The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) has launched its Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme.
About Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme
- It is a bi-annual internship which aims to build awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens.
- Program Objective:
- To train participants to engage with global internet governance processes.
- Collaborate with international organizations like
- Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN),
- Internet Society or Information Security Operations Center (ISOC),
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and
- Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
- Develop domestic talent to address emerging internet governance issues.
- Stipend: Rs. 20,000 per month
- Support provided for mandatory outreach programs
- Mentorship: Interns will be guided by:
- Subject matter experts from from International Organizations
- Special Interest Group members
- High ranking government officials
- Faculty advisors from recognized institutions
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National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)
- NIXI is a not-for-profit organization established in 2003.
- Its primary objective is to improve internet infrastructure and promote internet governance in the country.
- NIXI is an autonomous organization under India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- It is managed and operated on a neutral basis, in line with global best practices.
- The four services under NIX:
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- Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) for building Internet Exchange Points,
- IN Registry for building the .in domain digital identity,
- IRINN for IPv4 and IPv6 addresses adoption.
- Data Centre services under NIXI-CSC for data storage services.
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Status of Internet in India
- General public access to the internet in India began on 15 August 1995.
- Since then India has witnessed a remarkable surge in internet usage in recent years, reflecting the nation’s rapid digital transformation.
- The internet subscriber base now stands at 954.4 million, with 556.05 million in urban areas and 398.35 million in rural areas.
- 95.15% villages having access to internet with 3G/4G mobile connectivity
- As Per a recent TRAI report, the average monthly data consumption of a user reached 20GB as of March 2024, up from just 0.27GB in 2014-15.
- India’s meteoric rise as a digital powerhouse is a testament to the convergence of affordability, technology and aspiration.
About Internet Governance
- Internet Governance refers to the development and application of shared principles, norms, rules, and decision-making processes that shape the use and evolution of the internet.
- Conceptually Internet Governance involves Internet Protocol Addressing (IP Addressing), Domain Name System (DNS), Routing, Technical Innovations, Standardization, Security, Public Policy, Privacy, Legal Issues, Cyber Norms, Intellectual Property and taxation.
- Internet Governance includes following layers:
- Physical Infrastructure layer
- Code or Logical layer
- Content layer
- Security
- In India, internet governance focuses on ensuring equitable access, promoting digital inclusivity, safeguarding data privacy, and enhancing cybersecurity.
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Internet Governance in India
- India supports a multi-stakeholder approach in matters on Internet Governance.
- On matters relating to national security, the Government will continue to have supreme right and control.
- India’s strength in the sector is its industry and human resource which can be leveraged in a multi-stakeholder approach.
- The multi-stakeholder approach also aligns with the government’s investment strategy for Digital India.
Key Stakeholders in India’s Internet Governance
- Government Bodies:
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): Oversees policies related to digital infrastructure, internet regulation, and cybersecurity.
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): Regulates internet service providers and ensures fair practices.
- National Organizations:
- National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI): Manages the .IN domain, promotes IPv6 adoption, and facilitates efficient internet traffic exchange.
- Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): Focuses on cybersecurity and responds to threats.
- Private Sector:
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and tech companies contribute to infrastructure and innovation.
Need for Internet Governance
- Cybersecurity: Safeguard against cyberattacks, data breaches, and identity theft.
- Content Regulation: Address issues like misinformation, hate speech, and harmful online content.
- Intellectual Property Protection: Combat piracy and enforce digital IP laws.
- Economic Growth: Foster innovation, fair competition, and a thriving digital economy.
- Digital Inclusion: Ensure equitable access to the Internet for marginalized and rural populations.
- Net Neutrality: Guarantee equal access to information without discrimination by ISPs.
Challenges in Internet Governance in India
- Digital Divide: Significant gaps in internet access exist between urban and rural areas.
- Low levels of digital literacy, especially in rural areas, hinder the adoption of online services.
- Data Privacy and Protection: Rampant data collection by private entities and inadequate regulatory frameworks compromise user privacy.
- Cybersecurity Threats: Growing incidents of phishing, ransomware, and other cybercrimes strain the existing infrastructure.
- India ranked 5th in the list of most breached countries with 5.3 million leaked accounts in 2023.
- Critical Infrastructure Vulnerability: Sectors like banking, healthcare, and power grids are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals.
- AIIMS Delhi ransomware attack disrupted services for two weeks.
- Misinformation and Fake News: The spread of misinformation on social media and messaging platforms challenges societal harmony.
- Hate Speech and Harmful Content: Addressing issues of online abuse, hate speech, and extremist content requires nuanced approaches.
- Fragmented Legal and Policy Framework: The Information Technology Act (2000) is inadequate for addressing emerging technologies like AI and blockchain.
- Multiple regulatory bodies often work in silos, leading to inefficiencies in governance.
- CERT-In for cybersecurity
- TRAI for telecom
- RBI for digital payments
- MEITY for electronic governance
- Dependence on Foreign Technologies: Heavy reliance on global tech giants for infrastructure and services compromises sovereignty.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Uneven distribution of internet exchange points (IXPs) affects the efficiency of data routing.
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Way Forward
- Expand Internet Access: Increase the rollout of broadband infrastructure in rural and remote areas through initiatives like BharatNet.
- Enhance Digital Literacy: Launch targeted awareness and training programs for marginalized and rural communities.
- Strengthening Data Privacy and Protection: Expedite the enactment of a comprehensive Data Protection Rules that ensures privacy and accountability.
- Promote Data Sovereignty: Mandate the localization of critical data under the Rules and ensure compliance with international standards.
- Build Cyber Resilience: Regularly update the National Cybersecurity Policy to address emerging threats.
- Strengthen CERT-In capabilities for rapid response to cyberattacks.
- Securing Critical Infrastructure: Conduct regular audits and implement advanced security measures for critical sectors like healthcare, finance, and power.
- Combating Misinformation and Harmful Content: Collaborate with social media platforms to create clear guidelines for misinformation and harmful content.
- Enforce penalties for those spreading hate speech and fake news while ensuring freedom of expression.
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)
- CERT-IN is the national nodal agency responsible for responding to cybersecurity incidents in India.
- It was established in 2004 to address the growing need for secure digital infrastructure in the country.
- It operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
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The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI):
- TRAI is a statutory body established under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
- It was established on 20th February, 1997 to create and nurture conditions for growth of telecommunications in the country.
- It is responsible for framing regulations, guidelines, and policies for the telecommunications sector in India.
- This includes setting rules related to tariffs, quality of service, and the allocation of spectrum.
- Headquarters: The headquarters of the TRAI is situated in New Delhi.
- Members: TRAI consists of a chairperson and not more than two full-time members and not more than two part-time members.
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