UGC NET Paper 1 – Information and Communication Technology 

20 PYQs/PYQ-Based MCQs with Explanations

Q1. A small text file stored on a user's computer by some websites to recognize and keep track of the user's preferences is called:

A. Log

B. Report

C. Cookie

D. History

✅ Answer: C. Cookie

Explanation: A cookie is a small piece of data stored by a website in a user's browser. It can remember preferences, login sessions, shopping-cart information, and browsing-related information. Cookies are not computer viruses.

Q2. In a computer, if 8 bits are used to specify an address in memory, the total number of addresses will be:

A. 256

B. 8

C. 216

D. 512

✅ Answer: A. 256

Explanation: If n bits are available for addressing, the number of possible addresses is:

2ⁿ

For 8 bits:

2⁸ = 256

Therefore, 256 unique memory addresses can be represented.

Q3. A new laptop is produced that weighs less, is smaller and uses less power than previous laptop models. Which technology can accomplish this?

A. Universal Serial Bus Mouse

B. Faster Random Access Memory

C. Blu-ray Drive

D. Solid State Hard Drive

✅ Answer: D. Solid State Hard Drive

Explanation: A Solid-State Drive (SSD) uses flash memory and has no moving mechanical parts. Compared with traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs are generally lighter, faster, quieter and more energy-efficient, making them suitable for thinner and lighter laptops.

Q4. Which of the following are audio file formats?

1. .wav

2. .aac

3. .wmv

4. .flv

A. 1 and 2

B. 1 and 3

C. 3 and 4

D. 4 and 2

✅ Answer: A. 1 and 2

Explanation:

1. WAV – Audio file format.
2. AAC – Audio compression/file format.
3. WMV – Primarily a video format.
4. FLV – Flash video format.

Therefore, 1 and 2 are audio formats.

Q5. Which of the following is the first fully open-source mobile operating system developed by Google?

A. Symbian

B. iOS

C. Android

D. Windows

✅ Answer: C. Android

Explanation: Android is a Linux-kernel-based mobile operating system developed under the leadership of Google and the Open Handset Alliance. Android is based on open-source software, although many Google components are proprietary.

Q6. Which of the following pairs of acronym and expansion is incorrectly matched?

A. FTP – File Transfer Protocol

B. SMTP – Simple Mail Technology Protocol

C. UDP – User Datagram Protocol

D. USB – Universal Serial Bus

✅ Answer: B. SMTP – Simple Mail Technology Protocol

Explanation: SMTP actually stands for:

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol.

It is used primarily for sending and relaying email.

The other expansions are correct:

• FTP = File Transfer Protocol
• UDP = User Datagram Protocol
• USB = Universal Serial Bus

Q7. Which of the following is the smallest unit of information that a computer can understand and process?

A. Byte

B. Bit

C. Word

D. Nibble

✅ Answer: B. Bit

Explanation: A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit of digital information. It can have one of two values: 0 or 1

A group of 8 bits = 1 byte, while a nibble consists of 4 bits.

Q8. Which of the following pairs is incorrectly matched?

A. CPU – Central Processing Unit

B. UPS – Uninterruptible Power Supply

C. DVD – Digital Versatile Disc

D. RAM – Read Access Memory

✅ Answer: D. RAM – Read Access Memory

Explanation: RAM stands for:

Random Access Memory

It is a type of volatile primary memory used to temporarily store data and instructions currently being used by the computer.

Therefore, "Read Access Memory" is incorrect.

Q9. Which of the following is NOT a search engine?

A. Google

B. Bing

C. Yahoo

D. Windows

✅ Answer: D. Windows

Explanation: Google, Bing and Yahoo are associated with web search services/search engines. Windows, however, is an operating system developed by Microsoft. It is not a search engine.

Q10. Which of the following statements about computer memory is correct?

A. 25 KB is larger than 100 MB

B. 999 MB is larger than 50 GB

C. 3500 KB is smaller than 2 GB

D. 23 GB is smaller than 20 MB

✅ Answer: C. 3500 KB is smaller than 2 GB

Explanation: Memory units increase approximately as:

KB < MB < GB < TB

2 GB is approximately 2,097,152 KB using binary conversion.

Therefore:

3500 KB << 2 GB

Hence, option C is correct.

Q11. A device used to convert a computer's digital signal into an analogue signal for communication is called:

A. Router

B. Modem

C. Switch

D. Repeater

✅ Answer: B. Modem

Explanation: Modem stands for Modulator-Demodulator.

Modulation: Converts digital data into a form suitable for transmission over an analogue communication medium.

Demodulation: Converts the received signal back into digital information.

Hence, the term modem comes from MOdulator + DEModulator.

Q12. Which ICT tool is correctly matched with its example?

A. LMS – Zoom

B. Virtual Reality – Canvas

C. Video Conferencing – Zoom

D. Podcast – Canvas

✅ Answer: C. Video Conferencing – Zoom

Explanation: Zoom is primarily a video-conferencing and online communication platform.

An LMS (Learning Management System) is designed to manage learning activities, courses, assessments and educational content.

Canvas is an example of an LMS, not virtual reality.

Q13. Which of the following provides a database of profiles of scientists, researchers and faculty members working at academic and research institutions?

A. VIDWAN

B. SWAYAM

C. e-PG Pathshala

D. DIKSHA

✅ Answer: A. VIDWAN

Explanation: VIDWAN is an expert database/profile information system developed under India's academic and research ecosystem. It provides information about experts, researchers, scientists and faculty members.

Remember:

• VIDWAN → Experts/Researchers
• SWAYAM → Online courses
• e-PG Pathshala → Postgraduate e-content
• DIKSHA → School education/digital learning resources.

Q14. Which of the following is primarily used for sending e-mail?

A. FTP

B. SMTP

C. HTTP

D. POP3

✅ Answer: B. SMTP

Explanation: SMTP = Simple Mail Transfer Protocol.

It is primarily responsible for sending and relaying email messages.

In contrast:

• POP3 → commonly used for retrieving/downloading email.
• IMAP → commonly used for accessing and synchronizing email on a server.
• FTP → File Transfer Protocol.
• HTTP → HyperText Transfer Protocol.

Q15. Which of the following is a digital initiative for online learning under the Government of India?

A. SWAYAM

B. CPU

C. BIOS

D. URL

✅ Answer: A. SWAYAM

Explanation: SWAYAM stands for Study Webs of Active–Learning for Young Aspiring Minds. It is India's major online learning platform offering courses from school level through higher education.

It supports access to structured online educational content.

Q16. Which of these is primarily associated with identifying a device connected to a network?

A. Authentication

B. Biometrics

C. IP Address

D. MAC Address

✅ Answer: D. MAC Address

Explanation: A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a hardware/network-interface identifier associated with a network interface.

An IP address is a logical network address used for identifying/addressing devices or interfaces for communication and routing.

Important distinction for NET:

• MAC → hardware/network-interface identifier
• IP → logical network address
• Biometrics → identifies/authenticates a person
• Authentication → verifies identity

Q17. Which precautions are necessary while obtaining information online?

A. Check the authenticity of the source

B. Verify information from reliable sources

C. Be cautious about misleading information

D. All of the above

✅ Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: Information available online is not necessarily accurate or reliable. Users should:

• Check the source and author.
• Cross-check important information.
• Prefer credible and authoritative sources.
• Check publication/update dates.
• Be alert to misinformation and manipulated content.

Therefore, all three precautions are appropriate.

Q18. Application of ICT in research can be relevant to:

A. Data collection

B. Data analysis

C. Communication and dissemination of research

D. All of the above

✅ Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: ICT has applications throughout the research process.

• Data collection: Online questionnaires, digital databases and electronic surveys.
• Data analysis: Statistical software and computational tools.
• Communication: Email, online conferences, digital publications and research repositories.

Therefore, ICT supports almost every stage of the research process.

Q19. Which of the following is an example of cloud-based storage?

A. Google Drive

B. Keyboard

C. CPU

D. Printer

✅ Answer: A. Google Drive

Explanation: Google Drive provides cloud-based storage, allowing users to store and access files through the Internet.

Cloud storage generally allows files to be accessed from multiple devices, subject to account access and connectivity.

The other options are hardware components:

• Keyboard → input device
• CPU → processing unit
• Printer → output device

Q20. Which of the following represents the correct order of increasing network geographical coverage?

A. WAN → MAN → LAN

B. LAN → MAN → WAN

C. MAN → LAN → WAN

D. LAN → WAN → MAN

✅ Answer: B. LAN → MAN → WAN

Explanation:

• LAN – Local Area Network
• Covers a relatively small area such as a laboratory, office, school or building.
• MAN – Metropolitan Area Network
• Covers a larger area, typically a city or metropolitan region.
• WAN – Wide Area Network

Covers very large geographical areas, potentially across countries or continents.

Therefore, the increasing order is:

LAN → MAN → WAN

Practice questions for Number System Conversions

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