UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India shines in Network Readiness Index Report 2025, prepared by Portulans Institute based in Washington DC

Q1. The Network Readiness Index (NRI), in which India ranked 45th in its 2025 edition, is at present prepared and published by which one of the following organisations?

  • A. World Economic Forum
  • B. Portulans Institute
  • C. International Telecommunication Union
  • D. World Intellectual Property Organization

Q2. With reference to the origin and publication of the Network Readiness Index, consider the following statements: 1. It was initially launched in 2002 in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. 2. Since 2019 it has been published by the Portulans Institute. 3. The Portulans Institute is headquartered in Washington DC. 4. The Portulans Institute is a for-profit commercial consultancy firm. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was initially launched in 2002 in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
  2. Since 2019 it has been published by the Portulans Institute.
  3. The Portulans Institute is headquartered in Washington DC.
  4. The Portulans Institute is a for-profit commercial consultancy firm.
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 1 only

Q3. India's performance and improvement in the Network Readiness Index 2025 is officially tracked and reported within the Government of India by which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications
  • B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • C. Department of Science and Technology
  • D. NITI Aayog

Q4. With reference to India's position in the Network Readiness Index 2025 as compared with 2024, consider the following statements: 1. India's rank improved from 49th in 2024 to 45th in 2025. 2. India's score rose from 53.63 in 2024 to 54.43 out of 100 in 2025. 3. The number of economies covered rose from 127 in 2024 to 133 in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India's rank improved from 49th in 2024 to 45th in 2025.
  2. India's score rose from 53.63 in 2024 to 54.43 out of 100 in 2025.
  3. The number of economies covered rose from 127 in 2024 to 133 in 2025.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. In which edition of the Network Readiness Index did India enter the top 50 economies for the first time?

  • A. NRI 2022
  • B. NRI 2023
  • C. NRI 2024
  • D. NRI 2025

Q6. Consider the following edition-and-rank pairings of India in the Network Readiness Index: 1. NRI 2022 — 61st 2. NRI 2023 — 60th 3. NRI 2024 — 49th 4. NRI 2025 — 45th Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. NRI 2022 — 61st
  2. NRI 2023 — 60th
  3. NRI 2024 — 49th
  4. NRI 2025 — 45th
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. The four-pillar analytical framework of the Network Readiness Index is currently maintained and updated exclusively by which one of the following institutions?

  • A. Portulans Institute
  • B. World Economic Forum
  • C. Harvard Kennedy School
  • D. INSEAD

Q8. Across how many indicators does the Network Readiness Index 2025 assess the economies it covers?

  • A. 4
  • B. 12
  • C. 53
  • D. 127

Q9. Consider the following indicators of the Network Readiness Index 2025: 1. Annual investment in telecommunication services 2. AI scientific publications 3. ICT services exports 4. International Internet bandwidth Which of the above is/are correctly identified as indicators in which India secured the 1st global rank?

  1. Annual investment in telecommunication services
  2. AI scientific publications
  3. ICT services exports
  4. International Internet bandwidth
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. India's top global rank in the 'AI scientific publications' indicator of NRI 2025 is largely attributed to research and development promoted under which one of the following?

  • A. IndiaAI Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • B. Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications
  • C. Department of Biotechnology
  • D. Indian Council of Medical Research

Q11. In how many indicators did India secure the 1st global rank in the Network Readiness Index 2025?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Nine

Q12. Consider the following index-and-publisher pairings: 1. Network Readiness Index — Portulans Institute 2. Global Cybersecurity Index — International Telecommunication Union 3. Global Innovation Index — World Intellectual Property Organization 4. Global Innovation Index — World Economic Forum Which of the above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Network Readiness Index — Portulans Institute
  2. Global Cybersecurity Index — International Telecommunication Union
  3. Global Innovation Index — World Intellectual Property Organization
  4. Global Innovation Index — World Economic Forum
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4