UGC NET Paper 1 Unit 8 Topic 1: ICT: General abbreviations and terminology.

💻 ICT: General Abbreviations & Terminology

💡 Core Concept: ICT (Information and Communication Technology) terminology forms the foundation for Paper 1 (General Paper) and Paper 2 (Computer Science/Education technology). 5-7 marks guaranteed in every UGC NET exam.

1. Networking & Internet Terms

🔴 Essential Networking Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Full Form	Significance
TCP/IP	Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol	Internet communication standard
HTTP	HyperText Transfer Protocol	Web page transfer protocol
FTP	File Transfer Protocol	File sharing between computers
DNS	Domain Name System	Converts domain names to IP addresses
VPN	Virtual Private Network	Secure remote network access

Key Terminology:

• Bandwidth: Data transfer capacity (measured in bps)
• Latency: Time delay in data transmission
• Cloud Computing: On-demand IT resources over internet
• IoT: Internet of Things (network of physical devices)

2. Web & Digital Technologies

🟣 Web Technology Terms

Term	Meaning	UGC NET Relevance
HTML	HyperText Markup Language	Web page structure
CSS	Cascading Style Sheets	Web page presentation
AJAX	Asynchronous JavaScript and XML	Dynamic web content
API	Application Programming Interface	Software communication
SEO	Search Engine Optimization	Digital content visibility

Emerging Terms:

• Web 3.0: Decentralized web with blockchain
• Responsive Design: Websites adapting to devices
• Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): App-like web experiences

3. Hardware & Storage Terms

🟢 Hardware Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Full Form	Description
CPU	Central Processing Unit	Computer's brain
RAM	Random Access Memory	Temporary data storage
ROM	Read Only Memory	Permanent storage
SSD	Solid State Drive	Flash-based storage
GPU	Graphics Processing Unit	Handles visual processing

Storage Terminology:

• Big Data: Extremely large datasets
• Data Mining: Extracting patterns from data
• RAID: Redundant Array of Independent Disks
• NAS: Network Attached Storage

4. Security & Cyber Terms

🟠 Security Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Full Form	Purpose
SSL	Secure Sockets Layer	Encrypts internet connections
AES	Advanced Encryption Standard	Symmetric encryption algorithm
DDoS	Distributed Denial of Service	Cyber attack method
VPN	Virtual Private Network	Secure remote access
2FA	Two-Factor Authentication	Enhanced security login

Cyber Security Terms:

• Phishing: Fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive data
• Malware: Malicious software (viruses, worms, etc.)
• Firewall: Network security system
• Zero-Day Exploit: Attack on undiscovered vulnerability

5. Educational Technology Terms

🔷 EdTech Abbreviations

Abbreviation	Full Form	Application
LMS	Learning Management System	Moodle, Blackboard
MOOC	Massive Open Online Course	Coursera, SWAYAM
OER	Open Educational Resources	Free learning materials
ICT	Information Communication Technology	Digital education tools
CALL	Computer Assisted Language Learning	Language teaching tech

6. Case Study: UGC NET 2023 Question

Question: What does the abbreviation 'URL' stand for in web technology?

Options:
A) Uniform Resource Locator
B) Universal Reference Link
C) Unified Resource Library
D) Uniform Retrieval Location

Answer: A) Uniform Resource Locator

Exam Pattern: 3-5 direct abbreviation questions appear in every UGC NET exam, mostly from networking and web technologies.

7. Emerging ICT Terms (2024-25)

🔮 New Age Technologies

Term	Meaning	Application
AI	Artificial Intelligence	ChatGPT, machine learning
ML	Machine Learning	Pattern recognition
DL	Deep Learning	Neural networks
AR/VR	Augmented/Virtual Reality	Immersive learning
NFT	Non-Fungible Token	Digital ownership

🎯 Preparation Strategy

For UGC NET Aspirants:

• Create flashcards of abbreviations
• Focus on acronyms appearing in past papers (last 5 years)
• Understand contextual usage of terms
• Memorize full forms of common terms (HTTP, TCP/IP, HTML)

Memory Technique: Use mnemonics for similar abbreviations:
• FTP (File Transfer) vs SFTP (Secure File Transfer)
• HTTP (HyperText) vs HTTPS (HyperText Secure)