Proposed Sovereign Cloud Mandate for Critical Sectors

1. Question 1Answer D

   What did The Indian Express report on 28 April 2026 the Centre may require critical-sector firms to use?

   • AOnly foreign hyperscale clouds
   • BIndigenous encryption standards
   • CGovernment-owned operating systems
   • DCorrect answer: Made-in-India sovereign cloud

   Core Trigger: On 28 April 2026 The Indian Express reported the Centre may require critical-sector firms to use Made-in-India sovereign cloud.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 256, point 1

2. Question 2Answer B

   The proposed sovereign cloud mandate aims to reduce reliance on foreign providers and strengthen what?

   • ASpectrum auctions
   • BCorrect answer: Data security
   • CBank credit growth
   • DStartup funding

   Theme: Aim: reduce dependence on foreign cloud providers and strengthen data security; no domestic rival yet matches US providers.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 256, point 2

3. Question 3Answer C

   Which ministry issued the 20 March 2026 guidelines for a cloud selection framework?

   • ADepartment of Telecommunications
   • BMinistry of Home Affairs
   • CCorrect answer: Ministry of Electronics and IT
   • DMinistry of Finance

   Nodal Ministry: MeitY issued the 20 March 2026 'Guidelines for cloud selection framework' for Central ministries and is drafting the framework.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 256, point 3

4. Question 4Answer D

   Microsoft halted Azure services of which Indian firm on 22 July 2025?

   • AReliance Industries
   • BIndian Oil Corporation
   • CBharat Petroleum
   • DCorrect answer: Nayara Energy

   Trigger Case: Microsoft halted Nayara Energy's Azure services on 22 July 2025; an official called it a wake-up call.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 256, point 4

5. Question 5Answer B

   Which Russian company holds 49.13% of Nayara Energy?

   • AGazprom
   • BCorrect answer: Rosneft
   • CLukoil
   • DNovatek

   Data: Russia's Rosneft holds 49.13% of Nayara Energy, which the European Union sanctioned in July 2025.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 256, point 5

6. Question 6Answer C

   Which is/are correct? (1) Nayara's Azure services returned by 30 July 2025. (2) Microsoft blamed an automated legacy sanctions system.

   • AOnly 1
   • BOnly 2
   • CCorrect answer: Both 1 and 2
   • DNeither 1 nor 2

   Stakeholders: Services returned by 30 July 2025, closing the Delhi High Court plea; Microsoft blamed an automated legacy sanctions system.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 256, point 6

7. Question 7Answer C

   Which court did Nayara Energy approach over the Azure suspension?

   • ASupreme Court of India
   • BGujarat High Court
   • CCorrect answer: Delhi High Court
   • DBombay High Court

   Venue: Nayara approached the Delhi High Court; MeitY sits in New Delhi.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 256, point 8

8. Question 8Answer D

   The Information Technology Act, 2000 is which numbered Act of 2000?

   • AAct 14
   • BAct 9
   • CAct 30
   • DCorrect answer: Act 21

   Founded: The Information Technology Act, 2000 is Act 21 of 2000.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 256, point 9

9. Question 9Answer B

   Section 16 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 lets the Centre restrict what?

   • ASale of personal data
   • BCorrect answer: Data transfers to notified countries
   • CConsent by minors
   • DStorage on local servers

   Landmark: Section 16 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 lets the Centre restrict transfers to notified countries.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 256, point 10

10. Question 10Answer A

    Which is/are correct? (1) IT Act section 70 allows up to ten years' jail for unauthorised access to protected systems. (2) Section 70A names CERT-In for critical infrastructure.

    • ACorrect answer: Only 1
    • BOnly 2
    • CBoth 1 and 2
    • DNeither 1 nor 2

    Statute: IT Act section 70 allows protected systems, with up to ten years' imprisonment for unauthorised access; section 70A names NCIIPC.From Book 1 RATNA, topic 256, point 11

Open these answers in the app (sign-in needed)