Assertion (A): Digital India programme has a strong potential of increasing the number of Internet users in Reason (R): Initiatives like broadband connectivity, mobile coverage and Internet access will provide a fillip to the usage of Internet in (A) Both (A) and (R) are true (B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A). (C) (A) is true, but (R) is false (D) (A) is false, but (R) is true Correct Ans: (A) Explanation: The correct answer is (A) Both (A) and (R) are true. The Digital India programme truly holds strong potential to increase the number of Internet users in India. This government initiative focuses on transforming the country into a digitally empowered society. As more services move online, more people feel the need to get connected. This leads to rising internet penetration, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Now, let’s break down the reason. The programme includes efforts like broadband expansion, mobile network coverage, and affordable Internet access. These directly help in boosting internet usage across the country. When people gain better connectivity, they naturally start using more digital services. So, initiatives under Digital India directly impact the number of active internet users. Additionally, mobile internet plays a vital role in India’s digital journey. Since smartphones are more affordable than ever, people across all income groups can now get online. Telecom reforms and data price drops also make internet usage easier for millions. These facts clearly show that both the assertion and the reason hold true. The assertion rightly identifies the potential for internet growth. Simultaneously, the reason accurately highlights how this growth will happen—through specific initiatives under the programme. In conclusion, the Digital India programme, backed by real policy actions and infrastructure improvements, increases internet accessibility. As these initiatives expand, they unlock opportunities for education, jobs, governance, and digital literacy. Therefore, both the assertion and the reason align perfectly, making option (A) the correct choice.