UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Unveils Three New Initiatives; Underlines Government’s Push for Accessible Technology and Strengthened Digital Content Ecosystem

Q1. The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), the apex institute for the AVGC-XR sector, commenced its inaugural batch of courses in which year?

  • A. 2023
  • B. 2024
  • C. 2025
  • D. 2026

Q2. The National AI Skilling Initiative for the creative sector (with Google and YouTube) is being implemented through which apex institute?

  • A. Film and Television Institute of India (FTII)
  • B. Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT)
  • C. Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC)
  • D. National Film Development Corporation (NFDC)

Q3. DD Free Dish, India's free-to-air DTH service being upgraded with in-built satellite tuners, is operated by which body?

  • A. Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd (BECIL)
  • B. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
  • C. Prasar Bharati
  • D. BSNL

Q4. With reference to the recent DD Free Dish upgrade announced alongside the three initiatives, consider the following statements: 1. DD Free Dish is India's free-to-air DTH service that requires no monthly subscription. 2. The upgrade enables reception through in-built satellite tuners in television sets, eliminating the need for an external set-top box. 3. The upgrade introduces an Advanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) for navigating channels. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. DD Free Dish is India's free-to-air DTH service that requires no monthly subscription.
  2. The upgrade enables reception through in-built satellite tuners in television sets, eliminating the need for an external set-top box.
  3. The upgrade introduces an Advanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) for navigating channels.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. MyWAVES, one of the three initiatives launched, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A user-generated content feature on the WAVES OTT platform letting citizens create, upload and share content
  • B. A satellite-tuner technical standard for free-to-air DTH reception
  • C. A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for OTT content under the IT Rules
  • D. An AI certification awarded under the National AI Skilling Initiative

Q6. With reference to WAVES OTT and MyWAVES, consider the following statements: 1. WAVES OTT is operated by Prasar Bharati as a public service broadcaster's OTT platform. 2. WAVES OTT was launched in 2024 and has since crossed one crore registered users. 3. MyWAVES is the first and only platform in India that permits any user-generated content. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. WAVES OTT is operated by Prasar Bharati as a public service broadcaster's OTT platform.
  2. WAVES OTT was launched in 2024 and has since crossed one crore registered users.
  3. MyWAVES is the first and only platform in India that permits any user-generated content.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. The term 'Orange Economy', central to the government's creative-sector push, refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The economy driven by the convergence of content, creativity and culture
  • B. The economy built around digital platforms and the gig workforce
  • C. The green economy based on sustainable and low-carbon production
  • D. The informal cash economy outside the formal banking system

Q8. As framed by the government, the Orange Economy is described as the convergence of how many core elements (the 'Cs')?

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

Q9. Prasar Bharati, the statutory body operating DD Free Dish and WAVES OTT, functions under the administrative aegis of which Union Ministry?

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

Q10. Prasar Bharati is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A statutory autonomous public service broadcaster set up under the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990
  • B. The statutory regulator of private DTH and broadcasting operators in India
  • C. A registered non-profit society under the Societies Registration Act
  • D. A Section 8 not-for-profit company owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Q11. Under the National AI Skilling Initiative launched for the creative sector, how many creators/media professionals are to be trained free of cost (via scholarships)?

  • A. 5,000
  • B. 10,000
  • C. 15,000
  • D. 25,000

Q12. In the context of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting's creative-economy initiatives, 'WAVES' stands for which one of the following?

  • A. World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit
  • B. Wideband Audio Visual Entertainment System
  • C. Web Audio Visual Engagement Standard
  • D. World Animation, VFX and Entertainment Society
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