National Policies on IT and Communication is part of Information and Communication Technology. Below are notes on 10 sub-topics, followed by practice MCQs from State PSC and UPSC papers.

Broadband Connectivity Policies (e.g., BharatNet)

  • National Digital Communication Policy (NDCP) 2018 replaced NTP 2012, aiming for 'Broadband for All'.
  • NDCP 2018 introduced the 'National Broadband Mission' (Rashtriya Broadband Abhiyan).
  • Key components of the National Broadband Mission:

BharatNet/GramNet

Connecting all Gram Panchayats with optical fibre.

NagarNet

Establishing 1 million public Wi-Fi hotspots in urban areas.

Jan-WiFi

Establishing 5 million public Wi-Fi hotspots in rural areas.

  • 'Janta net' is not a recognized component of the National Broadband Mission under NDCP 2018.
  • BharatNet is a flagship project under the National Broadband Mission, providing affordable broadband to all Gram Panchayats using Optical Fibre Cable (OFC).
  • BharatNet is implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) under DoT and funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
  • Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) was established in 2002 under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
  • USOF's primary mandate is to provide universal access to communication facilities (telecom/broadband) in rural and remote areas at affordable prices.
  • USOF funds non-commercial telecom infrastructure projects (e.g., BharatNet) in underserved areas.
  • USOF is financed through a 'Universal Service Levy' charged to telecom service providers on their Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR).

Digital India Programme and its pillars

  • Digital India Programme (DIP):
    • Launch: July 1, 2015.
    • Vision: Transform India into a digitally empowered society & knowledge economy.
    • Administering Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
    • Three Key Vision Areas: Digital Infrastructure as a Core 1. Utility to Every Citizen. Governance & Services on De2. mand. Digital Empowerment of Cit3. izens.
    • Nine Pillars (Key Areas): Broadband Highways 1. Universal Access to Mobile 2. Connectivity Public Internet Access Pro3. gramme (e.g., CSCs, Post Offices) e-Governance – Reforming 4. Government Through Technology e-Kranti – Electronic Delivery 5. of Services Information for All 6. Electronics Manufacturing 7. IT for Jobs 8. Early Harvest Programmes 9.
  • Key Organizations in Indian ICT Sector (relevant to National Policies on IT and Communication):
    • National Informatics Centre (NIC): Premier S&T organization under MeitY, provides ICT infrastructure & services to Central & State Governments for e-Governance initiatives (e.g., under Digital India).
    • National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM): Industry body for IT-BPM sector; plays a significant role in policy advocacy, industry growth, and skill development, indirectly supporting Digital India's goals.
    • Department of Information Technology (DIT): Former government department, now largely subsumed into the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), responsible for IT policy & initiatives.

National Policy on Electronics (NPE)

  • National Policy on Electronics (NPE) was approved in 2012.
  • India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is a specialized, independent business division within the Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
  • ISM aims to build a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem to enable India's emergence as a global hub for electronics.

AI Promotion

Central Programme for Artificial Intelligence is

INDIAai.

  • India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) Overseen by the Digital India Corporation.

Spectrum Allocation and Telecom Regulatory Policies

  • Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) established on February 20, 1997, as the regulatory body for the Telecom sector.
  • Sam Pitroda is recognized for bringing the telecommunication revolution in India after 1984.
  • New Telecom Policy (NTP) 1999 opened the National Long Distance (NLD) Service to private operators without restrictions on the number of operators.
  • National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2012 focused on raising the competitiveness of India’s Telecom Sector.
  • New revised and simplified Other Service Provider (OSP) guidelines (2020-21) for ITBPO sector removed:
    • Registration requirement for OSPs.
    • Distinction between Domestic and International OSPs.
    • Requirement of bank guarantee.
  • India is the second-largest telecommunications market globally, with an overall teledensity of approximately 84 percent.
  • Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT) is committed to indigenous research and development (R&D) in the telecom sector.
  • The Telecom Commission approved '112' as the single pan-India emergency number in March 2016.
  • India is slated to host the World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) 2024.

Communication Technology

Practice MCQs: National Policies on IT and Communication

Broadband Connectivity Policies (e.g., BharatNet)

  1. According to the National Digital Communication Policy 2018, which of the following is not a part of “National Broadband Mission” – (Rashtriya Broadband Abhiyan) ?

    Asked in: ACF And Forest Range Officer Gr I Comp. Exam 2018

    1. Bharat net
    2. Gram net
    3. Nagar net
    4. Janta net
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Nagar net

    This question assesses knowledge of government policies, specifically the National Digital Communication Policy 2018 and its components related to broadband connectivity.

Digital India Programme and its pillars

  1. Q.No: 144 National organization working in the area of computers and communication technology is :

    Asked in: AR 2018

    1. National Informatics Centre
    2. National Association of Software and Services Companies
    3. Department of Information Technology
    4. All of these
    Show answer

    Answer: D. All of these

    National Informatics Centre (NIC), NASSCOM, and the Department of Information Technology are key national organizations involved in computing and communication technology in India.

National Policy on Electronics (NPE)

  1. Q100: National policy on electronics was approved in - A) 2010 B) 2011 C) 2012 D) 2013

    Asked in: Asstt. Jailor 2013

    1. 2010
    2. 2011
    3. 2012
    4. 2013
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 2012

    The National Policy on Electronics (NPE) was approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2012. It aimed to promote the growth of the electronics manufacturing sector in India.

  2. Regarding semiconductor, which of the following statements is/are correct? I. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is a specialized and independent business division within the Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. II. India Semiconductor Mission aims to build a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem to enable India's emergence as a global hub for electronics. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    Asked in: GS AE PHE 28 2023 1406 2024

    1. I only
    2. II only
    3. Both I and II
    4. Neither I nor II
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Both I and II

    The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was launched by the Government of India to promote the development and manufacturing of semiconductors and display panels within the country. Its objective is to reduce reliance on imports and establish India as a self-sufficient player in the global semiconductor industry.

Policies for Emerging Technologies (AI, Blockchain, IoT)

  1. What is the name of the Central Programme launched to promote Artificial Intelligence in India and beyond ?

    Asked in: TSPSC Group 1 Prelims 2024

    1. AI4Bharat
    2. INDIAai
    3. BHIMai
    4. VIKASai
    Show answer

    Answer: B. INDIAai

    INDIAai is the National Portal for Artificial Intelligence, serving as a central knowledge hub for AI- related developments in India. It was launched as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), National e-Governance Division (NeGD), and NASSCOM.

  2. Which organization overseas the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) ?

    Asked in: ae 2024

    1. National Research Council
    2. Digital India Corporation
    3. Ministry of Electronics
    4. Department of Industry
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Ministry of Electronics

    The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is a government initiative aimed at developing a robust semiconductor ecosystem in India. It functions under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Spectrum Allocation and Telecom Regulatory Policies

  1. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Telecommunication in India? 1. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India was set up on February 20, 1997 2. New Telecom Policy 1999 has opened the National Long Distance Service to private operators without any restrictions on the number of operators. 3. The thrust of National Telecom Policy 2012 was on raising the competitiveness of India’s Telecom Sector.

    Asked in: GPSC Prelims CSP 2 2022

    1. 1, 2 and 3
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1 and 2 only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 1, 2 and 3

    This question asks about the correctness of statements regarding Telecommunication in India. - Statement 1: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was set up on February 20, 1997. This is correct. TRAI was established by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997, with effect from February 20, 1997. - Statement 2: New Telecom Policy 1999 (NTP 1999) has opened the National Long Distance Service to private operators without any restrictions on the number of operators. This is correct. NTP 1999 liberalized the telecom sector, allowing private entry into various segments including National Long Distance (NLD) services, lifting restrictions on the number of licenses. - Statement 3: The thrust of National Telecom Policy 2012 (NTP 2012) was on raising the competitiveness of India’s Telecom Sector. While NTP 2012 had broader objectives including increasing rural density, broadband penetration, and security, fostering a competitive environment was indeed a significant aspect and objective ("facilitate the development of a vibrant and competitive telecommunications sector" is mentioned in the preamble and objectives). Thus, this statement can be considered correct in summarizing a key thrust. Since all three statements are correct, option A is the correct answer.

  2. What is the name of the technical person who brought revolution in India's telecommunication system after 1984 ?

    Asked in: MPSC CS Prelims 2012

    1. Vikram Sarabhai
    2. Sam Pitroda
    3. Raja Ramanna
    4. Madhavan Nair
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Sam Pitroda

    Sam Pitroda served as an advisor to the Prime Minister of India and played a pivotal role in modernizing India's telecommunications sector in the 1980s, often referred to as the "father of India's telecom revolution".

  3. 'TRAI' is a regulatory body associated with which of the following sectors?

    1. Transport
    2. Tourism
    3. Telecom
    4. Technical Education
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Telecom

  4. Future Trends in Information and Communication Technology TRAI is the regulatory body for the Telecom sector. 13. The Telecom Commission on March 2016 has approved a number for India. What is the number

    Asked in: Civil Judge 2018 · FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS OFFICER TREASURY OFFICER 2016

    1. 112
    2. 911
    3. 999
    4. 100
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 112

    This question pertains to public utility services and emergency response systems implemented in India.

  5. Which among the following countries will host World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) 2024 ?

    Asked in: Government Dairy Supervisor and Sugar Cane

    1. India
    2. China
    3. Bangladesh
    4. Saudi Arabia
    Show answer

    Answer: A. India

    Supervisor Examination2 -2023 This question pertains to international conferences and events, and knowing which country is hosting them is part of global awareness.