InstaLinks : help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions ina your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically
Table of Contents:
GS Paper 2:
- Telecom Bill 2023
Content for Mains Enrichment
- Greenwashing
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
- Borrowings by the States
- Evergreening of Loan by AIF
- Touchscreens
- Anti-cold fixed drug combination
- TEMPO satellite
- Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR)
- Operation Prosperity Guardian
Mapping
- Gelephu Smartcity Project (Bhutan)
Telecom Bill 2023
GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Government Policies and Intervention
Source: TH
Context: Lok Sabha passed the Telecom Bill 2023, aiming to replace existing laws, including the 138-year-old Indian Telegraph Act.
Need of the Bill:
The Telecommunication Bill 2023 is essential for:
- Sector Transformation: The telecommunication sector has undergone substantial changes, including shifts in nature, usage, and underlying technologies like 5G.
- Modernization of Laws: Existing telecom laws in India date back to colonial times (two of them) and 1950.
- Safety and Security: The Telecommunication Bill 2023 aims to overhaul outdated laws, providing a legal and regulatory framework prioritizing the safety and security of telecommunication networks while fostering inclusive digital growth.
Key provisions of the Bill:
| Key Provisions | Details |
| Repealed Acts | The bill seeks to replace the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885; Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933; Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950; Amends the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997 |
| Authorisation for Telecom-related Activities | Prior authorization is needed from the central government for providing telecom services, establishing, operating, maintaining, or expanding telecom networks, and possessing radio equipment |
| Existing licenses remain valid for the grant period or five years if unspecified | |
| Assignment of Spectrum | Spectrum will only be assigned through auction, except for specified uses such as national security, defence, disaster management, weather forecasting, transport, satellite services (DTH and satellite telephony), BSNL, MTNL, and public broadcasting |
| Supreme Court in 2012 ruled that there should be competitive auctioning for the distribution of natural public-owned resources such as spectrum. | |
| Central government may re-purpose or re-assign frequency ranges or allow sharing, trading, leasing, and surrender of spectrum | |
| Trusted Sources Regime | The Bill allows the government to curb the import of telecom equipment from potentially adversarial nations ( this provision was 1st introduced post-India-China border conflict for Chinese equipment) |
| Cyber Security | The Telecommunication Bill 2023 empowers the central government to establish cyber security rules, encompassing the collection, analysis, and dissemination of traffic data in communication networks. |
| Satellite Internet Allotments | Provisions for allocating spectrum to satellite Internet providers like OneWeb, SpaceX’s Starlink |
| Powers of Interception and Search | Messages interception, monitoring, or blocking on specified grounds, including public safety, emergencies, and security of the state |
| Telecom services suspension on similar grounds is allowed in the act. | |
| The government may take temporary possession of telecom infrastructure, network, or services during public emergencies or safety concerns | |
| Authorized officers may search premises or vehicles for unauthorized networks or equipment | |
| Powers to Specify Standards | Central government may set standards and assessments for telecom equipment, infrastructure, networks, and services |
| Right of Way | Facility providers may seek right of way over public or private property to establish telecom infrastructure – Non-discriminatory and non-exclusive right of way, to the extent possible |
| Protection of Users | Measures for user protection, including prior consent for specified messages, creation of Do Not Disturb registers, and reporting mechanisms for malware or specified messages |
| Mandatory biometric authentication for telecom customers to combat spam calls and messages | |
| Online mechanism for registration and redressal of grievances by entities providing telecom services | |
| Appointments to TRAI | Amendments to the TRAI Act allow individuals with at least 30 years of professional experience to serve as the chairperson and at least 25 years of professional experience to serve as members |
| Digital Bharat Nidhi | Universal Service Obligation Fund has been renamed as Digital Bharat Nidhi. It allows for the fund utilization for research and development |
| Regulation of OTT Apps | The bill excludes over-the-top (OTT) services and apps (e.g. Twitter, WhatsApp) from the definition of telecommunication services |
| OTT services will be regulated by the Ministry of Electronics and IT through the potential Digital India Act | |
| Offences and Penalties | The bill prescribes punishment for unauthorized provision of telecom services or access to networks/data punishable with imprisonment, fines, or both |
| The central government will appoint an adjudicating officer (rank of joint secretary and above) for civil offences | |
| Appeal Process | Appeals to Designated Appeals Committee and Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) |
| Disasters | In times of public emergencies, the government may temporarily take control of telecommunication services to prioritize the transmission of crucial messages |
Concerns related to the bill:
| Concerns | Details |
| Privacy Concerns | Entities mandated for biometric user authentication to curb fraud, raising user privacy concerns |
| Ambiguity in Definition | The generic definition of ‘telecommunication services,’ open to wide interpretations |
| Possession of Network | Telecommunication Bill 2023 grants government authority to “take temporary possession” of the network |
| There is a need for clarity on the definition of “possession” and the duration of a “temporary” term | |
| Potential Misuse of Power | The bill empowers central and state governments to suspend communication during public emergencies or for public safety. Critics have raised concerns about potential misuse to suppress dissenting voices |
| Restrictive Powers of TRAI | The draft allows the appointment of private sector corporate executives as TRAI chairpersons. A person from a private field may dilute the neutral adjudication of cases by TRAI. |
Government Schemes:
- PM-WANI: Initiative for Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface.
- Bharatnet Project: Focuses on nationwide broadband connectivity.
- PLI Scheme: Supports manufacturing of telecom and networking products.
- Bharat 6G Alliance: Collaboration for advancing 6G technology in India.
The way forward and Conclusion:
To safeguard against misuse, executive action triggered by a declared national emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution should necessitate Parliamentary approval. Ensuring alignment with fundamental rights, particularly the right to privacy, is crucial in aspects of message interception and service suspension. The government, armed with extensive powers granted by the Bill, must address privacy concerns with openness and undertake rule-making processes transparently, engaging in consultations with various stakeholders. Broader consultations, involving private entities, the public, and other stakeholders, should be conducted to gather diverse perspectives on the current version of the bill.
About TRAI:
TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) is a statutory body formed under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. Its mandate includes regulating telecom services and determining/revising tariffs. The TRAI Act was amended to create the Telecommunications Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) to handle adjudicatory and dispute functions formerly managed by TRAI.
About the Telecom sector in India:
The Indian telecom industry ranks second globally with 1.179 billion subscribers (wireless + wireline) as of August 2023. It stands as the fourth-largest sector for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), constituting 6% of total FDI inflow. India’s teledensity, indicating telecom penetration, is at over 84%.
Insta Links:
Mains Link:
Discuss the challenges facing the Indian telecom sector today. What should the Government of India do to save the telecom sector?
Greenwashing
Content for Mains Enrichment
Source: IE
Context: The UK banned advertisements from Air France, Lufthansa, and Etihad in December, accusing them of greenwashing—misleading consumers about the environmental impact of air travel.
Greenwashing involves creating a false impression of climate-friendly practices, and it often overshadows environmentally damaging activities. The aviation industry, responsible for around 2.5% of human-produced CO2 emissions, faces scrutiny. Without measures, its contribution could rise to 5% by 2050, per the UN IPCC.
Borrowings by the States
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: States in India may have the option to access around ₹2.04 lakh crore in additional borrowings beyond their net borrowing limits for the year, according to the Finance Ministry.
The Centre has granted 22 states permission to raise nearly ₹61,000 crore this year, exceeding their net borrowing ceilings set at 3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
Reason:
This additional borrowing capacity is extended to states that fulfilled pension liabilities by contributing to the National Pension System (NPS). Additionally, states can potentially raise over ₹1.43 lakh crore based on the Ministry of Power’s recommendations tied to power sector reforms.
Rules regarding borrowing by States:
States in India have a normal net borrowing ceiling set at 3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for the fiscal year 2024, as per the Fifteenth Finance Commission’s recommendation. Additionally, states receive an extra 0.5% of GSDP in borrowing capacity as a performance-based incentive for power sector reforms, enabling them to borrow ₹1.43 lakh crore for FY24 based on the Ministry of Power’s recommendation.
Constitutionally, Article 293(3) stipulates that a state cannot raise a loan without the consent of the Government of India if any part of a previous loan from the central government remains outstanding.
Evergreening of Loan by AIF
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has strengthened regulations for Regulated Entities (RE), including banks and financial institutions, to curb the evergreening of loans through investments in Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
What is the evergreening of loans?
It refers to the practice where a lender extends new credit to borrowers who are struggling to meet their debt obligations. Instead of addressing the underlying financial issues, the lender provides additional funds, essentially giving the appearance that the borrower’s financial situation is stable.
This can create a temporary illusion of creditworthiness but may lead to a cycle of increasing debt and delayed resolution of financial difficulties. Regulatory authorities often aim to prevent evergreening to ensure a transparent and healthy financial system.
What is AIF:
While REs commonly invest in AIF units as part of their regular operations, certain transactions involving AIFs have raised regulatory concerns. To address these concerns, the RBI prohibits REs from investing in AIF schemes with downstream investments in debtor companies of the RE. If an AIF scheme, in which an RE is an investor, makes a downstream investment in a debtor company, the RE must liquidate its investment within 30 days. Failure to do so requires a 100% provision on the investments.
Touchscreens
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The article explores the working principles of touchscreens, focusing on their historical development and prevalent technologies.
- Touchscreens serve the dual purpose of receiving inputs and displaying outputs, making them integral to devices like smartphones, ATMs, household appliances, and more.
There are two main types of touchscreens, capacitive and resistive.
- Capacitive touchscreens, used in smartphones, operate by detecting changes in electric fields when a finger touches the screen.
- Resistive touchscreens, with two conductive sheets separated by a small gap, function based on the change in resistance when touched.
The rising dominance of capacitive touchscreens in consumer electronics since 2007 due to their superior image clarity, sensitivity, and durability compared to resistive touchscreens.
Anti-cold fixed drug combination
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: Economic Times
Context: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in India has prohibited the use of an anti-cold fixed drug combination in children below four years of age.
About fixed drug combination:
- Combination products, also known as fixed dose drug combinations (FDCs), are combinations of two or more active drugs in a single dosage form.
- The Food and Drug Administration, USA defines a combination product as ‘a product composed of any combination of a drug and a device or a biological product and a device or a drug and a biological product or a drug, device, and a biological product.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is India’s national regulatory body for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. It’s responsible for overseeing the import, manufacture, sale, and distribution of medical devices in the country.
TEMPO satellite
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: Hindustan Times
Context: NASA’s TEMPO satellite, the Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution sensor, is a ground breaking Earth-observation satellite in geostationary orbit designed to provide hourly measurements of pollutants over North America.
- TEMPO covers a vast area from Canada’s oil sands to the Yucatán Peninsula and spans across the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, enhancing its ability to monitor air pollution comprehensively.
Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR)
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: DTE
Context: The rise in tiger numbers at Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) is attributed to a reduction in human activities, particularly restrictions on illegal mining in the eco-sensitive zone.
- The ban on sand and stone mining inside VTR, along with strict limits in its eco-sensitive zone, led to increased grassland cover.
- Tiger numbers in VTR increased from 28 in 2014 to 54 in the current year, with 31 recorded in 2018.
Bihar is also pursuing the establishment of a second tiger reserve in Kaimur district.
Operation Prosperity Guardian
Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: The Guardian
Context: The US has introduced Operation Prosperity Guardian, an enhanced naval protection force in the southern Red Sea to counter Houthi attacks on merchant shipping under the Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153).
- The Houthi attacks, initially focused on supporting Hamas in Gaza, have escalated to target merchant tankers in the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
- Operation Prosperity Guardian includes participation from the UK, with HMS Diamond contributing alongside three US destroyers.
The Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153) is a United States Navy-led initiative that focuses on Red Sea Maritime Security. It was established in 2022 and is one of five task forces operated by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)
Gelephu Smartcity Project (Bhutan)
Mapping
Source: Firstpost
Context: Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has unveiled the ‘Gelephu Smartcity Project,’ a mega international city near the Indian border covering 1,000 square kilometres.
The project aims to create an economic corridor connecting South Asia with Southeast Asia via India’s northeastern states, particularly Assam. The Gelephu Special Administrative Region (SAR) will have different laws to attract foreign investment and include plans for an international airport. The project involves an India-Bhutan railway line to Gelephu and aims to connect Bhutan to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore.
Bhutan is a landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas, bordered by China and India. Known as “Druk Yul” or “Land of the Thunder Dragon,” it has a constitutional monarchy with a king as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. Vajrayana Buddhism is the state religion, and Gangkhar Puensum is its highest peak, also the highest unclimbed mountain globally.
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