UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 6

This question tests public key infrastructure. The key concept is: Public Key Infrastructure is a digital-security framework using asymmetric cryptography, digital certificates, certificate authorities and related mechanisms to establish identity and secure electronic communication. In India it supports applications such as digital signatures and authenticated online transactions. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option A. Option A — Digital security infrastructure: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Public Key Infrastructure is a digital-security framework using asymmetric cryptography, digital certificates, certificate authorities and related mechanisms to establish identity and secure electronic communication. In India it supports applications such as digital signatures and authenticated online transactions. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option B — Food security infrastructure: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Public Key Infrastructure is a digital-security framework using asymmetric cryptography, digital certificates, certificate authorities and related mechanisms to establish identity and secure electronic communication. In India it supports applications such as digital signatures and authenticated online transactions. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option C — Health care and education infrastructure: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Public Key Infrastructure is a digital-security framework using asymmetric cryptography, digital certificates, certificate authorities and related mechanisms to establish identity and secure electronic communication. In India it supports applications such as digital signatures and authenticated online transactions. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Public Key Infrastructure is a digital-security framework using asymmetric cryptography, digital certificates, certificate authorities and related mechanisms to establish identity and secure electronic communication. In India it supports applications such as digital signatures and authenticated online transactions. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option A is the verified answer.