Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the passage:
India’s digital transformation over the last decade has been nothing short of revolutionary. What began as a modest attempt to expand internet access has now evolved into one of the largest digital ecosystems in the world. Spearheaded by government initiatives such as Digital India, the country has witnessed an unprecedented surge in internet penetration, digital payments, and online governance. A pivotal moment in this journey was the launch of Aadhaar, a biometric-based identification system that enabled secure and streamlined access to various public services. Coupled with the rise of Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India has leapfrogged traditional banking hurdles and facilitated real-time, low-cost transactions across urban and rural regions alike. Significantly, the pandemic acted as an unexpected catalyst. As lockdowns forced physical distancing, citizens turned to digital alternatives—telemedicine, online education, and remote work became not just accessible but essential. This sudden shift forced both public and private sectors to rethink infrastructure and embrace scalable tech solutions. However, the digital journey hasn’t been without obstacles. A persistent digital divide remains, particularly between urban and rural populations. While metros enjoy high-speed broadband, many villages struggle with basic connectivity. Moreover, concerns around data privacy, cybersecurity, and misinformation have emerged as pressing issues in this digital age. Nonetheless, India’s digital growth story remains a testament to its adaptability and ambition. With over 850 million internet users and counting, the nation stands at a crucial intersection—where robust digital policy, inclusive access, and responsible innovation will determine the trajectory of its digital future.
What role did Aadhaar play in digital growth?
- (a)Promoted telecom infrastructure
- (b)Enabled biometric voting
- (c)Offered unified payments
- (d)Enabled access to public services
Answer
Why
Correct — D. The passage defines Aadhaar in one sentence: A pivotal moment in this journey was the launch of Aadhaar, a biometric-based identification system that enabled secure and streamlined access to various public services.
The option keeps the verb and its object: enabled access to public services → option (d).
Why the others are wrong
- (a)Promoted telecom infrastructure — Telecom infrastructure is never linked to Aadhaar in the passage. The text credits Aadhaar with access to services and mentions connectivity only as a gap in villages.
- (b)Enabled biometric voting — Biometric voting misreads biometric-based identification. The passage uses biometrics to identify people for public services and says nothing about voting.
- (c)Offered unified payments — Unified payments belongs to UPI, which the passage introduces in the next sentence: Coupled with the rise of Unified Payments Interface (UPI). It is a separate development, not Aadhaar's role.
Concept
Detail questions reward keeping neighbouring facts apart. The passage names Aadhaar and UPI in back-to-back sentences.
Aadhaar is the identification system that enabled access to public services. UPI is tied to real-time, low-cost transactions across urban and rural regions.
Options (b) and (c) each borrow a real word from those sentences, biometric and unified payments, and attach it to the wrong claim.
Telecom infrastructure and voting appear nowhere in the passage. Biometric and unified payments do, but attached to other claims.
Key facts
- The passage calls Aadhaar a biometric-based identification system.
- It says Aadhaar enabled secure and streamlined access to various public services.
- Real-time, low-cost transactions are credited to the rise of UPI, in the following sentence.
Study next
Common traps
- Choosing Offered unified payments because Aadhaar and UPI sit side by side in the passage.
- Choosing Enabled biometric voting because biometric appears in the Aadhaar sentence.
The same passage runs from Q.15 to Q.19 of the 14 Sep 2025, 16:00 sitting. Q.18 asks for a current challenge and is keyed Digital divide and data privacy, from the sentences that follow However.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.