The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is a governmental body in India responsible for formulating and implementing policies concerning electronics, IT, and the Internet. Established to propel India towards becoming a global leader in the digital realm, MeitY plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation, ensuring cybersecurity, and promoting digital inclusion across the nation.
E-Sports
- This is an important development for the eSports community in India. By including eSports in the “multisports event” category, it signifies an official recognition of eSports as a legitimate form of sport and competition. This move will likely lead to increased support, funding, and opportunities for eSports athletes and enthusiasts in India.
- As eSports continues to gain popularity globally, this recognition from the President of India is a significant step towards legitimizing it as a mainstream sporting activity in the country. It also opens up the possibility for Indian eSports athletes to represent their nation in international competitions.
- This acknowledgement from the highest office in the country is likely to boost the growth and development of eSports in India and may pave the way for more formalized structures, competitions, and support systems for eSports athletes.
- E-sports is a form of competitive video gaming that has gained immense popularity globally. Here are some key points about E-Sports:
- Definition:
- E-Sports, short for electronic sports, refers to organized, competitive video gaming events or tournaments where professional players and teams compete against each other for prizes and recognition.
- Spectator Sport:
- E-Sports transforms online gaming into a spectator sport, similar to traditional sports events. Instead of watching physical athletes, spectators observe video gamers engage in competitive play.
- Professional Gaming:
- Like traditional sports, E-Sports has professional players, teams, and leagues. These players often undergo rigorous training, participate in tournaments, and are supported by sponsors.
- Competitions and Tournaments:
- E-Sports competitions can range from small local events to large-scale international tournaments. Some of the most popular games for E-Sports include titles like League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Fortnite, among others.
- Online Streaming and Broadcasting:
- E-sports events are often streamed online on platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and others. They also have dedicated channels on some television networks. These broadcasts include commentary, analysis, and live coverage of matches.
- Global Audience:
- E-Sports has a massive global following, with millions of fans tuning in to watch tournaments. The audience includes both avid gamers and those who enjoy watching the competitive nature of the sport.
- Prize Pools and Sponsorships:
- Major E-Sports tournaments offer substantial prize pools, sometimes reaching millions of dollars. Additionally, players and teams are sponsored by organizations, brands, and companies.
- Game Diversity:
- E-sports encompasses a wide variety of games across different genres, including real-time strategy (RTS), first-person shooters (FPS), multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA), sports simulations, and fighting games, among others.
- Recognition and Legitimacy:
- Over the years, E-Sports has gained recognition as a legitimate sport and professional gamers are considered athletes. Many countries and organizations now issue visas and provide support for E-Sports professionals.
- Education and Curriculum:
- The President of India has recommended the inclusion of E-Sports as part of multi-sports events and in educational curricula. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will oversee online gaming-related matters, while the Sports Ministry will be responsible for its integration into education.
Recognition of E-Sport as a Sport:
- By now, countries such as the US, Finland, and even the somewhat reticent Germany have acknowledged esports as a sport.
- The very first few nations (along with South Korea) to recognise esports as a sport were China and South Africa. Russia, Italy, Denmark, and Nepal have also joined.
- Ukraine officially recognized esports as a sport in September 2020.
E-sports has evolved into a significant cultural and entertainment phenomenon, bridging the gap between gaming and traditional sports. It has created new opportunities for professional gamers and enthusiasts alike.
Aadhaar
Aadhaar is a significant government initiative in India aimed at providing a unique identity number to residents. Here are the key points about Aadhaar:
- Purpose: The Aadhaar Act of 2016 enables the use of the Aadhaar Number for establishing an individual’s identity. It is particularly important for accessing various government subsidies, benefits, and services.
- Unique Identification Number: Aadhaar provides a 12-digit unique identification number. It is currently the largest biometric database in the world.
- Eligibility: Any citizen of India and resident foreign nationals who have stayed in India for over 182 days in the twelve months prior to the application can obtain an Aadhaar number.
- Data Collection: The Aadhaar enrollment process involves collecting an individual’s biometric and demographic data. This includes fingerprints, iris scans, photographs, and other relevant information.
- Administration: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is the statutory authority responsible for issuing Aadhaar. It operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- Grievance Resolution: UIDAI has been recognized as the top performer among all Ministries/Departments for resolving public grievances. It uses the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) for this purpose.
- Locking Biometrics: To prevent misuse of biometric data, individuals can choose to lock their biometrics through the UIDAI website. This ensures that the biometrics cannot be used for authentication.
- Virtual Identity (VID): VID is a 16-digit number that provides limited KYC. It conceals the Aadhaar number from the authenticating agency while still confirming the user’s identity. It is temporary and valid only for a specific period.
- Bal Aadhaar: This is issued in blue colour to children up to the age of five. It serves as a precursor to the standard Aadhaar and helps in availing welfare benefits and serves as a digital photo identity for children.
- Masked Aadhaar: This facility allows individuals to download a version of their Aadhaar where only the last four digits of the Aadhaar number are displayed, providing an added layer of security.
The Aadhaar system is a significant step towards establishing a robust digital identity infrastructure in India. It plays a crucial role in streamlining government services and ensuring targeted delivery of benefits and subsidies to the intended beneficiaries.
UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India):
- Establishment: UIDAI is a statutory authority that was established on 12 July 2016.
- Parent Body: It operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- Mandate: UIDAI’s primary mandate is to assign a 12-digit unique identification number, known as Aadhaar, to all residents of India. This unique identification number is crucial for various government schemes and services.
UIDAI plays a pivotal role in the implementation and management of the Aadhaar program, ensuring that every resident in India has a unique and verifiable identity. This initiative has had a significant impact on streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of various government services and programs.
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)
It is an initiative aimed at providing digital literacy in rural India. Here are the key aspects of the scheme:
- Objective: The main goal of the PMGDISHA Scheme is to offer digital literacy training to approximately 6 crore rural households, ensuring that at least one individual in each household is capable of using digital devices and accessing digital services.
- Curriculum: The training focuses on enabling individuals to operate computers, and digital devices (like tablets and smartphones), send and receive emails, browse the internet, access government services, search for information, and conduct cashless transactions.
- Target Group: The PMGDISHA Scheme is designed for candidates in the age group of 14-60 years.
- Awareness and Promotion: The government has launched extensive awareness and promotional campaigns to disseminate information about digital literacy. This includes workshops, seminars, digital vans, and other outreach activities.
- Wifi-Choupals: To address internet connectivity challenges in remote areas, Wifi-Choupals have been set up. These serve as WiFi access points to provide internet connectivity.
- Engagement with Rural Schools: Rural schools play a crucial role in training and examining candidates under the PMGDISHA Scheme. This helps in reaching the rural population in identified states.
- Distribution of Certificates: MPs, MLAs, and District Collectors have been involved in distributing PMGDISHA certificates at various local events organized by the PMGDISHA teams.
- Dissemination of Information: Various methods have been employed to spread information about the scheme, including word of mouth, online platforms, print and electronic media, posters, banners, radio, newspapers, television, and social media.
The PMGDISHA scheme represents a significant effort by the government to bridge the digital divide and ensure that rural populations have the necessary skills to participate in the digital economy and access essential services.
FutureSkills PRIME (Programme for Re-skilling/Up-skilling of IT Manpower for Employability)
FutureSkills PRIME (Programme for Re-skilling/Up-skilling of IT Manpower for Employability) is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM). Here are the key details of this program:
- Objective: The primary goal of FutureSkills PRIME is to provide re-skilling and up-skilling opportunities to beneficiaries in the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) segment.
- Focus Areas: The program focuses on 10 emerging technologies that are shaping the future of the IT industry. These technologies include:
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Big Data Analytics
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
- Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing
- Cloud Computing
- Social & Mobile Technologies
- Cyber Security
- Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR)
- Blockchain
- Purpose: The program aims to enhance the employability of IT professionals by providing them with the skills and knowledge required to work effectively in these emerging technology domains.
- Re-skilling and Up-skilling: FutureSkills PRIME offers both re-skilling and up-skilling opportunities, allowing individuals to acquire new skills or upgrade their existing ones, depending on their needs and career goals.
- Industry Partnership: NASSCOM, as the industry body representing the IT and IT-enabled services sector, plays a crucial role in shaping the program’s curriculum and ensuring its alignment with industry requirements.
- Beneficiaries: The program is designed to benefit individuals in the B2C segment, which typically includes consumers and end-users of IT services and products.
FutureSkills PRIME is a proactive response to the dynamic nature of the IT industry, where continuous learning and adaptation to emerging technologies are essential for career growth and competitiveness. It equips IT professionals with the skills necessary to thrive in the evolving digital landscape.
E-Government Development Index (EGDI)
- The E-Government Development Index (EGDI) is a composite measure used to assess the development and progress of e-government initiatives within a country. It takes into account three key dimensions:
- Online Service Index: This dimension evaluates the availability of online services provided by the government to its citizens. It looks at factors such as the range and diversity of services available online, as well as the ease of access and user-friendliness of these services.
- Telecommunication Infrastructure Index: This dimension assesses the level of technological infrastructure and connectivity within a country. It considers factors like internet penetration, broadband availability, and the accessibility of digital communication tools.
- Human Capital Index: This dimension focuses on the level of digital skills and capabilities of a country’s population. It takes into account factors such as education levels, digital literacy, and the proficiency of citizens in using digital technologies.
- These three dimensions are combined to calculate the overall EGDI score, which provides a comprehensive overview of a country’s e-government capabilities and the extent to which it leverages digital technologies for public service delivery.
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is the nodal ministry responsible for overseeing the E-Government Development Index in India. Additionally, the Department of Higher Education and the Department of School Education and Literacy also play roles in this assessment process.
Critical information infrastructure
- Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) refers to computer resources or digital assets that are considered vital to a country’s national security, economy, public health, or safety. The designation of certain information technology resources as CII is a strategic step taken by governments to ensure the protection and security of these assets. Here are key points about critical information infrastructure:
- Definition: In India, the term “Critical Information Infrastructure” is defined in the Information Technology Act of 2000. It refers to a computer resource, the incapacitation, or destruction of which could have a debilitating impact on national security, the economy, public health, or safety.
- Government Authority: Under the Information Technology Act, the government has the authority to declare specific data, databases, IT networks, or communication infrastructure as CII to safeguard these digital assets.
- Protection: Once designated as CII, these resources receive heightened protection and security measures. Unauthorized access, modification, use, disclosure, disruption, incapacitation, or distraction of CII can lead to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment.
- National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC): To manage and safeguard critical information infrastructure, India established the NCIIPC in January 2014. NCIIPC serves as the nodal agency responsible for implementing measures to protect the nation’s CII.
- Mandate: NCIIPC’s primary mandate is to protect CIIs from unauthorized access, modification, use, disclosure, disruption, incapacitation, or distraction. It actively monitors and forecasts national-level threats to CIIs, provides policy guidance, shares expertise, and offers situational awareness to enable early warning and alerts.
- In the context mentioned, the Union Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) declared the IT resources of ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and the entity managing the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which is the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), as critical information infrastructure. This designation signifies the government’s recognition of the importance of these entities in the digital ecosystem and its commitment to ensuring their security and resilience against potential threats.
FAQs
Q1. What is the role of MeitY in India’s digital transformation?
MeitY spearheads India’s digital transformation by formulating policies, initiatives, and regulations to foster innovation, promote digital literacy, and facilitate the growth of the electronics and IT sectors.
Q2. How does MeitY ensure cybersecurity in India?
MeitY collaborates with various stakeholders to establish robust cybersecurity frameworks, conduct cybersecurity awareness programs, and implement measures to safeguard critical infrastructure and digital assets from cyber threats.
Q3. What initiatives has MeitY undertaken to promote digital inclusion?
MeitY has launched numerous initiatives like Digital India, BharatNet, and Common Services Centers (CSCs) to bridge the digital divide, provide affordable internet access, and deliver e-governance services to citizens across rural and urban India.
Q4. How does MeitY support innovation and entrepreneurship in the electronics and IT sectors?
MeitY supports innovation and entrepreneurship through schemes like the Electronics Development Fund (EDF), Start-up India, and incentives for research and development (R&D) in emerging technologies, fostering a conducive ecosystem for startups and tech-driven enterprises.
Q5. What are MeitY’s future plans to advance India’s digital agenda?
MeitY is focused on initiatives like Digital India 2.0, promoting emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain, enhancing cybersecurity capabilities, and fostering international collaborations to position India as a global digital powerhouse in the years to come.
In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.
For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here
For Daily Updates and Study Material:
Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS
- 1. Learn through Videos – here
- 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
- 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
- 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here
