UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Bandwidth represents the data-carrying capacity of a link, typically measured in bits per second or its multiples. Higher bandwidth allows more data to be sent in a given time.

Option A:
Cable width is a physical dimension; while it can influence possible bandwidth, it is not what the term “bandwidth” itself means in ICT.

Option B:
This option correctly defines bandwidth as the upper limit on data transfer rate through a channel.

Option C:
Number of users may affect congestion but is not itself bandwidth.

Option D:
Uptime or on-time is unrelated to the technical concept of channel capacity.

Bandwidth or data transfer rate on digital networks is usually measured as the number of bits transmitted per second. For broadband connections, speeds are often advertised in megabits per second, indicating millions of bits sent each second. Hence, Mbps is the most appropriate unit here.

Option A:
Kilogram is a unit of mass used for measuring physical weight, not digital data flow, so it is irrelevant to Internet speed.

Option B:
This option correctly identifies Mbps as the common unit for specifying Internet speeds in ICT contexts, reflecting that data is transmitted as bits and large volumes are expressed in kilobits and megabits per second.

Option C:
Hertz is a unit of frequency indicating cycles per second, used for CPU clock speeds or signal frequency, not for user-level data transfer rates.

Option D:
Litre per minute measures liquid flow such as water and has nothing to do with the rate of electronic data transmission.