Information & Communication Technology

Government Tightens Online Content Blocking Rules, Adds Senior-Level Oversight

Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has amended the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 to introduce new safeguards and senior-level oversight in online content blocking under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000.

Key Highlights of the Amendment

Who Can Now Issue Blocking Notices

Only senior officials are now authorised to issue content removal or flagging notices to platforms such as YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram.
Authorised officers include:

  • Joint Secretary (JS) or equivalent officer at the Centre/State.
  • Director-level officers, where no JS exists.
  • DIG or above, in police departments, specifically authorised.

Each order must clearly specify:

  • Legal basis and statutory provision
  • Nature of the unlawful act
  • Exact URL/digital location of content

A monthly review of all such orders will be conducted by an officer not below the rank of Secretary (e.g., IT Secretary or State Home Secretary).

Rule 3(1)(d): The Legal Basis

Under Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021, the government can flag content that violates Indian law.

If platforms fail to act, they may lose “safe harbour” protection—their legal immunity from user-generated content liability.
Such notices act as warnings, not direct takedown orders.

Why the Change Was Needed

In some states, junior police officers (like Sub-Inspectors or ASIs) had been issuing blocking notices, raising concerns of misuse and lack of accountability.
The amendment ensures that only senior officers can exercise this power, promoting transparency, due process, and uniformity across states.

Background: X vs. Government Case

Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) had legally challenged the government’s use of Rule 3(1)(d), calling it arbitrary and unconstitutional.
The Karnataka High Court, however, upheld the government’s authority.
Officials clarified that the new amendment is not a reaction to X’s case but does address its core concern by defining clear authority and procedure.

Section 79(3)(b) vs Section 69A

ProvisionPurposeKey Feature
Section 79(3)(b)Removal of unlawful contentPlatforms lose “safe harbour” if they fail to act
Section 69ABlocking content on grounds of national security, integrity, or defenceDirect blocking by government agencies

Significance

The amendments mark a shift toward responsible digital governance, ensuring that content blocking powers are exercised with legal clarity, senior oversight, and procedural accountability.

They balance freedom of expression with the need to curb misuse and maintain lawful online spaces.

HAM Radio

Context: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla interacted with the country’s students using a HAM radio from the International Space Station (ISS).

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: About HAM Radio and its working; Uses of HAM Radio. 

image 11

What is a HAM Radio?

  • Amateur radio, popularly known as ham radio, is a licensed radio service that relies on radio waves for establishing communication.
  • Ham radio service is largely deployed for educational and knowledge purposes, for emergency or SOS communication. 
  • Using a dedicated frequency, a transceiver and an antenna, communication can be set up between two licensed hams by trained ham operators. The communication can be hyper-local, global, and in space. 
  • In India, any individual above the age of 12 is permitted to operate a ham radio. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issues these licences.

How has HAM Radio been used in space?

  • Amateur radio was first used on a space shuttle to establish communication between space and Earth in 1983.
  • The ISS also has a ham radio, known as the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), which is often used to organise astronaut-student interactions.
  • The objective of such interactions is to inspire the young generation.
  • Typically, there is a nine minute window to make contact with the ISS while it revolves around the planet. 
  • Note that for safety purposes, the ARISS schedules radio outages at the ISS at the time of docking or such important activities. This is done to ensure that the radio does not interfere with any signals.
  • The Axiom-4 mission’s astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary will contact their respective countries using the ham radio twice during their 14-day stay at the ISS.
  • Whenever the ISS is cruising past the horizon for a short period, an attempt to establish ham communication will be performed. 

Why is HAM Radio an alternate mode of communication?

  • Ham radio is a reliable alternative communication mode, especially during emergencies.
  • Despite advances in technology, it remains effective when traditional networks fail, such as during wars or natural disasters.
  • In India, it proved vital during the Bhuj earthquake (2001), Indian Ocean tsunami (2004), and Uttarakhand floods (2013), among others.

FASTag Annual Pass Scheme

Context: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced a FASTag-based annual pass for hassle-free-highway travel for a given duration. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about FASTag; How does the FASTag system work?

FASTag Annual Pass Scheme: 

  • The annual pass would cost Rs 3000 and will allow free passage of non-commercial private vehicles- car, jeep or van at National Highway (NH) and National Expressway (NE) fee plazas for the given duration, without per-trip user fee charges.
  • FASTag-based passes will be effective from August 15, 2025 and valid for one year or 200 trips or crossings, whichever comes earlier. 
  • The user may re-purchase the Annual Pass once the 200-trip limit is exhausted, even if the one-year validity period has not yet ended.
  • The pass is non-transferable and is valid only for the vehicle on which the FASTag is affixed and registered.
  • Valid only at National Highway and National Expressway fee plazas. At plazas on Expressways, State Highways managed by state governments or local bodies, the FASTag will operate as a regular FASTag.
  • Key Benefits: Address the long-standing concerns regarding toll plazas; Economical as the average cost of crossing one toll plaza will be only Rs 15.

What is FASTag? 

  • FASTag is an electronic toll collection system.
  • Launched in 2014 as a pilot project and made mandatory at every toll plaza in the country in 2021. 
  • Managed by: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). 

How does the FASTag system work?

  • The FASTag uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to collect toll tax payments on the road. 
  • A FASTag sticker is usually pasted on the windscreen of a car.  When a FASTag-attached vehicle approaches a toll plaza, a scanner at the plaza identifies the tag via RFID, and deducts tax from the linked bank account or the prepaid card. 

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology

  • RFID technology refers to a wireless system comprising two components: tags and readers.
  • Reader is a device that has one or more antennas that emit radio waves and receive signals back from the RFID tag. Readers can be mobile so that they can be carried by hand, or they can be mounted on a post or overhead.
  • RFID Tag is embedded on the windscreens of the vehicles for transporters. It can store a range of information from one serial number to several pages of data. The tags use radio waves to communicate their identity and other information to nearby readers.
image 36

The new FASTag annual pass is a strategic step toward modernising India’s highway toll system with smarter mobility and efficient toll management. It enhances user experience, promotes digital infrastructure, reduces environmental impact, and provides a cost-effective solution for frequent travelers.  

Also Read: Satellite-based toll collection 

Growth in India’s Telecom and Internet Sector 

Context: In the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, the Minister of Communications announced that India is the second largest telecom market in the world and will have 1 billion internet users by the end of FY26.

Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: India’s Telecom & Internet sector- Key Trends and Govt. Initiatives. 

Growth in India’s Telecom and Internet Sector: 

In the last decade-

  • India became the second largest telecom market in the world. India’s mobile market witnessed a growth from roughly 1 billion to 1.2 billion customers. 
  • The Internet market has grown from around 250 million to 974 million subscribers. 
  • The broadband market, with speeds greater than 2 Megabits per second (Mbps), has grown from 66 million (2014) to 940 million in 2025. India is expected to hit one billion Internet users in 2026.
  • Rise in Affordability: Call prices are down from 50 paise per minute to 0.003 paise per minute; data from 1 GB at ₹287 to ₹9 per GB. India is the cheapest data market in the world; the global average is $2.49 per GB.
  • Growth in manufacturing: From importing 80% of mobile phone requirements to exporting ₹1.75 lakh crore worth of mobile phones.
  • Patents of 6G: India ranks among the top six countries globally in terms of 6G patent filings. Bharat 6G Alliance is working to contribute a minimum 10% of 6G patents to the world. 
image 4

Government Policies that contributed to the growth: 

  • Universal Service Obligation Fund (Digital Bharat Nidhi): USOF is funded by a 5% Universal Service Levy on telecom operators' Adjusted Gross Revenue to finance telecom expansion in rural areas. Digital Bharat Nidhi aims to ensure transparent management and targeted deployment of the funds.
  • BharatNet: Ambitious project aimed at providing affordable high-speed broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in India. It is the largest public sector investment in connectivity to the grassroots level costing over $16.9 billion.
    • In the first phase, almost 7 lakh kilometres of fibre optic cables were laid and 2.14 lakh gram panchayats were connected. 
    • The ongoing BharatNet II project aims to connect the remaining gram panchayats.
  • Advanced technology inBharatNet II:
    • Use of Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) routers instead of Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) routers for higher redundancy levels. 
    • Ring topography instead of linear topography to prevent incidents of single breakage disrupting all the downstream gram panchayats.
    • Central network operating centre to monitor and maintain the network throughout the country. 
    • Provide an Internet leased line with a minimum speed of 25 Mbps to every subscriber.
  • PM-WANI (WiFi Access Network Interface): To proliferate broadband access through public Wi-Fi networks and create a robust digital communications infrastructure in India, especially in rural areas.
  • Bharat 6G Alliance: Launched in 2023 by DoT, it is a collaborative platform that brings together the government, industry, and academia to develop 6G technology in India. It is working to contribute a minimum 10% of 6G patents to the world, development of at least one new radio technology originating from India, and creation of at least 10 standard essential patents (SEPs).
  • PLI Scheme for Smartphones: India has become a key player in global smartphone exports. Handsets are now the second highest exported products from India. As a result, India has come a long way from importing 80% of mobile phones to exporting ₹1.75 lakh crore worth of mobile phones (~$20 billion).

Also Read: India ranks among top six nations globally in 6G patent filings 

India needs to increase investment in research and development (R&D) to become the creators and innovators of global products in the telecom space.

Bharat Forecast System 

Context: The Ministry of Earth Sciences launched 'Bharat Forecast System'- the world's highest-resolution numerical weather model with a 6-kilometre grid. It will significantly enhance Indian Meteorological Department’s weather forecasting capabilities, especially with respect to extreme rainfall and cyclones.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts related to Bharat Forecast System.

Bharat Forecast System

  • Bharat Forecast System (BFS) is India’s first indigenously built weather model.
  • Developed by: Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). 
  • Spatial resolution: It offers a spatial resolution of 6km x 6 km, making it the world’s first weather model with such high resolution. Weather modellers have been working to fine-tune this resolution to 3km and 1km.
    • Current models like- Coupled Forecasting System (CFS) and Global Forecasting System (GFS) operate at lower resolution of 12 km x 12 km, missing out smaller, localised variations in weather patterns. They are unable to pick weather events occurring over smaller areas within this 144 sq km area unit. 
    • BFS reduces this area to 36 sq km, allowing more granular and precise forecasts.
  • BFS uses supercomputer Arka (with a capacity of 11.77 petaflops and storage capacity of 33 petabytes). 
  • Data from a network of 40 Doppler Weather Radars from across the country will be used to run the BFS model. Gradually, the number of Doppler radars will increase to 100 which would allow the weather office to issue nowcasts- weather forecasts for the next two hours across the country.

Significance

  • Improved spatial resolution will enable accurate forecasts for small-scale weather patterns, extreme rainfall, cyclones and disaster management. 
  • It will also help agriculture and water resource management. 
  • BFS is a deterministic model, i.e., it gives one clear and specific weather forecast based on the current data, rather than multiple possible forecasts.

BFS had been under experimental testing since 2022, and the data generated from it helped improve the accuracy of weather forecasts by 30-64%, depending on the event. 

This development represents a leap in India’s weather forecasting technology with potential impact on disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

How is Cyberbullying tackled under the Law in India?

Context: India does not have a dedicated law to tackle cyber crimes at present. Instead, the provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, and the Information Technology Act 2000 are used to deal with such cases. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: Definitions of different types of cybercrimes.

Mains: Cybersecurity landscape in India.

What are Cybercrimes?

  • Cybercrimes referto a range of criminal activities carried out using computers and the internet. Common cybercrimes include-
    • Hacking
    • data theft and financial fraud
    • phishing and impersonation
    • malware attacks and ransomware
    • cyberbullying and digital arrest 
    • stalking and doxxing (unauthorised release of private information). 
  • Cybercrimes in India have increased 60.9% from 2022 to 2023, resulting in the loss of over Rs. 10,000 crores over the past three years. Cybercrimes disproportionately affect women and minorities. 

What is Cyberbullying?

  • Cyberbullying is the use of technology to intentionally and repeatedly harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person viz. offensive messages, hate speech, derogatory content, doctored images, doxxing and threats of physical or sexual violence. 

Existing laws to tackle Cyberbullying in India:

India lacks a dedicated law to address online hate speech and trolling. 

  • Provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, and the Information Technology (IT) Act 2000 cover certain aspects of cyberbullying. 
  • BNS includes provisions such as Section 74 (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), Section 75 (sexual harassment), Section 351 (criminal intimidation), Section 356 (defamation), and Section 196 (promoting enmity between groups). 
  • The IT Act includes provisions like Section 66C (identity theft), Section 66D (impersonation fraud), and Section 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material electronically).

Limitations of Existing Frameworks

1. Absence of dedicated law on Cyberbullying: 

  • The existing regulatory framework is functional but incomplete. Sustained online abuse that does not qualify as obscene, threatening, or fraudulent often falls outside the purview of criminal law. 
  • Offences like criminal intimidation or defamation often require proof of threat or reputational harm, and are not-suited to counter the rapid, anonymous abuse unleashed by online mobs.

2. Legal ambiguity around Doxxing and Public data: 

  • The Delhi High Court in a case involving doxxing (2024) ruled that while doxxing raised privacy concerns, the concerned incident did not constitute doxxing as the information was already publicly available. 
  • The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, exempts from regulation personal data that is made publicly available, either by the individual concerned or by an entity under a legal obligation. However, it does not define what qualifies as publicly available data. 
  • This lack of clarity on what qualifies as public information may inadvertently enable cybercrimes such as doxxing, given the ease with which fragmented data from multiple platforms can be easily aggregated and used for harassment or intimidation.

3. Concerns over Censorship: 

  • Section 69A of the IT Act empowers the government to issue blocking orders on grounds aligned with constitutionally permissible speech restrictions, such as sovereignty, friendly relations with foreign States, and public order. 
  • Platforms failing to comply risk losing safe harbour protection under Section 79, which shields intermediaries from liability for user-generated content. 
  • However, these provisions are increasingly being used for censorship with content taken down without r notification, thus, violating the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in Shreya Singhal versus Union of India. E.g., After the Pahalgam attack, X disclosed that it had been directed to block 8,000 accounts in India.  

Government Initiatives to enhance Cybersecurity in India: 

  • IT Act 2000: Provides a legal framework for dealing with cyber crimes.  
  • CERT-In: Nodal agency to deal with cyber-security threats like hacking or phishing.
  • National Cyber-Security Policy 2013 to provide an overarching framework to deal with cybersecurity.
  • Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): enhances the coordinated response of law enforcement agencies to cybercrimes.  
  • National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre - nodal agency to protect India’s Critical Information Infrastructure.
  • National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to report cyber crimes. 
  • Defence Cyber Agency  to protect military systems and conduct offensive cyber-operations.
  • Enactment of Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 for regulation and protection of personal data.

Also Read: National Cyber Security Strategy 

India ranks among top six nations globally in 6G patent filings

Context: India ranks among the top six countries globally in terms of 6G patent filings. Indigenous 6G development will ensure secure communications, developed and managed within India, and further strengthen the nation's position in the global technology landscape. 

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims & Mains: 5G Technology vs 6G Technology. 

India’s Rising Role in 6G Technology: 

  • At the recent Bharat 6G 2025 Conference, the government revealed India’s growing achievements in the 6G space.
    • India now ranks among the top six countries globally in terms of 6G patent filings.
    • Over 111 research projects have been funded with a sanctioned amount of ₹300 crore.
  • Bharat 6G Vision Document was released in 2023 by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It is a roadmap for India to become a global leader in 6G through indigenous research, international collaboration, and ecosystem development.

Evolution of Mobile Networks

image 7

What is 6G? 

  • 6G stands for the sixth generation of wireless mobile communication technology, expected to be rolled out around 2030.
  • It will be far more advanced than 5G in terms of speed, latency, intelligence, and applications.

How is 6G different from 5G ?

Parameter5G6G 
Deployment Commercial rollout started globally around 2020Expected rollout around 2030 (currently in R&D phase)
Speed & Latency Peak data speeds up to 10 Gbps.Latency as low as 1 millisecond.Enabling real-time applications- autonomous vehicles and remote surgeries.Expected to be 100 times faster, with speeds up to 1 terabit per second (Tbps).Latency below 0.1 milliseconds, enabling near-instantaneous communication.
Frequency & Spectrum 5G operates on sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) bands up to 100 GHz. 6G will operate in the Terahertz (THz) frequency band (100 GHz to 10 THz), allowing it to carry exponentially more data.But it also demands advanced infrastructure due to short-range and high signal loss.
Connectivity density Supports up to 1 million connected devices per square kilometer.Aims to connect over 10 million devices per square kilometer, enabling an Internet of Everything- where humans, machines, sensors, and the environment are interconnected in real time.
Security and Privacy
Improved cybersecurity through advanced encryption and network segmentation.Address emerging threats through quantum-resistant cryptography, zero-trust architecture, and enhanced privacy protections, crucial for applications like e-governance and digital identity.
Applications and Use Cases
Enables smart cities, high-speed broadband, autonomous vehicles, remote healthcare, and industrial automation.Support immersive applications like holographic communication, digital twins, tactile internet, precision agriculture, and even space-terrestrial communication.
AI / ML Integration Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are used externally to assist in managing traffic, optimising performance, and detecting faults.However, the network itself is not AI-native.

E.g., AI might help predict network congestion or suggest optimal routes for data, but human operators still make many decisions.		AI and ML will be deeply embedded into the network architecture from the beginning.AI will make real-time decisions about routing, security, load balancing, and fault repair without human intervention.

E.g., 6G network can detect a cyberattack, isolate it, and reroute traffic instantly, all through AI-driven responses.

Adoption of 6G Technology is expected to create entirely new industries and revolutionise existing ones, and is expected to contribute Rs 85,37,000 crore (USD 1 trillion) to India's economy by 2035. 

Indigenous Defence Innovation: Key Technologies used in Operation Sindoor

Context: Operation Sindoor has highlighted India's military might and indigenous weapons. Indigenous development of the defence ecosystem has been made possible by contributions of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and lately by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX).  

Relevance of the Topic : Prelims: Key facts about iDEX, Indigenous Defence Technologies (SkyStriker; D-4 Anti-Drone System)

Key Indigenous Technologies used in Operation Sindoor: 

SkyStriker Loitering Munitions: 

  • Suicide drones developed by Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies in collaboration with Elbit Systems (Israel).
  • The precision-striking drone can carry a 5-10 kg warhead and has a range of 100 km. 
  • Its electric propulsion system helps reduce noise, making it suitable for covert missions at low altitudes.
  • Cost-effective solution for long-range precision strikes. The drone supports direct aerial fire missions and enhances operational awareness and survivability for ground forces.
image 30

D-4 Anti-Drone System:

  • Anti-drone system developed by DRDO. 
  • Capability to neutralise hostile drones by disrupting GPS signals.
  • Equipped with advanced radar, RF jammers, and laser-based kill mechanisms, the D4 system can disrupt and disable enemy UAVs mid-flight.
  • Can be utilised for other purposes like- real-time battlefield monitoring and surveillance.
image 31

Akashteer

  • Akashteer is an indigenous AI-powered Air Defence System (India’s own Iron Dome). 
  • Designed and manufactured jointly by: DRDO, ISRO and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
  • Part of India's overall C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) system.
  • Akashteer works in coordination with ISRO satellites and Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NAVIC) GPS. 
  • Integrates data from radars and sensors, and provides real-time situational awareness and enables swift responses to aerial threats (drones, missiles, UAVs and other loitering munitions).
  • Through automated detection-and-response mechanisms, Akashteer can neutralise hundreds of incoming threats with unmatched precision. 
  • Its vehicle-based, mobile configuration guarantees flexibility in high-risk areas. 
image 32

Akash Missile Defence System

  • Indigenously developed by DRDO. 
  • Medium-range, mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) designed to neutralise aerial threats such as fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, and air-to-surface missiles.
  • Operates on a command-guidance system with datalink for mid-course corrections and switches to active radar homing in the terminal phase.
  • Propulsion: The missile is propelled by an integrated ramjet-rocket engine, allowing it to maintain supersonic speeds (Mach 1.8 to 2.5) throughout its flight.
  • Range: Its range extends up to 25–45 km, with the ability to intercept targets at altitudes up to 20 km. The missile carries a 60 kg high-explosive, pre-fragmented warhead, detonated by a digital proximity fuse for maximum impact.
  • Supported by a sophisticated radar network. Real time multi-sensor data processing enables simultaneous engagement of multiple targets from any direction.
    • Rajendra phased array radar can track up to 64 targets and guide eight missiles simultaneously.
    • 3D Central Acquisition Radar (3D CAR) provides long-range surveillance and target acquisition.
  • Akash has evolved over the years, with variants like Akash-1 (25 km range), Akash-NG (up to 30 km with improved guidance), and Akash Prime (up to 35 km, optimised for low-altitude threats).

The Akash’s integration with advanced command-and-control systems like Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) enabled real-time threat neutralisation.

image 33

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX): 

  • Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) is a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Defence launched in 2018. 
  • It brings together all the key innovation ecosystem actors, including start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutions, and academia, to foster self-reliance in defence technologies.
  • Funding and Management: iDEX is funded and managed by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), a Section 8 company, whose founding members were Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). 
  • iDEX adopts an open innovation approach. E.g., Through Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC), iDEX launches challenges for start-ups to offer solutions to specific technological needs of the Indian Armed Forces. 
  • iDEX has facilitated domestic-global collaboration. E.g., iDEX partners with the US Department of Defense’s Innovation Unit to facilitate joint co-development of innovation between Indian and US start-ups.

Lately, iDEX has accelerated the defence innovation ecosystem in India. It has signed over 350 agreements with start-ups as of June 2024. This approach ensures an alignment between the operational needs of the defence sector and innovative solutions developed.  

What is GPS Spoofing? 

Context: Indian Air Force’s transport aircraft carrying relief materials to earthquake-hit Myanmar faced “GPS spoofing”. India sent relief materials to Myanmar in a C-130J aircraft and its pilots reported that the plane's GPS signal was tampered with, when it was in Myanmar’s airspace.

Relevance of the Topic:  Prelims: Key facts related to GPS Spoofing.

GPS Spoofing

  • GPS (global positioning system) spoofing is a form of cyberattack that includes generating false GPS signals to mislead an aircraft, ships and vehicles. The false signals result in misleading the navigation equipment, posing a significant risk to the aircraft, ships etc. 
image 15

How does GPS Spoofing work?

  • GPS spoofing exploits the inherent vulnerabilities in the GPS infrastructure – the weak signal strength of GPS satellites. GPS systems function by sending signals from satellites to GPS receivers on Earth. These receivers then calculate their position based on the time it takes for these signals to arrive.
  • However, due to the weak signal strength of the GPS satellites, these signals can be easily overwhelmed by fake signals, resulting in inaccurate location data on the receiving device.
  • The act of GPS spoofing typically involves using a signal generator or other sophisticated equipment to transmit counterfeit GPS signals that are stronger than the genuine satellite signals. These false signals, when picked up by a GPS receiver, can cause it to calculate an incorrect position or time.

Some entities that may carry out GPS spoofing : 

  • Governments/military: defence, sensitive facility protection, tactical warfare, espionage etc.
  • Criminals/hackers: illegal activities, transportation or communication systems disruption, cargo theft, victim tracking, stalking.
  • Private organisations: location manipulation, competitive advantage, fraud etc.  

Measures to prevent GPS Spoofing: 

  • As a response to the increasing prevalence of GPS spoofing, various countermeasures are being developed to secure GPS-based systems, including signal strength monitoring, time-of-arrival analysis, and cryptographic authentication.
  • Furthermore, experts suggest the use of multiple satellite navigation systems to cross-verify and validate positioning data, thus minimising the risk of spoofing attacks.

Also Read: How Global Positioning System (GPS) work?

How is TRAI combating spam?

Context: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will be using distributed ledger technology (DLT) to register spam preferences from customers, in order to reduce spam.

Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Spams, associated challenges and role of TRAI in controlling them.

What are Spams?

  • Spams or Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) refer to any unsolicited, usually irrelevant or inappropriate messages, sent over digital channels like email, SMS, or social media. 
  • Acts involved in spamming:
    • Bulk messaging
    • System generated phone calls
    • Identity theft 

Issues associated with spams in India

  • Privacy invasion: Spam calls often involve the collection of personal data. E.g., Fake lottery scams request sensitive information like bank details.
  • Harassment: Persistent unsolicited calls for marketing disturb consumers leading to frustration of customers. 
  • Financial fraud: Spammers use misleading offers such as fake loan schemes, to defraud individuals by convincing them to share financial or personal details.
  • Phishing: Using fraudulent messaging or calls to trick people with authentic looking phone numbers and system domains.
  • Evolving methodology: The spam operators continuously change the modus-operandi and content modulation to breach blocking.
spam Communications

Initiatives to Control Spam

  • Do not Disturb (DND): TRAI has initiated the “do not disturb” policy for consumers allowing them to block commercial communications.
  • AI-driven Anti-Spam mechanism: Telecom providers use AI to detect and block spam messages in real-time. E.g., Airtel initiative to declare suspicious calls using AI as “suspected spam”.
  • Blockchain usage: Using blockchain ledgers to  protect sensitive information. E.g., Changing variables to spaced or masking of variables like “Your OTP is 112132” will be changed to “Your OTP is *******” to protect sensitive information.
  • Complaint Portal: Department of Telecommunications has launched the Sanchar Sathi portal which has a reporting site called Chakshu for complaining of spam calls.
  • Migration for Telemarketing calls to Distributed Ledger Technology platform: With effect from October 2024, Telemarketing calls starting with the 140xx numbering series have been migrated to the DLT platform for strict monitoring and control.
    • DLT platform is a block-chain based registration system adopted to keep records of all transactions exchanged between network participants. 

Acts to Combat Spam in India

  • Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018: This sets guidelines for telemarketers, ensuring that only opted-in customers receive marketing calls or messages.
  • Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011: Regulates the collection, processing, and storage of personal data to prevent misuse for spamming.
  • Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997: Empowers TRAI to regulate telecommunication services, including measures against spam.
Acts to Combat Spam in India

What more can be done?

  • Stronger penalties: Enforcing higher penalties for spammers, such as the US introduced penalties like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
  • Special numbers: Introducing special and designated numbers or code for the financial intermediaries.
  • Consumer awareness: Spreading awareness among people about consumer rights and means to block spam numbers. E.g., European Union’s anti-spam measures to empower people. 
  • Strengthening VoI: The voice over internet monitoring to control spam needs to be strengthened by authenticating genuine numbers. 

About TRAI

  • Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is a statutory body established under the Telecom regulatory Authority of India Act. 1997.
  • Main functions of the body are as follows:
    • Regulating telecommunication services
    • Promote competition among firms
    • Protect consumer’s interests in India’s telecom sector.
  • TRAI regulates and seeks implementation of Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR) which are guidelines for telemarketers, ensuring consumers only receive opted-in communications.

Conclusion: India has taken significant steps to combat spam, including regulatory measures like the Do Not Disturb (DND) service and strict telemarketer guidelines. TRAI’s initiatives, alongside public awareness efforts, aim to reduce spam and protect consumers. Continued technological advancements and awareness campaigns are crucial for further success.

Microsoft to invest $3 billion on AI, cloud infrastructure in India

Context: Microsoft CEO has announced plans to invest $3 billion in India in AI and cloud infrastructure, including setting up new data centres over the next two years. The company is also aiming to train 10 million Indian people with AI skills by 2030.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Key facts about AI, Cloud infrastructure in India, Government Initiatives.  

Major Highlights:

  • Efficiency metrics for AI applications: The formula to measure the efficiency of AI applications is stipulated to be: Tokens per dollar per watt.
    • Tokens per dollar per watt signify how many tokens (units of information) can be generated per dollar spent on computing power, per unit (watt) consumption of energy, required to produce those tokens. 
image 69

Key Terms:

What is Artificial Intelligence?

  • Artificial intelligence (AI) is broadly defined as the capability of a machine (computer systems) to imitate intelligent human behaviour. E.g., Machines can perform cognitive tasks like thinking, perceiving, learning, problem-solving and decision-making. 

What is Cloud Computing?

  • Cloud computing involves the rental of computing resources—such as servers, storage, applications, and databases— over the internet, as opposed to owning physical infrastructure. At its core, cloud computing relies on the infrastructure provided by data centers. 
  • E.g., Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS grants users access to software applications hosted by the cloud service provider.

What are Data Centres?

  • Data centers are highly specialised facilities designed to house computing systems and their related components, such as, physical hardware, servers, networking equipment and storage systems. 
  • The primary purpose of data centers is to process, store, and distribute data for various applications and services, such as websites, cloud computing, and enterprise operations.
  • Data centers empower organisations to handle large volumes of data securely and efficiently and enable cloud computing to function seamlessly.
image 70

Potential of Data Centres in India

  • India aims to become a global hub for AI innovation and data centre development. 
  • Current capacity: 
    • As of 2024, India's data centre capacity is at approximately 1,255 MW, which is expected to surge to 17 GW by 2030. 
    • India holds 20% of global data but only 3% of data centre capacity.
  • Expansion potential of data centres in future, due to:
    • Increasing digitalisation & data consumption 
    • Rise in demand for AI and generative AI projects
    • Nationwide roll-out of 5G
    • Need for edge computing to allow data processing on devices
    • Need to store data locally (within National borders).  
  • Concentration of data centres in India: About 95% of the existing data centre capacity is in metros and big cities. Mumbai has >50% of current capacity due to its central location, reliable power and cable landing stations. 

Government Initiatives in this Regard

1. Data Localisation Rules: India’s laws mandate that certain data be stored locally, such as:

  • Reserve Bank of India's Directive (2018) mandates payment system providers to store entire payment data (transaction details, customer information and related data) within India. 
  • IRDAI (Maintenance of Insurance Records) Regulation, 2015 requires covered organisations to store insurance data within India.
  • The draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules focus on targeted data localisation, addressing children's online age verification challenges, and data protection.
    • Digital Personal Data Protection Act permits cross-border data transfers to all countries, unless restricted by the Central Government by notification.

2. Digital India Mission:

  • Digital India campaign launched in 2015, aims at the development of secure and stable digital infrastructure (including data centres), delivering government services digitally, and universal digital literacy.

3. IndiaAI Mission:

  • The Rs 10,370 croreIndiaAI Mission aims to:
    • establish a computing capacity of more than 10,000 GPUs.
    • help develop foundational models with a capacity of more than 100 billion parameters trained on datasets covering major Indian languages for priority sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and governance. 
  • The idea is that if such an infrastructure exists in the country, start-ups could plug into it for developing AI systems.
  • Of the total outlay, Rs 4,564 crore has been earmarked for building computing infrastructure. 

Read More: IndiaAI Mission 

How in-flight Internet works?

Context: Tata Group’s Air India has announced the rollout of free in-flight Internet service on board domestic and international flights, making the group the first in India to offer internet connectivity on domestic flights. 

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Detailed question on working on the internet on flight.

Working of in-flight Internet

  • In-flight internet has various components that facilitates the connectivity:
    • Aircraft antennas- There are two kinds of internet antennas in flight for different types of technologies.
      • ATG type antennas are underside the aircraft.
      • Satellite antennas are dome shaped mounted on the top of the aircraft. 
    • WiFi access point- Also known as cabin server that allows cabin to distribute the internet to passengers via Wi-Fi.
    • Service provider- Service providers provide infrastructure to facilitate internet connectivity examples; Gogo, Starling etc.

There are two modes of the Transmission

  • Air-to-Ground (ATG) Systems:
    • The aircraft connects to ground-based cellular towers designed to communicate with planes in flight.
    • The system includes an antenna mounted underneath the aircraft that maintains a connection with ground stations.
    • Data is transmitted back and forth between the airplane and the ground, similar to a mobile data network.
  • Satellite-Based Systems: The airplane connects to satellites orbiting the Earth to access the internet.
    • Geostationary satellites and Low-Earth orbit satellites are used to transmit internet on the flight using dome shaped antennas. 
    • Various service providers like Starlink provide such services to the flights.
image 1

Step-by-step working of in-flight Internet

  • Connection Establishment: As aircraft are airborne, the onboard system activates the internet connection.
  • Data Transmission: Passenger generates the data request and on-board antenna sends signal to the satellite or the ground based facility. 
  • Return Path: The response (E.g., the requested web page) follows the reverse path: from the internet backbone → ground station or satellite → aircraft antenna → onboard router → passenger’s device.
  • Seamless Handoffs: Both ATG and satellite based systems adjust connections during the flight’s movement.

Challenges to in-flight Internet

  • Limited bandwidth- The bandwidth shared with the passengers is limited and leads to slower speeds during peak usage.
  • Latency- Satellite systems have higher latency due to long distance of data travel.
  • Cost- The cost of in-flight internet is highly expensive in nature both during installation as well as in operations. E.g., Air India needs to spend $400 Million for retrofitting new aircraft.

New Emerging Technologies to enhance in-flight Internet Connectivity

  • LEO satellites: LEO systems like Starlink Aviation are revolutionizing the internet with faster speed and low latency.
  • Flat- Panel Antennas: These are smaller antennas for more efficient data sharing and reducing operational costs.
  • Integration with 5G: Emerging technologies aim to integrate in-flight internet with terrestrial 5G networks for better speed and reliability.

Conclusion: Air India’s step to provide internet on flight can be a game changer in the domestic airlines adding to quality of service and improving customer experience on flight.

Trending now

State of India’s Environment 2026: Rising Climate Risks and the Need for Resilience
Karnataka Announces Ban on Social Media for Children Under-16
India–France “Special Global Strategic Partnership”: A New Indo-Pacific Anchor
Front-of-Package Labelling: A Preventive Strategy to Address India’s Rising Lifestyle Diseases