UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Q1. With reference to the institutional framework for telecom regulation in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A dispute between two telecom service providers falls to be adjudicated by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) rather than by TRAI.
  2. A direction issued by TRAI to a service provider can be challenged in appeal before TDSAT.
  3. Because consumer protection is part of TRAI's mandate, TRAI continues to adjudicate disputes between a service provider and a group of consumers.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Since the amendment of the TRAI Act in 2000, TRAI cannot adjudicate a dispute between a licensor and a licensee.
  2. TRAI has the power to issue directions to service providers to secure compliance with its regulations.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. With reference to the relationship between TRAI and the Central Government in spectrum and authorisation matters, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Central Government seeks TRAI's recommendations on matters such as the terms and conditions of authorisations and the assignment of spectrum.
  2. Because TRAI regulates telecom tariffs, it also fixes the reserve price at which spectrum is finally auctioned.
  3. Once TRAI reconsiders a recommendation after a back-reference, the Central Government is bound to accept the revised recommendation.
  4. If the Central Government prima facie disagrees with a TRAI recommendation, it may refer the recommendation back to TRAI for reconsideration.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Q4. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, TRAI assigns spectrum for satellite-based communication services through an administrative process.
  2. The Telecommunications Act, 2023 lists satellite services among the purposes for which spectrum is assigned administratively instead of by auction.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q5. With reference to the India AI Governance Guidelines, as of 2026, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Sectoral regulators remain responsible for enforcement and oversight of AI use within their respective legal mandates.
  2. The guidelines recommend the immediate enactment of a single horizontal law to regulate all uses of AI.
  3. The guiding principles (sutras) are designed to be technology-agnostic and applicable across sectors.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 only

Q6. With reference to the regulation of unsolicited commercial communication (spam calls and SMS) in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Because unsolicited commercial communication involves personal data, its regulation rests exclusively with the Data Protection Board under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
  2. The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations are binding regulations framed by TRAI, not merely advisory guidelines.
  3. Obligations under the anti-spam framework fall on access service providers as well, and not only on telemarketers and senders.
  4. TRAI amends the anti-spam regulations after publishing a draft and inviting stakeholder comments.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 2, 3 and 4 only