Information & Communication Technology

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) refers to technologies used for collecting, processing, storing, retrieving and communicating information.

सूचना एवं संचार प्रौद्योगिकी उन technologies का समूह है जिनका उपयोग information को collect, process, store, retrieve और transmit करने के लिए किया जाता है।

• ICT के Components
• Computer hardware
• Software
• Internet and networks
• Telecommunication
• Audio-video technology
• Digital platforms
• Cloud services
• Database systems
• Mobile communication
• Artificial Intelligence
• Educational Example

जब teacher Google Meet पर live class लेता है, LMS पर notes upload करता है और online quiz से assessment करता है, तो वह ICT-enabled teaching कर रहा है।

• A. Computer and Storage

• B. Internet and Networking

• C. E-mail

• D. Education and Governance

• Hardware

Physical components of a computer that can be seen or touched.

Examples: Keyboard, monitor, CPU, printer, hard disk.

• Software

Instructions or programs that direct a computer to perform tasks.

• Types of Software
• System Software: Operating system, device drivers
• Application Software: Word processor, browser, spreadsheet
• Utility Software: Antivirus, backup, compression tools
• Example

• Input Devices

Data को computer में enter करते हैं।

• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Scanner
• Microphone
• Webcam
• Barcode reader
• OCR
• OMR
• MICR
• Touchscreen
• Output Devices

Processed information प्रस्तुत करते हैं।

• Monitor
• Printer
• Speaker
• Projector
• Plotter
• Important Devices

• Exam Trap

OMR handwritten essay नहीं पढ़ता।

OCR shaded circles identify करने का primary device नहीं है।

MICR का प्रमुख उपयोग banking में होता है।

• Primary Memory

CPU द्वारा directly accessible memory.

• RAM
• Volatile memory
• Temporary storage
• Power बंद होने पर data lost
• Read and write possible
• ROM
• Non-volatile memory
• Permanent instructions
• Power बंद होने पर data retained
• Cache Memory
• Very fast memory
• CPU और main memory के बीच
• Frequently used data/instructions रखती है
• Secondary Storage
• HDD
• SSD
• Pen drive
• Memory card
• CD/DVD
• Magnetic tape
• Memory Hierarchy

ऊपर से नीचे जाने पर:

• Speed decreases
• Capacity increases
• Cost per unit generally decreases

Traditional binary convention में:

1 KB=1024 Bytes1\text{ KB}=1024\text{ Bytes} 1 MB=1024 KB1\text{ MB}=1024\text{ KB} 1 GB=1024 MB1\text{ GB}=1024\text{ MB} 1 TB=1024 GB1\text{ TB}=1024\text{ GB}

• Order

• Exam Trap

Lowercase b means bit and uppercase B means byte.

• PAN — Personal Area Network

एक व्यक्ति के आसपास छोटी range का network।

Example: Smartphone और wireless earbuds का Bluetooth connection।

• LAN — Local Area Network

छोटे geographical area में network।

Example: Computer laboratory or university department.

• MAN — Metropolitan Area Network

City या metropolitan area तक फैला network।

• WAN — Wide Area Network

Large geographical area covering countries or continents.

Example: Internet.

• Range Formula
• PAN < LAN < MAN < WAN

• Internet

A global public network of interconnected networks.

• Intranet

Internet technologies पर आधारित private organisational network।

Example: University का internal faculty portal.

• Extranet

Controlled private network in which selected outsiders are also given authorised access.

Example: University portal accessed by authorised vendors or collaborating institutions.

Internet = Everyone Intranet = Employees/Internal members Extranet = Employees + Authorised outsiders

• Internet

Physical and logical network infrastructure connecting devices worldwide.

• World Wide Web

Internet पर उपलब्ध interlinked web pages और resources की service।

Internet is the infrastructure; WWW is a service running on it.

• Other Internet Services
• E-mail
• FTP
• VoIP
• Video conferencing
• Web browsing
• Cloud services
• Instant messaging
• Exam Trap

Internet और WWW समान concepts नहीं हैं। WWW, Internet की services में से एक है।

• Website

Related web pages का collection।

• Webpage

Website का single document/page।

• Home Page

Website का main or introductory page।

• Web Browser

Web resources access और display करने वाला software।

Examples: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari.

• Search Engine

Internet पर information search करने वाली service।

Examples: Google, Bing.

• Exam Trap

Google primarily search engine है; Chrome browser है।

• URL

Internet resource का complete address।

Example:

• https://www.example.com/course/page1
• Components

• Domain Examples

• Exam Trap

UDP का fast होना यह नहीं दर्शाता कि वह TCP से अधिक reliable है।

Electronic mail is a system for sending digital messages through a network.

• Major Fields
• To

Primary recipient.

• CC — Carbon Copy

Additional recipients visible to everyone.

• BCC — Blind Carbon Copy

Additional recipients whose addresses other recipients cannot see.

• Subject

Message का concise purpose.

• Attachment

Message के साथ भेजी गई file.

• E-mail Protocols

• POP3 vs IMAP

• Example

यदि user mobile और laptop दोनों पर same inbox status देखना चाहता है, IMAP अधिक suitable है।

• Audio Conferencing

Participants केवल audio के माध्यम से communicate करते हैं।

• Video Conferencing

Real-time audio and visual communication.

Examples: Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Webex.

• Essential Requirements
• Computer/mobile device
• Microphone
• Speaker/headphones
• Camera for video
• Internet connection
• Conferencing software/platform
• Synchronous Communication

Participants same time पर interact करते हैं।

Examples: Live Google Meet class, webinar, chat.

• Asynchronous Communication

Participants का same time पर present होना आवश्यक नहीं।

Examples: Recorded lecture, discussion forum, e-mail.

• Advantages in Education
• Remote access
• Guest lectures
• Collaboration
• Immediate interaction
• Reduced travel cost
• Screen sharing and demonstration
• Recording and revision
• Limitations
• Bandwidth problems
• Digital divide
• Screen fatigue
• Reduced non-verbal cues
• Privacy concerns
• Technology anxiety
• Distraction and multitasking

• Bandwidth

A communication channel की theoretical data-carrying capacity.

• Data Transfer Rate

Actual data transferred per unit time.

• Latency

Data को source से destination तक पहुँचने में लगने वाला delay.

• Jitter

Packet delay में variation.

• Video-conferencing Example

• Exam Trap

High bandwidth alone does not guarantee perfect video conferencing; latency, jitter, congestion and device performance भी relevant हैं।

• E-learning

Electronic technologies के माध्यम से learning.

• Online Learning

Internet-based learning.

• Blended Learning

Face-to-face और online learning का planned combination.

• Flipped Classroom

Learners class से पहले instructional content देखते हैं और classroom time discussion, application तथा problem-solving के लिए उपयोग होता है।

• LMS

Learning Management System courses, content, assessment, attendance and learner progress को manage करता है।

Examples: Moodle, Canvas and institutional LMS.

• Comparison

• Massive: Large number of learners
• Open: Broad accessibility
• Online: Internet-based delivery
• Course: Organised learning experience
• Major Characteristics
• Learner-centric
• Flexible access
• Scalability
• Multimedia content
• Discussion and interaction
• Assessment and certification possible
• Self-paced or scheduled course possible
• Credit and non-credit courses possible
• Exam Trap

सभी MOOCs credit-based नहीं होते।

MOOCs केवल SWAYAM पर उपलब्ध नहीं होते।

Open access का अर्थ automatically high completion rate नहीं है।

Course access free हो सकता है, लेकिन certification examination के लिए fee हो सकती है।

• Self-assessment Includes
• Quizzes
• Assignments
• Practice exercises
• Tests
• Questions and answers

• Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds

SWAYAM is India’s online learning platform designed to facilitate access to courses across school and higher-education levels. The official platform describes access from Class 9 to postgraduate level, available to learners anywhere and anytime. Official SWAYAM information

• Core Principles
• Access + Equity + Quality
• National Coordinators Frequently Asked in Exams

Coordinator allocation may be revised administratively; exam questions should be answered according to the framework stated in the question or prescribed material.

SWAYAM PRABHA is a group of educational DTH channels that telecast educational programmes on a 24×7 basis and use satellite communication. Official PM e-VIDYA information associates it with GSAT-15. Official SWAYAM PRABHA information

• SWAYAM vs SWAYAM PRABHA

• High-Frequency Associations

Digital divide means inequality in access to and effective use of digital technology.

डिजिटल विभाजन technology की उपलब्धता, affordability, skills और meaningful use में असमानता है।

• Dimensions
• Access divide
• Affordability divide
• Rural–urban divide
• Gender divide
• Language divide
• Disability-related divide
• Digital-literacy divide
• Quality-of-connectivity divide
• Usage and outcome divide
• Example

Student के पास smartphone है, लेकिन stable Internet और digital literacy नहीं है। Device access होने के बावजूद meaningful access incomplete है।

• Inclusive Measures
• Accessible digital content
• Captions and transcripts
• Screen-reader compatibility
• Regional-language content
• Low-bandwidth resources
• Offline downloads
• Community digital centres
• Digital-literacy training

• Teaching Applications
• Multimedia presentations
• Smart classrooms
• Simulations
• Virtual laboratories
• Recorded lectures
• Flipped classrooms
• Adaptive learning
• Learning Applications
• Self-paced study
• Digital libraries
• Peer collaboration
• Discussion forums
• Remote learning
• Personalised feedback
• Assessment Applications
• Computer-based testing
• Online quizzes
• Automated feedback
• E-portfolios
• Learning analytics

• Research Applications
• Literature search
• Reference management
• Online surveys
• Data analysis
• Plagiarism checking
• Collaborative writing
• Institutional repositories
• Video interviews
• Administration
• Online admission
• Student-information systems
• Attendance and examination management
• Digital certificates
• Financial management
• Academic Bank and document services

• E-Governance

Use of ICT by government to improve administration, service delivery, transparency, participation and accountability.

• Types of E-Governance Interaction

• Objectives
• Faster services
• Transparency
• Reduced paperwork
• Better record management
• Citizen participation
• Reduced transaction costs
• Monitoring and accountability
• Wider accessibility
• Governance Models
• Information Model

Government information online उपलब्ध कराना।

• Interaction Model

Citizen feedback, queries and communication.

• Transaction Model

Online payment, application, certificate or licence.

• Transformation Model

Departments और services का integrated digital restructuring.

• Participation Model

Online consultation and citizen involvement.

MeitY’s official digital-governance material covers areas such as the National e-Governance Plan, DigiLocker and e-governance infrastructure. MeitY Digital Governance

• Transparency
• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Responsiveness
• Inclusion
• Efficiency
• Security
• Privacy
• Interoperability
• Reliability
• Citizen-centricity
• Grievance redressal
• ICT Governance vs E-Governance

• Malware

Malicious software designed to damage, disrupt or gain unauthorised access.

• Social Engineering Attacks

• Protective Measures
• Strong unique passwords
• Multi-factor authentication
• Updated software
• Antivirus and firewall
• Encryption
• Regular backups
• Secure Wi-Fi
• Suspicious links से बचना
• Role-based access control
• Authentication Factors

• Exam Trap

Password + PIN necessarily two-factor authentication नहीं है, क्योंकि दोनों “something you know” category में हैं।

Cloud computing provides computing resources through the Internet.

• Service Models

• Examples

• Deployment Models
• Public cloud
• Private cloud
• Hybrid cloud
• Community cloud
• Advantages
• Scalability
• Remote access
• Reduced infrastructure burden
• Collaboration
• Backup and recovery
• Risks
• Privacy
• Vendor dependence
• Internet dependence
• Data breach
• Service availability

• Applications
• Adaptive learning
• Automated assessment
• Intelligent tutoring
• Chatbots
• Learning analytics
• Content recommendation
• Translation and accessibility
• Concerns
• Algorithmic bias
• Privacy
• Hallucinated or inaccurate information
• Academic integrity
• Lack of transparency
• Overdependence
• Digital inequality

AI teacher को automatically replace नहीं करता; it can support teaching, assessment and administration.

Internet and WWW are not synonymous.

Internet is public; intranet is privately controlled.

Extranet allows selected external users.

SMTP sends e-mail; POP3/IMAP retrieve or access it.

BCC recipients are hidden from other recipients.

HTTPS adds encryption; it does not guarantee that every website is trustworthy.

RAM is volatile; ROM is non-volatile.

Google is a search engine; Chrome is a browser.

SWAYAM is an online course platform; SWAYAM PRABHA is DTH-based.

NDLI is a digital library; it is not the thesis-only repository.

Shodhganga contains theses; Shodhgangotri contains research synopses.

MOOCs may be credit or non-credit.

Blended learning is not merely using PowerPoint in a classroom.

Video conferencing is synchronous; recorded lecture is asynchronous.

Digital availability does not automatically ensure digital inclusion.

ICT governance includes alignment, security, accountability and resource use—not only hardware purchase.

Virus usually requires a host; worm can self-replicate over networks.

Phishing, smishing and vishing differ by communication medium.

Which statements are correct?

A. Internet is larger than the intranet. B. Intranet is larger than Internet. C. Internet and intranet are the same. D. Internet is a network of networks. E. World Wide Web is an example of intranet.

• Options
• B and E only
• A and D only
• C and E only
• B and C only

Explanation

Internet has global coverage and is a network of interconnected networks. Intranet is a restricted private network. WWW is an Internet-based service, not an intranet.

• Verified PYQ

Which statements regarding intranets are correct?

A. The intranet can be accessed from anywhere by anyone. B. The intranet has public access. C. Intranets are more secure than the Internet. D. In an intranet, it is possible to control external links.

• Options
• A, B and C only
• C and D only
• A, C and D only
• B and C only

Explanation

Intranet authorised members के लिए restricted network है। Organisation authentication, access rights और external links को control कर सकती है।

• Verified PYQ

Match the digital initiatives with their purposes:

• Options
• A–III, B–IV, C–II, D–I
• A–IV, B–III, C–I, D–II
• A–IV, B–III, C–II, D–I
• A–II, B–I, C–III, D–IV

Explanation

• Verified PYQ

In the context of MOOCs in higher education, which statements are correct?

A. They are learner-centric. B. They can be delivered only through SWAYAM. C. They can benefit a large number of learners. D. They can be accessed anytime, anywhere and repeatedly. E. All MOOCs are for earning credit.

• Options
• A and D only
• C and D only
• A, B and E only
• A, C and D only

Explanation

MOOCs learner-centric, scalable and flexible होते हैं। वे केवल SWAYAM तक सीमित नहीं और सभी MOOCs credit-based नहीं होते।

• Verified PYQ

Statement I: DIKSHA, SWAYAM and SWAYAM PRABHA are existing e-learning platforms. Statement II: NEP 2020 identified the National Educational Technology Forum to conduct pilot studies for online education.

• Options

Both Statement I and Statement II are true.

Both Statement I and Statement II are false.

Statement I is true but Statement II is false.

Statement I is false but Statement II is true.

Explanation

DIKSHA, SWAYAM and SWAYAM PRABHA support technology-enabled education. NEP 2020 envisages NETF as a platform related to technology use in education, including experimentation and knowledge exchange.

• Verified PYQ

In MOOCs under the NME-ICT programme, the fourth quadrant is related to:

• E-content
• Self-assessment
• E-tutorial
• Web resources

Explanation

Fourth quadrant में quizzes, assignments और self-assessment activities आती हैं।

• Verified PYQ

• December 2026 Focus

विशेष रूप से तैयार करें:

• Protocol–function matching
• SWAYAM four quadrants
• Digital initiative–purpose mapping
• Intranet and extranet distinction
• Cyber-fraud scenarios
• Cloud service models
• AI ethics and academic integrity
• Accessibility and digital divide
• ICT governance and privacy
• Blended/flipped learning scenarios

A university portal is accessible only to employees and registered faculty members. It is:

• A. Internet B. Intranet C. Extranet D. World Wide Web

Explanation: Restricted organisational network is an intranet.

कौन-सा protocol primarily e-mail भेजने के लिए उपयोग होता है?

• A. POP3 B. IMAP C. SMTP D. FTP

Match the following:

• Options
• A–III, B–I, C–II, D–IV
• A–I, B–III, C–IV, D–II
• A–II, B–IV, C–I, D–III
• A–IV, B–II, C–III, D–I

Which initiative is primarily associated with Indian theses and dissertations?

• A. VIDWAN B. Shodhganga C. SWAYAM PRABHA D. DigiLocker

A learner watches recorded lectures before class and solves complex problems during classroom time. This is:

A. Programmed instruction B. Flipped classroom C. Audio conferencing D. Purely traditional teaching

Statement I: Video conferencing is synchronous communication. Statement II: E-mail generally represents asynchronous communication.

A. Both statements are correct B. Both statements are incorrect C. Statement I correct, Statement II incorrect D. Statement I incorrect, Statement II correct

Which is an example of G2C interaction?

A. Two ministries exchanging records B. Government purchasing goods from a company C. Citizen applying online for a certificate D. Employee accessing an internal payroll portal

कौन-सा cyberattack voice calls के माध्यम से confidential information प्राप्त करने का प्रयास करता है?

• A. Smishing B. Vishing C. Pharming D. Ransomware

Which combination correctly represents two-factor authentication?

A. Password + PIN B. Password + security question C. Password + fingerprint D. PIN + another PIN

Explanation: Password is “something you know”; fingerprint is “something you are.”

In SWAYAM MOOCs, quizzes and assignments primarily belong to:

• A. Quadrant I B. Quadrant II C. Quadrant III D. Quadrant IV

A student possesses a smartphone but cannot meaningfully access classes due to poor connectivity and lack of digital skills. This reflects:

A. Only hardware failure B. Digital divide C. Data compression D. Network topology

Assertion: Availability of ICT infrastructure does not automatically guarantee effective learning. Reason: Technology must be integrated with pedagogy, learner needs and appropriate content.

A. Both are true and Reason correctly explains Assertion B. Both are true but Reason does not explain Assertion C. Assertion true, Reason false D. Assertion false, Reason true

Which cloud-computing model provides ready-to-use software through the Internet?

• A. IaaS B. PaaS C. SaaS D. LAN

Statement I: A worm necessarily requires a host file to spread. Statement II: A Trojan may appear to be legitimate software.

A. Both statements are true B. Both statements are false C. Statement I true, Statement II false D. Statement I false, Statement II true

Explanation: Worm self-replicate कर सकता है; host file की requirement virus से अधिक associated है।

Which is the most appropriate example of inclusive ICT?

A. केवल high-resolution video देना B. सभी students के लिए एक ही complex interface C. Captions, transcripts and screen-reader-compatible content D. केवल English-language content

• Core Internet Formula

Internet = Public network of networks Intranet = Private organisational network Extranet = Private network + authorised outsiders

• Protocol Formula

• Educational Initiatives

• MOOC Quadrants

• Communication

Live Meet = Synchronous Recorded lecture/e-mail = Asynchronous Online + face-to-face = Blended Content before class + application in class = Flipped

• Governance

• Final Exam Strategy