Telecommunications Act, 2023
Science & Technology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
This Act signifies a major overhaul of India's telecom regulatory landscape, impacting digital governance, national security, economic competition in the telecom sector, and potentially individual privacy and freedom of speech. Its provisions are crucial for understanding India's digital future and the balance between state power and citizen rights.
The Telecommunications Act, 2023 is a landmark legislation in India that replaces the archaic Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and other related laws. It aims to modernize the regulatory framework for telecommunication services, adapt to technological advancements, and streamline licensing procedures in the digital age.
Facts & tables
- Replaced Acts
- Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933
- Regulatory Framework Change
- Replaces 'licensing' with 'authorisation' for telecom operators
- New Fund Name
- Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) renamed to Digital Bharat Nidhi
- Expanded Government Powers
- Broadens definition of 'telecommunication' to potentially include messaging apps; allows seizure of telecom infrastructure for national security/war
| Feature | Old Regime (Indian Telegraph Act, 1885) | New Regime (Telecommunications Act, 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Framework | Licensing | Authorisation |
| Fund for Rural Telecom | Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) | Digital Bharat Nidhi |
| Scope of 'Telecommunication' | Narrower, focused on traditional services | Broader, potentially includes messaging apps |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Emerging Information Technologies |
| Conceptual area | Separation of Powers & Constitutional Ideals |
| Conceptual area | Fundamental Rights |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Department of Telecommunications (DoT) | Implements |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- Replaced Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933.
- USOF renamed Digital Bharat Nidhi to fund digital infrastructure.
- Introduces 'authorisation' regime for telecom operators, replacing 'licensing'.
- Expands government's power to regulate messaging apps and seize telecom infrastructure for national security.
- Aims to modernize telecom regulation, impacting digital governance and individual rights.
Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2024 | Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2022 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2020 | Terminology-based question, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Policy measures |
| 2016 | Factual recall, Terminology-based question |
Timeline
-
Emerging Information Technologies
Conceptual area
-
Separation of Powers & Constitutional Ideals
Conceptual area
-
Fundamental Rights
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2016
Factual recall, Terminology-based question
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2020
Terminology-based question, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2022
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2024
Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Explained | The Telecommunications Act, 2023 comes into force
The Telecommunications Act, 2023, modernizes India's telecom laws, replacing colonial-era acts. It introduces an 'authorisation' regime, renames USOF to Digital Bharat Nidhi, and grants the government expanded powers over digital communication and infrastructure for national security.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2016–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
Explained | The Telecommunications Act, 2023 comes into force
The Telecommunications Act, 2023, modernizes India's telecom laws, replacing colonial-era acts. It introduces an 'authorisation' regime, renames USOF to Digital Bharat Nidhi, and grants the government expanded powers over digital communication and infrastructure for national security.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following
1. Aarogya Setu
2. CoWIN
3. Digi Locker
4. DIKSHA
Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?
An open-source digital platform is essentially a software platform where the underlying code is freely available for anyone to see, modify, and distribute. This openness fosters collaboration, transparency, and innovation in software development. All of the above (1. Aarogya Setu, 2. CoWIN, 3. Digi Locker, 4. DIKSHA) are built on top of open-source digital platforms. - Aarogya Setu initially wasn't open-source, but the Indian government later made its source code available. - CoWIN leverages open-source software for its development. - DigiLocker utilizes an open-source platform called Digital Locker System.
- DIKSHA is built on the open-source platform Sunbird.
In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of
In India, the term "Public Key Infrastructure" (PKI) is used in the context of digital security infrastructure. PKI is a system that facilitates secure electronic communication and transactions by using digital certificates, certificate authorities, and other related components. It plays a vital role in ensuring the authenticity, confidentiality, and integrity of data exchanged online.
Consider the following communication technologies:
1. Closed-circuit Television
2. Radio Frequency Identification
3. Wireless Local Area Network
Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/technologies?
Out of the listed communication technologies, all three can be considered short-range devices/technologies. Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV): CCTV systems primarily use cables or wireless connections with a limited range, typically within a building or a designated area. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): RFID uses radio waves to identify objects. The reading range of RFID tags depends on the specific technology but generally falls within the short-range category, from a few centimetres to a few meters. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): WLANs, commonly known as Wi-Fi networks, typically operate within a range of tens of meters indoors and up to hundreds of meters outdoors depending on factors like signal strength and frequency band. While the range might be slightly larger than the others on this list, WLANs still fall under the short-range classification compared to technologies like cellular networks or satellite communication.
With reference to the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, consider the following statements :
1. To implement the scheme, the Central Government provides 100% funding.
2. Under the Scheme, Cadastral Maps are digitised.
3. An initiative has been undertaken to transliterate the Records of Rights from local language to any of the languages recognized by the Constitution of India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
* Statement 1: Correct. The Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) is 100% centrally funded by the Central Government for Union Territories and North-Eastern States. For other states, the funding pattern may vary, but it largely involves central assistance for implementing the scheme. * Statement 2: Correct. Cadastral Maps (detailed maps showing boundaries of individual land parcels) are being digitized under the scheme. This aims to create accurate digital land records, enabling better governance and reduced disputes. * Statement 3: Correct. An initiative has been undertaken to transliterate Records of Rights (RoR) from local languages into languages recognized by the Constitution of India. This improves accessibility and ensures land records are understood by a wider audience.
‘Project Loon’, sometimes seen in the news, is related to -
Project Loon was an ambitious initiative by Loon LLC, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (Google's parent company), aimed at providing internet connectivity to remote and underserved regions worldwide. The project deployed high-altitude balloons in the stratosphere, equipped with networking technology to create an aerial wireless network, functioning like floating cell towers. These balloons were designed to deliver internet access in disaster-hit areas and regions with poor infrastructure. However, despite its technological success, Project Loon was discontinued in January 2021 due to difficulties in achieving commercial sustainability. Hence, the correct answer is option B.
Show 3 more PYQs
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017?
1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade.
2. It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by our country.
3. It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a decade.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is not a scheme for developing Smart Cities. Instead, it is a nationwide initiative aimed at identifying innovative digital technology solutions to solve real-world challenges across various sectors. Statement 2 is correct: The Government of India launched the Smart India Hackathon to encourage students and professionals to develop innovative digital solutions for challenges in agriculture, health, education, energy, environment, and other domains. It serves as a platform for young minds to engage in problem-solving and contribute to technological advancements. Statement 3 is incorrect: While the hackathon focuses on digital technology innovations, it is not specifically centered on digital financial transactions. Instead, it covers a wide range of sectors where technology can drive efficiency and innovation. Hence, correct answer is option (B).
Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of the Government of India :
I. The Sagarmala Programme seeks to achieve port-led economic growth through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure.
II. The success of the Sagarmala Programme is reflected in significant growth in coastal and inland waterway shipping, along with improved global port rankings.
III. Sagarmala 2.0 aims to position India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 visions.
Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ?
1. Statement II validates the effectiveness of the strategies envisioned in statement I.
2. Statement III extends the objectives of statement I by embedding them into a future-oriented innovation framework.
3. Statement I contradicts statement III by focusing only on traditional infrastructure instead of modern innovation.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Relationship 1 is Correct: Statement I outlines the core objective of the Sagarmala Programme, launched in 2015, which is port-led economic development through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure. Statement II provides empirical evidence of its success, such as the 118% growth in coastal shipping, a 700% surge in inland waterway cargo movement, and improved global port rankings (with nine Indian ports now in the global top 100). Thus, the tangible achievements in Statement II directly validate the effectiveness of the foundational strategies mentioned in Statement I. Relationship 2 is Correct: Statement III highlights the goals of Sagarmala 2.0, which focuses on smart ports, green shipping, and positioning India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat visions. This acts as an evolutionary extension of the foundational infrastructure goals in Statement I, embedding them into a broader, future-oriented innovation framework rather than replacing them. Relationship 3 is Incorrect: Statement I does not contradict Statement III. The initial focus on traditional and sustainable coastal infrastructure in the original Sagarmala Programme serves as the necessary physical base upon which the modern innovation and technology-driven goals of Sagarmala 2.0 are built. The two phases are complementary and represent a progressive policy evolution, not a contradiction. Therefore, relationships 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the correct choice.
In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used?
1. Mobile phone operations
2. Banking operations
3. Controlling the power grids
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based navigation system that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth. It has a wide range of applications. Statement 1 is correct. GPS is used in mobile phones for various purposes such as location tracking, navigation, and location-based services. Statement 2 is correct. GPS is used in banking operations for ATM location services and for time-stamping transactions, which is crucial for maintaining accurate records. Statement 3 is correct. GPS is used for time-stamping power system measurements, which is vital for grid stability and synchronization. Therefore, GPS technology can be used in all the three areas mentioned.