SSC
Prasar Bharati, India's public service broadcaster, was established in:
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Answer: Option B — 1997
Detailed Solution
Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) was established on 23 November 1997.
About Prasar Bharati:
It was set up under the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990, passed by Parliament. The Act came into force only in 1997.
It is a statutory autonomous body.
It is India's largest public service broadcaster.
It includes two broadcasting services: Doordarshan (television) and All India Radio (Akashvani).
Before 1997, both Doordarshan and AIR were run directly by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Its aim was to give the public broadcaster autonomy from direct government control, so that it could provide independent, balanced and impartial information, education and entertainment.
It is governed by the Prasar Bharati Board, headed by a Chairman, with an Executive Member who acts as its Chief Executive Officer.
It is funded mainly by the government, with additional income from advertising.
Background:
- The idea of an autonomous broadcaster was recommended by the Chanda Committee (1966) and the Verghese Committee (1978), which recommended an autonomous corporation called "Akash Bharati".
- The Prasar Bharati Bill was introduced in 1979 but lapsed; the Act was passed in 1990.
Services of Prasar Bharati:
- Doordarshan: channels such as DD National, DD News, DD India, DD Kisan, DD Sports and regional channels.
- All India Radio: national, regional and local radio stations; "Mann Ki Baat", the Prime Minister's monthly radio programme, is broadcast on AIR (since 3 October 2014).
- DD Free Dish: free satellite television.
- "WAVES": Prasar Bharati's OTT (streaming) platform, launched in 2024.
- News Services Division and the "NewsOnAir" app.
Other broadcasting regulators and bodies:
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): set up in 1997; it also regulates broadcasting tariffs.
- Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) and the News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA): self-regulatory bodies.
- The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 regulates cable TV.
Why not the other options?
- ✗1976 is when Doordarshan was separated from AIR.
- ✗1990 is when the Prasar Bharati Act was passed.
- ✗2005 is not related.
Quick tip
Remember: Prasar Bharati = 23 November 1997 (under the Prasar Bharati Act 1990; includes Doordarshan and All India Radio; Verghese Committee 1978 had suggested "Akash Bharati"); Mann Ki Baat since 2014; TRAI = 1997.
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This question tests your understanding of Miscellaneous GK, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic collects general knowledge questions that do not fit neatly into a single category, such as national symbols, famous nicknames of places, important events, entertainment, and facts that cut across history, geography and culture. Because these questions come from many areas, the best preparation is broad revision and regular practice. Read each explanation carefully, since it often includes a related fact that is tested in a different form. Keep a notebook of facts you get wrong and revise it before the exam. Practise the miscellaneous GK questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.