UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Addendum to the Signed Agreement between DBN (Digital Bharat Nidhi) - Department of Telecommunications, Government of Gujarat, GFGNL and BSNL to strengthen broadband infrastructure across the state
Q1. The Digital Bharat Nidhi, which finances the Amended BharatNet Programme, is administered under which one of the following?
- A. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- B. Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications
- C. Ministry of Rural Development
- D. Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications
Q2. With reference to the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) and its predecessor, the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), consider the following statements:
1. The USOF derived from the Indian Telegraph Act framework, whereas the DBN derives its statutory basis from the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
2. Unlike the erstwhile USOF, the Digital Bharat Nidhi may also be used to fund research and development in telecommunications.
3. The Digital Bharat Nidhi is administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, whereas the USOF was under the Department of Telecommunications.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The USOF derived from the Indian Telegraph Act framework, whereas the DBN derives its statutory basis from the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
- Unlike the erstwhile USOF, the Digital Bharat Nidhi may also be used to fund research and development in telecommunications.
- The Digital Bharat Nidhi is administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, whereas the USOF was under the Department of Telecommunications.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. The Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) was approved by which authority and in which year?
- A. NITI Aayog, 2021
- B. Union Cabinet, 2023
- C. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, 2023
- D. Union Cabinet, 2011
Q4. With reference to the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP), consider the following statements:
1. Its total approved outlay for Phase-I and Phase-II is ₹42,068 crore (exclusive of GST and local taxes).
2. It targets optical fibre connectivity in ring topology to about 2.64 lakh Gram Panchayats.
3. Connectivity to non-Gram-Panchayat villages is provided on a demand-driven basis.
4. The programme is financed directly from the Consolidated Fund of India rather than the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- Its total approved outlay for Phase-I and Phase-II is ₹42,068 crore (exclusive of GST and local taxes).
- It targets optical fibre connectivity in ring topology to about 2.64 lakh Gram Panchayats.
- Connectivity to non-Gram-Panchayat villages is provided on a demand-driven basis.
- The programme is financed directly from the Consolidated Fund of India rather than the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q5. Under the state-led rollout of the Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat, which one of the following is the designated State Implementing Agency to which BharatNet works are handed over?
- A. Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL)
- B. Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL)
- C. Gujarat Informatics Limited
- D. GIFT City Company Limited
Q6. Which one of the following best describes the 'state-led implementation model' of the Amended BharatNet Programme?
- A. The central PSU BSNL directly executes all works, with the state government only providing land
- B. A state-designated agency takes over BharatNet works and responsibilities for implementation within the state, funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi
- C. The state government fully finances and implements the project from its own budget without central support
- D. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India implements the project on behalf of the state
Q7. With reference to the Telecommunications Act, 2023 as compared with the earlier telegraph-era regime, consider the following statements:
1. The Act repeals the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
2. Under the Act, all spectrum is assigned only through administrative allocation and never through auction.
3. The Act renames the Universal Service Obligation Fund as the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Act repeals the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
- Under the Act, all spectrum is assigned only through administrative allocation and never through auction.
- The Act renames the Universal Service Obligation Fund as the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q8. Which of the following legislations is/are repealed by the Telecommunications Act, 2023?
1. The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
2. The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933
3. The Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950
4. The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1950
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885
- The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933
- The Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950
- The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1950
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q9. Within the institutional set-up of the Digital Bharat Nidhi, the official who heads and administers the fund holds which one of the following designations?
- A. Administrator
- B. Director General
- C. Chairperson
- D. Secretary
Q10. Consider the following as features of the network design of the Amended BharatNet Programme:
1. Optical fibre connectivity using MPLS technology
2. Ring topology to enhance network resilience
3. Coverage target of about 2.64 lakh Gram Panchayats
4. Use of geostationary satellite as the sole backbone medium in place of optical fibre
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- Optical fibre connectivity using MPLS technology
- Ring topology to enhance network resilience
- Coverage target of about 2.64 lakh Gram Panchayats
- Use of geostationary satellite as the sole backbone medium in place of optical fibre
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 3 only
- C. 2 and 4
- D. 4 only