UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Highlights of Telecom Subscription Data as on 31st December 2025

Q1. The monthly "Highlights of Telecom Subscription Data", which recorded India crossing 1.30 billion total telephone subscribers as on 31 December 2025, is compiled and released by a statutory authority created under which one of the following?

  • A. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997
  • B. The Telecommunications Act, 2023
  • C. The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
  • D. The Information Technology Act, 2000

Q2. TRAI, which reported that broadband subscribers crossed 1 billion as on 31 December 2025, discharges its advisory and regulatory functions in relation to which one of the following departments/ministries?

  • A. Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications
  • B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • C. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
  • D. Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications

Q3. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, which compiles the urban–rural break-up of wireless and wireline subscribers, was established with effect from which year?

  • A. 1997
  • B. 1994
  • C. 2000
  • D. 2003

Q4. As on 31 December 2025, which one of the following categories accounted for the largest number of telephone subscribers?

  • A. Urban wireless subscribers
  • B. Rural wireless subscribers
  • C. Urban wireline subscribers
  • D. Rural wireline subscribers

Q5. As per the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, apart from the Chairperson, the Authority shall consist of a maximum of how many other members (whole-time and part-time taken together)?

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

Q6. With reference to the institutional framework of telecom regulation in India, consider the following statements: 1. TRAI was established with effect from 20 February 1997. 2. TDSAT was created through the amendment of the TRAI Act in the year 2000. 3. TDSAT hears and disposes of appeals against directions, decisions or orders of TRAI. 4. TRAI itself adjudicates disputes between two competing telecom service providers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. TRAI was established with effect from 20 February 1997.
  2. TDSAT was created through the amendment of the TRAI Act in the year 2000.
  3. TDSAT hears and disposes of appeals against directions, decisions or orders of TRAI.
  4. TRAI itself adjudicates disputes between two competing telecom service providers.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. Which one of the following is the principal colonial-era statute governing telegraphy that was repealed and replaced by the Telecommunications Act, 2023?

  • A. The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
  • B. The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933
  • C. The Indian Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950
  • D. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997

Q8. Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the requirement of an "authorisation" from the Central Government most precisely refers to permission needed to do which one of the following?

  • A. Establish and operate telecommunication networks, provide telecommunication services, or possess radio equipment
  • B. Lay optical fibre cable over privately owned land using right of way
  • C. Acquire spectrum bands assigned exclusively through administrative allotment
  • D. Register as a consumer with a licensed telecom service provider

Q9. With reference to TRAI's Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report for the quarter ending December 2025, consider the following statements: 1. Monthly wireless ARPU rose to ₹194.57. 2. Wireless ARPU registered a quarter-on-quarter increase of 1.87%. 3. The active subscriber base of pay DTH services stood at about 50.99 million. 4. The number of pay DTH service providers rose to six during the quarter. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Monthly wireless ARPU rose to ₹194.57.
  2. Wireless ARPU registered a quarter-on-quarter increase of 1.87%.
  3. The active subscriber base of pay DTH services stood at about 50.99 million.
  4. The number of pay DTH service providers rose to six during the quarter.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 only

Q10. The wireless Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) figure of ₹194.57 for the quarter ending December 2025 was officially published in which one of the following?

  • A. TRAI's Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report
  • B. The RBI's Monetary Policy Report
  • C. NITI Aayog's annual review of the digital economy
  • D. The Economic Survey tabled in Parliament

Q11. In TRAI's telecom subscription data, the term "tele-density" is best defined as which one of the following?

  • A. The number of telephone connections per 100 population
  • B. The number of broadband subscribers per 100 households
  • C. The proportion of the population that owns a smartphone
  • D. The ratio of active (VLR) SIMs to the total number of SIMs

Q12. With reference to the roles of institutions in India's telecom sector, consider the following statements: 1. TRAI is a statutory regulator that makes recommendations on telecom tariffs and services. 2. The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications, grants authorisations/licences. 3. TDSAT adjudicates disputes between a licensor and a licensee. 4. TDSAT is the nodal ministry responsible for framing India's national telecom policy. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. TRAI is a statutory regulator that makes recommendations on telecom tariffs and services.
  2. The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications, grants authorisations/licences.
  3. TDSAT adjudicates disputes between a licensor and a licensee.
  4. TDSAT is the nodal ministry responsible for framing India's national telecom policy.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only