Digital Bharat Nidhi, which signed the BharatNet agreement for Telangana, was earlier known as:
- A.Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)
- B.Bharat Broadband Network Limited
- C.National Optical Fibre Network
- D.Telecom Development Fund
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The fund was established under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003, with effect from 1 April 2002, and under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 it became Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). It is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications in the Ministry of Communications, and its mandate is to support universal telecom service in under-served rural, remote and urban areas. The other options are not former names of DBN. Option B, Bharat Broadband Network Limited, is not described as DBN's predecessor. Option C, National Optical Fibre Network, is not the name of the fund. Option D, Telecom Development Fund, is also not linked to DBN in this context. DBN funds BharatNet, the 4G Saturation Project and mobile services in Aspirational Districts, Left Wing Extremism areas, Himalayan and border areas, islands and the North East.
Read the full article: Amended BharatNet: ₹3,189 Crore Pact for 12,769 Telangana Panchayats
Practice Questions
How many Gram Panchayats in Telangana are covered under the Amended BharatNet Program agreement signed in November 2026?
- A.10,787
- B.12,769
- C.1,946
- D.14,500
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This is the total scope of the Amended BharatNet Program in Telangana, made up of three parts: 1,946 Phase I Gram Panchayats that will be upgraded from linear to ring topology for a more resilient network, 10,787 Phase II Gram Panchayats that will be covered, and 36 newly created Gram…
Read the full explanation →On which date did the Union Cabinet approve the Amended BharatNet Program?
- A.15 August 2021
- B.4 August 2023
- C.1 April 2002
- D.6 November 2026
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On that date the Union Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Program to upgrade, consolidate and expand the existing BharatNet network so that all Gram Panchayats, and villages on demand, get robust and future-ready broadband.
Read the full explanation →Under Special Campaign 6, the number of e-waste recyclers, refurbishers and producers enrolled on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) rose from 38 to:
- A.More than 75
- B.More than 100
- C.More than 200
- D.More than 500
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Building on the e-waste focus of the previous campaign, Special Campaign 6 worked with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Central Pollution Control Board, State Pollution Control Boards and the recycling industry to link government offices with authorised recyclers, refurbishers and producers.
Read the full explanation →Which ministry earned the highest revenue from scrap disposal during Special Campaign 6?
- A.Ministry of Coal
- B.Ministry of Railways (Railway Board)
- C.Ministry of Defence (Department of Military Affairs)
- D.Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
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It was followed by the Department of Military Affairs with ₹88.96 crore, the Ministry of Coal with ₹61.41 crore and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with ₹34.81 crore.
Read the full explanation →How much revenue did Special Campaign 6 generate through the disposal of scrap, including e-waste?
- A.₹618.06 crore
- B.₹770.50 crore
- C.₹970.33 crore
- D.₹1,120.40 crore
Show answer
According to the consolidated data on the Special Campaign 6 portal, scrap disposal across ministries and departments, including e-waste, brought in ₹970.33 crore, about 16% more than Special Campaign 5.0.
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