UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Highlights of Telecom Subscription Data at the end of April 2026

Q1. The monthly 'Highlights of Telecom Subscription Data' report for April 2026, which placed India's total telephone subscribers at 1337.54 million and overall tele-density at 93.69%, is issued under the authority of which of the following?

  • A. The Ministry of Communications, summarising subscription data compiled from operator returns by TRAI/DoT
  • B. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the Digital India programme
  • C. NITI Aayog, as part of its infrastructure monitoring dashboard
  • D. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), through the NSSO

Q2. With reference to the change in India's telecom aggregates between end-March 2026 and end-April 2026, consider the following statements: 1. Total telephone subscribers rose from 1330.58 million to 1337.54 million. 2. Total broadband subscribers rose from 1065.88 million to 1073.44 million. 3. Overall tele-density declined over the month to settle at 93.69% at the end of April 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Total telephone subscribers rose from 1330.58 million to 1337.54 million.
  2. Total broadband subscribers rose from 1065.88 million to 1073.44 million.
  3. Overall tele-density declined over the month to settle at 93.69% at the end of April 2026.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The bifurcation of India's telephone subscriber base into wireless (1288.96 million) and wireline (48.58 million) segments for April 2026 is compiled and reported primarily by which body?

  • A. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
  • B. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
  • C. Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)
  • D. Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC)

Q4. As per the telecom subscription data at the end of April 2026, how many million wireline (fixed-line) telephone subscribers did India have?

  • A. 48.58 million
  • B. 46.84 million
  • C. 1288.96 million
  • D. 1073.44 million

Q5. The classification of India's telephone subscribers into urban (783.12 million) and rural (554.41 million) categories, as reported for April 2026, is done on the basis of Telecom Service Area norms administered by which authority?

  • A. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India / Department of Telecommunications
  • B. The Census of India (Registrar General & Census Commissioner)
  • C. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)
  • D. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)

Q6. Of the total net addition of 6.95 million telephone subscribers in April 2026, the single largest contribution came from which category?

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

Q7. Which one of the following most accurately describes the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)?

  • A. A statutory regulatory body established by an Act of Parliament in 1997
  • B. A constitutional body created under a specific Article of the Constitution in 1995
  • C. A registered society set up by an executive resolution in 2000
  • D. An attached office of the Cabinet Secretariat formed in 2003

Q8. As per the TRAI Act, 1997, who heads the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India?

  • A. A Chairperson appointed by the Central Government
  • B. The Secretary, Department of Telecommunications
  • C. The Minister of Communications
  • D. The Cabinet Secretary

Q9. The telecom subscription highlights are released under the Ministry of Communications. This Ministry comprises how many departments?

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

Q10. Which of the following is the apex decision-making body of the Department of Telecommunications?

  • A. Digital Communications Commission (DCC)
  • B. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
  • C. Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)
  • D. Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC)

Q11. By approximately how many million did India's wireless (mobile + FWA) subscriber base grow between end-March 2026 and end-April 2026?

  • A. 6.63 million
  • B. 6.95 million
  • C. 4.05 million
  • D. 7.56 million

Q12. With reference to the definition and classification of broadband in India, consider the following statements: 1. A 'Basic' broadband connection covers download speeds from 2 Mbps to 50 Mbps. 2. A 'Fast' broadband connection covers download speeds from 50 Mbps to 300 Mbps. 3. A 'Super Fast' broadband connection covers download speeds above 300 Mbps. 4. The current minimum download speed for a connection to qualify as broadband is 512 kbps. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. A 'Basic' broadband connection covers download speeds from 2 Mbps to 50 Mbps.
  2. A 'Fast' broadband connection covers download speeds from 50 Mbps to 300 Mbps.
  3. A 'Super Fast' broadband connection covers download speeds above 300 Mbps.
  4. The current minimum download speed for a connection to qualify as broadband is 512 kbps.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4