was approved in 2019.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q9. With reference to the framing of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the Economic Survey 2025-26, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Economic Survey 2025-26 frames DPI as a new pillar of infrastructure alongside roads, railways, ports and energy.
  2. Aadhaar and UPI are cited as foundational components of India's DPI.
  3. UPI accounts for nearly one-fourth of all real-time digital payment transactions globally.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), a key component of India's Digital Public Infrastructure, is operated by which one of the following?

  • A. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
  • B. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
  • C. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
  • D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

Q11. As highlighted alongside the telecom achievements in the Economic Survey 2025-26, India became only the how-many-th nation in the world to achieve autonomous satellite docking through the SpaDeX mission?

  • A. Second
  • B. Third
  • C. Fourth
  • D. Fifth

Q12. The auction of spectrum, including the 700 MHz, 3300 MHz and 26 GHz bands used for 5G services, is conducted by which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
  • B. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
  • C. NITI Aayog
  • D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)