UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B and C accurately summarise core ideas of cryptography, encryption and decryption. They show how information is transformed and restored using algorithms and keys. Statement D is dangerously false because private keys must be kept secret; sharing them openly destroys security. Thus, the correct answer is the combination A, B and C only.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it lists only A and B as correct, leaving out C. Statement C is also correct, since decryption reverses encryption to recover plaintext. Excluding C gives an incomplete picture of the cryptographic process.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it groups A, C and D as correct, thereby accepting D. Statement D contradicts the requirement to keep private keys secret and would compromise secure communication.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it recognises that protecting, encrypting and decrypting data are the three linked components specified in A, B and C. It excludes the unsafe recommendation in D.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it includes B, C and D only, omitting A and accepting D. This both weakens the conceptual definition and endorses insecure behaviour.

A URL begins with a protocol specification that tells the browser how to communicate with the server (e.g., http, https, ftp). In the given example, “https” indicates Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure.

Option A:
This part is the domain name, which identifies the server/website, not the communication protocol.

Option B:
This option correctly points to “https” as the protocol component at the start of the URL.

Option C:
“/result” is the path to a specific resource on the server, not the protocol.

Option D:
“.ac.in” is part of the domain structure indicating an academic institution in India, but it does not specify the protocol.

Encryption algorithms transform readable plaintext into ciphertext using a secret key. Intercepted ciphertext appears as random symbols to attackers, protecting confidentiality during transmission. The intended recipient uses the appropriate key to decrypt the data back into readable form. Thus, the core purpose of encryption is to ensure that only authorised parties can interpret the transmitted information.

Option A:
Compression aims to reduce file size but does not inherently prevent others from reading the content. Compressed data can often be decompressed without needing a secret key.

Option B:
This option correctly captures the idea of confidentiality and controlled readability, which underpins secure communication protocols like HTTPS and VPNs. It reflects standard practice in protecting sensitive data on public networks.

Option C:
Deleting data from the sender’s system is a separate action and is not achieved merely by encrypting it in transit. Encryption does not erase original copies.

Option D:
Making data freely readable to everyone contradicts the aim of encryption. Security mechanisms are designed to limit, not broaden, unauthorised access.

The first part of a URL before the colon indicates the protocol or scheme used for communication. HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure and adds encryption to the basic HTTP protocol. It helps protect data from eavesdropping and tampering during transmission. Therefore, “https” identifies a secure protocol in use between browser and server.

Option A:
The top-level domain, such as “.in” or “.uk”, can hint at country, not the protocol. “https” itself tells us nothing about geographical location.

Option B:
The name of the specific page is usually in the path portion of the URL, such as “/results” here, not in the protocol field. The “https” part does not identify which page on the server is being accessed.

Option C:
The file format is typically indicated by an extension such as “.html” or “.pdf”; the presence of “https” does not specify the document type.

Option D:
This option correctly links HTTPS with secure communication and protocol choice. It reflects basic web literacy, including recognition that HTTPS encrypts hypertext transfer between browser and server.

Encryption is a cryptographic process that transforms plaintext into ciphertext using an algorithm and key. The goal is to protect the confidentiality of information during storage or transmission. Only entities possessing the correct decryption key can restore the original content. Thus, the central purpose of encryption is controlled access, not visual enhancement or deletion.

Option A:
This option incorrectly associates encryption with improving colour resolution, which relates to multimedia quality rather than security. Encryption does not change the visual properties of images in a meaningful, viewable way. Hence, the statement misunderstands the concept.

Option B:
This option correctly notes that encryption makes data unintelligible to unauthorised observers. It ensures that intercepted messages cannot be easily understood, thereby safeguarding sensitive information. Decryption reverses the process for authorised users, fulfilling the core security objective.

Option C:
Deleting files removes them from storage, which is a data sanitisation activity. Encryption, however, preserves data while restricting its readability. Therefore, equating encryption with deletion is inaccurate.

Option D:
Aesthetic design of interfaces is a usability and design concern, not a security function. While encrypted systems may have modern interfaces, the encryption process itself does not improve visual design.