Why in the news ?

• Recently,fearing "aerial bombardment and attacks," around 5,400 people from Myanmar have sought refuge in Manipur's Kamjong district.

About Kamjong District:

• Location: Kamjong district shares its eastern border with Myanmar.
• Neighbouring Districts: To the west are Thoubal and Kangpokpi districts, dominated by Meiteis and Kuki-Zos respectively.
• Post-2021 Coup Migration: Since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, many people have crossed over to Mizoram and Manipur due to shared ethnic ties with the local populations.
• India and Myanmar share an unfenced border; however, earlier this year, the Union Home Minister announced the suspension of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar. 
• The Assam Rifles are deployed along the Myanmar border.

Refugee Crisis in India:

• Afghan Refugees:
  
  • Cause: The resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan has led to an influx of Afghan refugees seeking safety and asylum in India.
  • Demographics: Many of these refugees are Sikhs and Hindus facing religious persecution.
• Rohingya Crisis:
  
  • Cause: Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar have sought refuge in India due to ethnic violence and persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
  • Government Stance: India has been grappling with their status, with the government taking a firm stance on their deportation. 
• Tibetan Refugees:
  
  • Cause: Tibetans have been living in India since the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.
  • Status: They are granted refugee status and live primarily in settlements in states like Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka.

India's Policy on Refugees:

• Non-Signatory Status: India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol.
• Foreigners Act of 1946: Section 3: Empowers the Central government to detect, detain, and deport illegal foreign nationals.
• Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920: Section 5: Authorities can forcibly remove an illegal foreigner under Article 258(1) of the Constitution of India.
• Registration of Foreigners Act of 1939: All foreign nationals (excluding Overseas Citizens of India) visiting India on a long-term visa (more than 180 days) must register with a Registration Officer within 14 days of arrival.
• Citizenship Act, 1955: Covers renunciation, termination, and deprivation of citizenship.
• Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA): Seeks to provide citizenship to Hindu, Christian, Jain, Parsi, Sikh, and Buddhist immigrants persecuted in Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
• Illegal Immigrants: According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, foreign nationals who enter the country without valid travel documents are treated as illegal immigrants.

Challenges Faced by India due to Influx of Refugees:

• Resource Strain: Hosting refugees increases the demand for resources such as food, water, housing, and healthcare, particularly in regions where infrastructure is already overburdened.
• Legal and Administrative Concerns: The absence of a comprehensive legal framework for refugees in India leads to difficulties in determining their legal status and providing access to essential services like education and employment.
• Social Cohesion: The presence of large numbers of refugees can strain social cohesion, potentially causing tensions with local communities, especially when resources are perceived as limited.
• Security Concerns: The influx of refugees raises security concerns, including the potential infiltration of extremist elements and challenges in monitoring movements across porous borders.
• Diplomatic Relations: Hosting refugees can complicate diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries or countries of origin, particularly in cases of geopolitical tensions or disputes.
• Integration Issues: Integrating refugees into Indian society is difficult due to language barriers, cultural differences, and the lack of specific programs or policies designed for their integration.
• Economic Impact: Refugees often compete for low-skilled jobs, affecting the local job market. Additionally, their potential economic contributions through entrepreneurship or labour are frequently underutilised.

Way Ahead:

• Refugee Status Determination: Develop clear procedures for determining refugee status and provide appropriate legal protections.
• Access to Rights: Guarantee refugees access to essential rights such as education, healthcare, and employment.
• Regional Collaboration: Collaborate with neighbouring countries and international organisations to manage refugee flows and share responsibilities.
• Bilateral Agreements: Enhance diplomatic relations to facilitate the safe return or resettlement of refugees.
• Empowerment Initiatives: Encourage initiatives that economically and socially empower refugees, such as vocational training and language education.
• Conflict Resolution: Tackle the root causes of displacement through diplomatic efforts and support for peacebuilding initiatives.

Source: TH

Why in the news?

• Recently, the Indian Government said that the country’s share in the global space economy is projected to increase fourfold by 2030 compared to 2021. 

About India’s Space economy:

• India has established itself as a pioneer in space exploration, evolving from transporting rocket parts on bullock carts to achieving milestones like launching a record number of satellites in a single mission.

Present Status:

• According to a report by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey, the global space industry was valued at $630 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a rate of 9% annually, reaching $1.8 trillion by 2035. 
• India's space economy, valued at $8.4 billion in 2023, currently represents approximately 2-3% of the global space economy. 
• India has earned $174 million from launching foreign satellites, with $157 million of that total earned over the past nine years alone.

Importance and Achievements:

• ISRO has established itself as a reliable global player in satellite launches with its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) series.
• India has achieved milestones in advanced technologies with successful missions like Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and XpoSat. Notably, the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2013 made India the first nation to reach Martian orbit on its maiden attempt.
• India's Space Technology has widespread applications across sectors such as Disaster Management, SVAMITVA, PM Gati Shakti, Railways, Highways, Smart Cities, Agriculture, Water Mapping, Telemedicine, and Robotic Surgery.
• The Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), or NavIC, provides precise positioning information across India and its surrounding regions.

Challenges:

• ISRO operates on a constrained budget compared to other major space agencies, limiting the scale and frequency of its missions and launches.
• India's satellite manufacturing and testing infrastructure is less extensive and advanced than that of the USA and European nations.
• Regulatory frameworks and bureaucratic processes can hinder private sector growth and innovation in the space sector.
• Indian entities, including ISRO and private companies, face challenges competing globally due to resource limitations and technology gaps.

Initiatives:

• The Indian Space Policy 2023 allows Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) to participate comprehensively in all aspects of space activities.
• The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) was established to facilitate private sector engagement in space ventures.
• India now hosts nearly 200 private space startups, which have emerged since the sector was opened up, with some transforming from earlier roles into entrepreneurs.
• Private space startups have invested over Rs. 1,000 crore in the current financial year (April-December 2023).
• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), operating under the Department of Space (DoS), serves as ISRO's commercial arm, assisting NGEs in commercialising space technologies and platforms.
• Amendments to the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy permit 100% FDI for satellite manufacturing, satellite data products, and ground and user segments, with up to 74% allowed through the automatic route, subject to government approval beyond 74%.

Way Forward:

• India's space sector, leveraging ISRO, NSIL, IN-SPACe, and its startup ecosystem, aims to excel globally and innovate for societal benefits.
• Government support is crucial as space tech entrepreneurs initiate private sector participation, pivotal for India's space economy success.
• Strategic investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, innovation, and education are pivotal for India to achieve a US$44 billion space economy by 2033, reinforcing global leadership in space technology.

Source: AIR

Why in the news ?

• Recently, the Centre has partially notified the Telecommunications Act, making provisions including sections 1, 2, 10, and 30 effective from June 26.
• The Telecom Bill was passed in December 2023 by the Indian Parliament.

What are the Key Provisions of Telecommunications Act, 2023?

• Authorization and Licensing Requirements:
  
  • Prior central government authorization is mandatory for telecommunication services or networks.
  • Existing licences remain valid for their period or up to five years.
• Spectrum Allocation and Usage:
  
  • Spectrum assigned via auctions, except for national security, disaster management, and satellite services.
  • Government can re-purpose frequencies and allows spectrum sharing, trading, leasing, and surrender.
• Satellite Internet Provision:
  
  • Legislation allocates spectrum to satellite internet providers like OneWeb and Starlink.
  • Active authorizations granted to OneWeb and Jio for satellite-based internet.
• Surveillance and Suspension Powers:
  
  • Government can intercept, monitor, or block messages for public safety or emergencies.
  • Telecom services can be suspended and infrastructure temporarily possessed during emergencies.
• Regulation and Standards:
  
  • Central government prescribes standards for telecom equipment and infrastructure.
  • Amendments to TRAI Act require chairpersons and members to have extensive professional experience.
  • Chairpersons need 30 years of experience and board-level or CEO experience; members need 25 years.
• Digital Bharat Nidhi and OTT Services:
  
  • USOF was retained as Digital Bharat Nidhi for research and development.
  • OTT services excluded from the Telecom Act, regulated under the potential Digital India Act, 2023.
• Legal Offences and Penalties:
  
  • Bill specifies criminal and civil offences, including unauthorised telecom services and term breaches.
  • Penalties range from fines to imprisonment, adjudicated by designated officers and committees.
• National Security Measures:
  
  • Post-2020 India-China conflict measures integrated, preventing telecom equipment imports from adversarial nations.

What are the Merits and Demerits of the Telecommunications Act, 2023?

Merits:

• Shifts to New Paradigms:
  • The Telecommunication Act 2023 replaces outdated acts, accommodating the evolving landscape of human-human, human-machine, and machine-machine communications.
• Navigates Different Communication Technologies:
  
  • The Act navigates generations of communication technologies, including voice calls, messaging, video calls, wearables, and Industry 4.0.
  • It anticipates the integration of AI, IoT, and quantum computing in future communications.
• Forward Steps:
  
  • Emphasises promoting competition and mobilising resources for infrastructure upgrades in a debt-laden industry.
• Technology Neutrality in Spectrum Use:
  
  • Advocates for technology neutrality in spectrum use, ensuring telecom services are not defined by technology type.
  • Ensures non-discriminatory, non-exclusive access to infrastructure for new market entrants on commercial terms.
• Regulatory Convergence for Digital Technologies:
  
  • Addresses the convergence of telecommunications and the internet, stressing the need for regulatory convergence.
  • Acknowledges the challenge of fragmented oversight over converged services, questioning the efficacy of separate licences and administrative departments.

Demerits:

• Contested Provisions and Privacy Concerns:
  
  • The Act does not adequately address concerns about government powers during safety standards and emergencies, potentially infringing on privacy with limited accountability.
  • Balancing safety with privacy is a critical concern for governing officers.
• Challenges in 5G/6G Implementation:
  
  • India faces challenges in 5G adoption due to unattractive use cases, poor monetization, and insufficient infrastructure investment.
  • Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel's commitment to reducing capex post-2023-24 raises concerns.
  • The Act lacks a specific approach to promote 5G and 6G infrastructure development in a timely manner.

What Government Initiatives to Improve the Telecom Sector In India?

• Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI)
  
  • Objective: Enhance internet access and connectivity.
  • Implementation: Public data offices (PDOs) set up nationwide.
  • Cost: Provides free or affordable internet services.
  • Infrastructure: Utilises existing Wi-Fi networks.
  • Impact: Increases digital inclusion, especially in rural areas.
• Bharatnet Project:
  
  • Objective: Provide high-speed broadband to rural India.
  • Scope: Connects all Gram Panchayats (GPs) via optical fibre.
  • Phases: Three phases for comprehensive coverage.
  • Speed: Aims for minimum 100 Mbps speed.
  • Reach: Targets 2.5 lakh GPs across the country.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI):
  
  • Objective: Boost domestic telecom equipment manufacturing.
  • Incentives: Financial incentives for manufacturers.
  • Focus Areas: Covers various telecom and networking products.
  • Duration: Spread over five years.
  • Impact: Aims to make India a global manufacturing hub.
• Bharat 6G Alliance:
  
  • Objective: Research and development of 6G technology.
  • Collaboration: Involves government, industry, and academia.
  • Innovation: Focuses on future telecom technologies.
  • Strategy: Prepares India for 6G deployment by 2030.
  • Global Leadership: Aims to position India as a leader in 6G.

Conclusion

Hence, India's telecom sector expansion is crucial for digital transformation. The Telecommunications Act, 2023 aims to foster service competition, shift to fibre-based networks, and promote technological dynamism, focusing on tangible progress and ushering in a new telecommunications era.

Source: TH