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 is a current challenge in India’s digital development?
- (a)Internet monopoly by private ISPs
- (b)Lack of mobile phone production
- (c)Digital divide and data privacy
- (d)Excess of international investors
Answer
Why
Correct — C. The question asks for a current challenge, so read after the passage's turn word However: 'the digital journey hasn’t been without obstacles.'
The obstacles follow: 'A persistent digital divide remains, particularly between urban and rural populations', and 'concerns around data privacy, cybersecurity, and misinformation have emerged as pressing issues'.
The option pairs those two named problems → option (c).
Why the others are wrong
- (a)Internet monopoly by private ISPs — Private ISPs and monopoly appear nowhere in the passage. Its connectivity problem is the gap between metros with 'high-speed broadband' and villages that 'struggle with basic connectivity', not a market held by one provider.
- (b)Lack of mobile phone production — Mobile phone production is never discussed. The passage is about access and use — internet penetration, digital payments, online governance — not about manufacturing devices.
- (d)Excess of international investors — Investors, foreign or domestic, are not mentioned. The passage names no problem with outside money; its challenges are the digital divide and concerns over privacy, security and misinformation.
Concept
A detail question asks for something the passage states outright. The work is locating it, not inferring it.
Signal words show where to look. However turns this passage from achievements (Digital India, Aadhaar, UPI, the pandemic push) to problems, and Moreover adds a second problem to the first.
An option built on a subject the passage never raises — ISPs, phone factories, investors — fails before any other test.
The Moreover sentence lists three concerns: data privacy, cybersecurity and misinformation. The keyed option names data privacy alone and still stands, because both its halves are in the text and no other option's subject is.
Key facts
- The passage names a persistent digital divide between urban and rural populations as an obstacle.
- Its contrast: metros enjoy high-speed broadband while many villages struggle with basic connectivity.
- It lists data privacy, cybersecurity and misinformation as pressing issues.
- The word 'However' marks its turn from achievements to obstacles.
Study next
Common traps
- Choosing an option that sounds like a real problem of Indian internet policy when the passage never mentions it.
- Doubting the keyed answer because it joins two issues — the passage names both, a few lines apart, after 'However'.
English Q.15 to Q.19 of this sitting are set on this passage and follow it in order: the initiative, Aadhaar, the pandemic, this challenge question, then the future. So for Q.18, read from 'However' onward.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.