Author: Barkha Manral

In today’s hyperconnected world, the phrase “data at your fingertips” has become almost a given. But what happens when politics gets in the way and suddenly, the keys to your digital kingdom are out of reach? This isn’t a futuristic cautionary tale, it’s reality for Nayara Energy, a major India-based refiner, whose experience with tech giant Microsoft shows how geopolitics can instantly disrupt business operations.

[Image source: Reuters.com]

The Day the Cloud Went Dark
The shock to Nayara Energy was immediate: access to its emails, data, and communication tools . paid for upfront and essential to the day-to-day running of the company; just vanished. Why? 

Not due to a technical error or unpaid bill, but due to sanctions against Russia, with which Nayara conducts large volumes of business. Microsoft, reacting to European Union laws, shut off the tap, and Nayara was left clutching at air: frozen out of valuable digital assets without warning and an immediate fix.

Legal Fights and a Last-minute Glue

Hopeful to restore control, Nayara approached the Delhi High Court. The countdown had begun: If your business’s lifeline is dependent on digital infrastructure, a few hours of outage can prove costly. Microsoft restored Nayara’s access a few days before the hearing was scheduled, but doubts lingered. Would services get cut once again in case the winds of geopolitics shift?

The Hidden Risks Behind the Cloud

What the Nayara–Microsoft case illustrates is a poorly ventilated hazard of the modern corporate era. Cross-border tech transactions are increasingly beholden not just to commercial conditions, but to the whimsical tides of international law and politics. Multinationals operating in politically sensitive sectors — energy, finance, communications, stand genuine risk of abruptly losing access to equipment and data due to sanctions or regulatory edicts half a world away.

[Image source: Economic Times]

Protecting Your Business in an Ideologized Age of TechnologyNayara’s story is a warning to companies everywhere, especially those with international reach. Don’t assume things will continue as usual: Even robust service agreements may be superseded by foreign regulations or regulatory decrees. Legal preparedness is essential: Be adamant about having devices for swift legal action, even in nations other than your homeland.

Diversify when possible: Avoid single-provider lock-in for mission-critical services, especially where geopolitical sensitivities are at play.

Monitor geopolitical events: Remain ahead of regulatory updates, sanctions, and policy advancements in every country you do business.

Looking Ahead: 

• Worldwide IT infrastructure has sped up and driven innovation in business, but, as Nayara found out, it is more susceptible to government interference. 
• Digital resilience is no longer an issue of cybersecurity or availability; it’s about interpreting and getting ready for a world in which your ability to access technology can depend upon the following geopolitical headline.
• Embedding Resilience into Your Digital Strategy

Is your business prepared for digital shocks? Share your experience or comments below — and let’s build robust strategies together for the new era of global business.

To Read More:
1) https://www.thehindu.com/business/nayara-energy-moved-delhi-hc-against-microsoft-over-suspension-of-services/article69865880.ece
2) https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/nayara-energy-microsoft-legal-case-service-suspension-eu-sanctions-india-125072801100_1.html
3) https://www.reuters.com/world/india/russia-backed-nayara-taps-indian-it-firm-after-microsoft-suspends-service-2025-07-29/

In what can be counted only as an astonishing technological step since someone invented the “Are You Sure?” dialog box, President Trump has weighed in on tariffs for Indian IT services. “I know technology better than anybody else, believe me,” he said, likely while his iPhone auto-corrected “covfefe” in the background.

We are seeing a digital enlightenment from a man whose biggest tech contribution was getting his tweets trending with sheer mistakes.

The Technical Breakthrough: Applying Tariff Logic to Binary Code

Our steady genius has identified the primary problem with America’s technology issues: we’ve allowed foreign nationals to control our computer infrastructure. His additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total to as much as 50%, does not apply to IT services directly, but the ripple effects may leave American bits and bytes feeling the heat. The tariff was announced on August 6, 2025, and will take effect approximately 21 days later, around August 27, 2025 . The policy is centered on:

• Software Development Services: Why employ competent programmers when you can pay extra for less talented ones? It’s like paying for a Ferrari that’s nothing more than a shopping cart with racing stripes.
• Call Center Operations: At last! Americans can experience being on hold with someone in their time zone who is unable to assist.
• Management of Cloud Infrastructure: Trump has solved cloud computing with it raining money. Unfortunately, this is our money in the wrong hands.

Trump’s Technology Credentials: A Closer Look

When queried on the nitty-gritty technicalities, Trump explained from his expertise: “I know cyber more than anybody. I have a great brain for technology. My nephew attended MIT, so it runs in the family.”

This has stunned Silicon Valley, where managers are rushing to sort out how they have got it all wrong all along. “We’ve been worried about things like scalability, distributed systems design, and machine learning optimization,” opined one anonymous tech CEO. “We ought to have been worrying about smart nephews.”

The Practical Implications: A Systems Analysis

For American Companies:
The tariffs will build what economists refer to as a “forced innovation environment.” Firms will make outsourcing so expensive that they’d have to employ locally. This presumes that the approximately 200,000 skilled developers required in the U.S. market will simply materialize through technological replication.

For the Technology Stack:
Today’s U.S.–India IT collaborations manage approximately 60% of America’s enterprise software maintenance, 40% of cloud computing, and 35% of cybersecurity surveillance. The tariffs will compel American businesses to do one of the following:

1. Pay 25% extra for the same services
2. Rapidly train native substitutes
3. Allow their systems to deteriorate while yelling “America First!” at their bug reports

For Network Latency:
Moving operations back to the U.S. will decrease ping times, a technical silver lining nobody probably expected Trump but will probably claim credit for. “I made the internet faster,” would be an easy next tweet.

The Digital Diplomacy Angle

Trump’s tech diplomacy strategy is like a DDoS attack on global affairs: bludgeoning, relentless, and ultimately useless. With attacks on India’s $150 billion IT services sector, the administration is effectively issuing an ultimatum to the country that:

• Offers 24/7 support to U.S. businesses across 12 time zones
• Provides the backend for 70% of the Fortune 500
• Has been educating U.S. businesses on digital transformation since Y2K

The Irony Protocol

The most profound irony is that while Trump’s tariffs visibly target India’s $150 billion IT services machinery, his own platform, Truth Social, runs on American hosting (RightForge and Rumble) rather than offshore providers. So the tech behind his tweets isn’t at risk from his policy, but American consumers and IT clients very much are.

It’s like trying to perform surgery on yourself blindfolded, technically feasible, but the patient almost always doesn’t survive.

Expert Analysis: The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Policy Form

Dr. Sarah Chen, a systems architect at MIT (yes, the same MIT that Trump’s nephew attended), offered this insight:
“This is what happens when someone who thinks Twitter is ‘the cyber’ tries to manage a $4 trillion global technology system. It’s like attempting to debug a complex system using just a magnifying glass and patriotic feelings.”

This policy is a textbook-level demonstration of the Dunning–Kruger effect, when individuals with little knowledge in an area overestimate their expertise. Here, we witness it played out on the stage of international trade policy in a way that would make the inventors of ARPANET weep.

The Bottom Line: Merging the Consequences

As U.S. companies prepare to either write larger checks or rebuild their technical networks within the U.S., one thing remains certain: Trump’s grasp of technology is as secure as Internet Explorer’s 1995 security model.

The real winners? American developers, are now able to command better salaries as firms seek domestic alternatives. The losers? American consumers will eventually pay more for everything, from banking services to streaming sites.

But at least we’ll have the consolation of knowing our customer service reps work in the same time zone, even if they can’t help us any better than before.

In the immortal words of every system administrator who has ever survived a catastrophic failure: “Well, this should be interesting.”

Why the most innovative companies are automating the work, not the worker?

The Great Automation Misconception

Walk into any corporate boardroom discussing digital transformation, and you’ll likely hear executives talking about “automating jobs” and “replacing positions.” But here’s the thing: “This mindset is not just wrong, it’s counterproductive”. The companies that truly succeed with automation aren’t trying to eliminate humans from the equation. They’re eliminating the soul-crushing, repetitive parts of work that humans shouldn’t be doing anyway.

The difference between automating tasks versus automating jobs isn’t just semantic , it’s the difference between empowering your workforce and alienating them.

What Does Task Automation Look Like?

Let’s start with a real example. Jaya works as a financial analyst at a mid-sized company. Her job description says she’s responsible for “financial planning and analysis,” but if you shadowed her for a week, you’d see she spends roughly:

• 40% of her time is spent manually extracting data from various systems and formatting it into spreadsheets
• 25% of her time is spent creating the same monthly reports with slightly different numbers
• 20% of her time is spent chasing down colleagues for missing information
• 15% of her time is spent analyzing trends and providing strategic insights

Now, which of these activities would you automate? The smart answer isn’t to replace Jaya entirely – it’s to eliminate the first three categories so she can spend 100% of her time on what she was hired to do: think strategically about the numbers.

The Task-First Automation Framework

When we shift from “How can we replace this person?” to “How can we eliminate the tedious parts of this person’s day?”, everything changes. Here’s how to think about it:

1. Identify the Human Elements That Matter

Before automating anything, ask yourself: What parts of this job require human judgment, creativity, or relationship-building? These are your protected zones , the activities that should never be automated, no matter how sophisticated the technology becomes.

For a customer service representative, this might be:

• Handling complex complaints that require empathy
• Building relationships with key clients
• Identifying patterns in customer feedback that suggest product improvements

2. Map the Administrative Burden

Next, identify everything that falls into what I call “administrative friction” – the tedious, repetitive tasks that prevent people from doing their real work:

• Data entry and formatting
• Scheduling and calendar management
• Generating routine reports
• Following up on standard requests
• Moving information between systems

These are your automation targets.

3. Design Human-AI Collaboration

The magic happens when you design systems where humans and automation complement each other. Think of automation as the world’s best research assistant – it handles the grunt work so humans can focus on the thinking work.

Why This Approach Works Better

It Reduces Resistance

When you tell employees you’re “automating their jobs,” you create fear and resistance. When you tell them you’re “automating the boring parts so they can focus on the interesting work,” you create excitement. I’ve seen teams go from actively sabotaging automation initiatives to becoming their most prominent champions, simply because of how the initiative was framed and implemented.

It Improves Job Satisfaction

Nobody gets into marketing because they love updating spreadsheets. Nobody becomes an engineer because they enjoy writing status reports. When you remove these administrative tasks, you’re not just making people more productive – you’re making their work more fulfilling.

It Creates Better Business Outcomes

Here’s what most executives miss: A human doing only human-level work is far more valuable than a human doing a mix of human work and robot work. When you automate tasks rather than jobs, you don’t just maintain your human capital – you amplify it.

The Implementation Reality Check

This approach isn’t always more straightforward than the “replace everything with robots” mentality. It requires more nuanced thinking about work design. You need to:

Invest in Change Management: People need to understand not just what’s changing, but why it benefits them personally.

Redesign Roles, Not Just Processes: When you remove 40% of someone’s tasks, you need to be intentional about what fills that space. This is an opportunity to add more strategic, creative, or relationship-focused work.

Accept That Some Jobs Will Change Dramatically: While you’re not eliminating positions, some roles will transform significantly. A data analyst who no longer needs to spend hours collecting data will require new skills in interpretation and storytelling.

The Skills Shift Strategy

When you automate tasks instead of jobs, you create what I call “skills drift” – the natural evolution of roles toward more uniquely human capabilities. This means investing in:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving for roles that will handle more complex scenarios
• Communication and presentation skills for people who will spend more time explaining insights rather than generating them
• Strategic thinking for roles that will have more time to focus on long-term planning
• Cross-functional collaboration, as people have more bandwidth to work across teams

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

The “Efficiency Trap”

Don’t measure success purely by how much faster tasks get completed. Measure it by how much more valuable work gets done. If you automate data collection but don’t create space for data analysis, you’ve missed the point.

The “Set It and Forget It” Mentality

Task automation requires ongoing refinement. As people get comfortable with their new workflows, they’ll identify additional opportunities for improvement. Build feedback loops into your process.

The “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach

Different roles will have different automation opportunities. Don’t try to force the same solution across every department. Customize your approach based on the specific mix of tasks in each role.

Looking Forward: The Human-Centric Workplace

The companies that get this right are creating workplaces where technology handles the routine and humans handle the remarkable. They’re not eliminating jobs, they’re removing the parts of jobs that were never really suitable for humans in the first place.

This isn’t just about being nice to employees (though that matters). It’s about being smart with your resources. In a world where creativity, critical thinking, and human connection are becoming increasingly valuable, why would you want your people spending time on tasks that a computer can handle?

The future belongs to organisations that see automation as a tool for human amplification, not human replacement. The question isn’t whether to automate , it’s whether you’ll automate thoughtfully, with humans at the centre of your strategy.

Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t to build a company full of robots. It’s to create a company where humans get to do what humans do best.

What tasks in your organisation are crying out for automation? Start there, and see where it leads. You might be surprised by how much human potential you unlock when you stop trying to automate the human.

Electric scooters, smartphones, satellite internet—none of these work without a hidden layer of power: rare earth elements (REEs). These 17 obscure minerals, mined deep within the Earth, quietly power everything from TikTok and Instagram Reels to national defence systems. While we debate AI ethics and celebrate the Quantum Year, and discuss clean energy transitions, a quieter but consequential contest is unfolding beneath the surface. We were either not aware of or never cared about this topic, because, as an individual, I also didn’t realise its importance until I took a Public Policy course at The Takshashila Institution, which included a policy simulation about the Rare Earth metal problem, a crucial yet rare resource. It’s one where China produces 61% of the globally mined rare earths and dominates 92% of the worldwide total output. The question isn’t whether this is just smart economics, but whether it’s a long-term strategic threat. Despite holding large reserves, India has been watching from the sidelines—a position we may not be able to afford much longer.

[Image Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/rare-earth]

There’s little doubt that China engineered its dominance through years of market manipulation, flooding the world with cheap REEs and absorbing the environmental costs other nations wouldn’t. But this monopoly is far from invincible.

When China restricts exports—as it did to Japan in 2010—it triggers global alarm as well as global action. The US, EU, and Australia have since invested heavily to de-risk their supply chains, and India, custodian of the third-largest rare earth reserves, has a moment to seize. So far, however, lethargy persists: over 90% of our rare earths are still imported from China, despite our efforts to promote “Digital India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat“.

“In July, New Delhi moved beyond rhetoric: the Centre announced a ₹1,345 crore incentive scheme to boost domestic production of rare‑earth magnets—covering everything from oxide refining to finished magnets. Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy confirmed that two lead manufacturers, including Mahindra & Mahindra and Uno Minda, have already shown interest. Complementing this, the National Critical Mineral Mission, launched in April, aims to enhance exploration and processing capacities, ensuring that India’s mineral policies align with its digital ambitions.

The real threat isn’t only supply chain risk. It’s the illusion of sovereignty in a digital world where the physical foundations—minerals and materials—remain beyond our control. We are building Indian software and apps on foreign hardware powered by foreign minerals; this is technological dependence by another name. “

[Image Source: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/jun05/d115-1.html]

China’s willingness to weaponise supply chains should be a wake-up call, especially for young Indians who aspire to global leadership. If India wants to own its digital, defence, and green future, it must first own its mineral base.

Yet, there is reason to resist panic. China’s export controls are forcing global diversification, making it harder for China to maintain its dominance in the rare earths market. New refining, recycling, and urban mining technologies are coming up worldwide. For India, this is not just an industrial challenge but a generational opportunity. The “old economy” of minerals is the new economy of semiconductors, batteries, and climate tech. Indian policy and business must invest urgently in R&D, responsible mining, and circular supply chains, turning critical minerals into a platform for both sustainability and sovereignty.

This transformation can’t happen without India’s youth. Start-ups, student-led research, and youth participation in science and foreign policy debates can redefine what resource control looks like in the 21st century. Imagine not only programming for the global stage but also having authority over the essential components that drive those programs.

[Image Source: https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/1293498/view/rare-earth-element-abundance-infographic-chart\]

Critical minerals may lie buried, but their absence threatens to keep India confined as a consumer, rather than a creator, in the global order. The geopolitics of rare earths—much like the geopolitics of oil before them—may spark disruption, but also drive necessary innovation. Whether China’s grip becomes our Achilles’ heel or a catalyst for self-reliance depends on how firmly we grasp the moment beneath our feet.

India should think in the direction of mine, refine it, and lead with it.

Jai Hind!

In July 2015, the Government of India initiated the Digital India mission with a vision for the bold: to make India a digitally empowered society and a knowledge economy. Ten years on, it’s time to take a pause and ponder—what has been achieved, what continues to hold us back, and is India really digitalised?

Spoiler: The response isn’t a simple yes or no.

What Has Worked: The Digital Backbone We Have All Started To Ignore

1. World’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI):
   We currently live in a country where digital identity (Aadhaar), real-time payments (UPI), and digital documents (DigiLocker) are a part of everyday life.
   The DPI stack has made waves globally; countries like Singapore, France, and Kenya are studying versions of this model or already implementing it.
   
2. Welfare, No Intermediaries:
   Through the JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile), the govt. claimed that they have directly transferred ₹34 lakh crore into beneficiaries hands without leakages. This is a monumental change in how subsidies are delivered to citizens and social welfare.
   
3. Platforms that Delivered:
   CoWIN has achieved the immense task of managing India’s vaccination programme. The telemedicine platform eSanjeevani has surpassed 13 crore consultations. FASTag, UMANG, and MyGov have indirectly digitalised citizen engagements with the state.
   
4. India as a Startup Powerhouse:
   Because of helpful policies such as Startup India and user-friendly online services, India counts more than 100 unicorns. The country now takes the lead worldwide in areas like fintech, edtech, and healthtech.
   

Where We Stumble: The Gaps That Persist

1. The Rural-Urban Digital Divide
   Yes, internet and connectivity have reached over 800 million Indians. But even now, there are plenty of areas where people do not have reliable access to Internet connection. Tribal areas, hilly states and border regions are still clearly on the wrong side of the digital map.

To make things worse, only about 35% of rural households have Internet connectivity, and women remain disproportionately disconnected.

2. The BharatNet Bottleneck
   Initially launched to connect 2.5 lakh gram panchayats with optical fiber, BharatNet has been hampered by delays, vendor problems and low take-up. In many places the fibre is in place, but they lack power, last mile equipment, and trained operating people.
   
3. Digital ≠ Digitally Literate
   With projects like PMGDISHA, launched to train rural residents in digital skills, digital fluency is still low, especially for older residents, people with disabilities, and first time users.

The Price of Speed: Cybersecurity and Privacy Failures

As digital infrastructure was advancing at record pace, data protection laws and digital ethics have remained stagnant. We’ve seen, Billion’s of Aadhaar data expose, CoWIN data leak, Lack of serious grievance process, local digital ombudsman.

India’s Data Protection Bill only passed in 2023, cybersecurity strategies do not have on-the-ground implementation.

Local Innovation vs One Size Fits All

Digital India’s most powerful advantage—centralised digital services—can also create blind spots. Platforms like CoWIN illustrated the power of scale, but on the ground issues are often silenced. There is little opportunity for states, districts, or communities to adapt technology to suit their local governance or culture.

Is India Really Digital? Yes – and No. We have world-class digital rails, but not every citizen can use them. We are seeing a rise in digital entrepreneurship, but the digital rights literacy is still low. We have infrastructure, but we don’t have trust, safety, or equal access. A mobile phone in hand does not translate into empowerment – especially when content isn’t in your language, you’re constantly surveilled, or you have no idea how to be safe online.

What comes next for Digital India 2.0? The next phase must move beyond access and look at:
– AI for All: As IndiaAI and ONDC are quickly gaining
-Digital skill-building: Not just coding, but also civic digital literacy.
-Including design: That works for elderly, disabled, women, and low-literate users.
-Ethical and safe tech: Enhanced data governance, grievance redressal, and accountability.

Digital India has absolutely changed how we live, transact, and govern. But a genuinely digital nation isn’t just built on bandwidth; it needs equity, inclusion, and empathy, as core tenants.

Over the next 10 years, we need to ask the more important question:

Can we have India not just as a digitally equipped country, but a digitally just and inclusive country?

In the age of instant updates and 24/7 headlines, news in India is no longer just a source of information—it’s a full-blown experience. Over the past two weeks, as the nation held its breath through political changes, military developments and challenges, social unrest, and economic shifts, we’ve all been riding a wave of emotion. It’s in our WhatsApp groups, our dreams, our tempers, and even our health.

The news has never felt more personal.

India’s recent military developments across the border and the debate over ceasefire talks with Pakistan held center stage. But far from sober, factual coverage, most news channels made it a drama show. Screens lit up with graphics of fire-belching tanks, “war room” panels, jarring music, and hyper-nationalist analysis.

Instead of analyzing the intricacy of geopolitical events, some anchors handled it as if it were a cricket match—complete with simulated battles, retort countdowns, and bombast. Sometimes, the tone slid into satire, with panelists jeering at the other side and framing a serious military issue as primetime entertainment.

This strategy did more than manipulate facts—it inflamed emotion. Audiences weren’t merely educated; they were provoked. Reality and dramatization became indistinguishable. The outcome? ? A gratuitous increase in national apprehension. For numerous viewers at home, the cacophonous arguments and blinking statistics didn’t provide illumination—they presented discombobulation, agitation, and a profound sense of discomfort. What might have been a moment for rational public understanding became instead a boisterous, too-often derisive spectacle.

As geopolitical tensions seethed on television screens, nature produced its own breaking news. Unseasonal rains lashed cities, premature forest fires raged across Uttarakhand’s delicate ecosystems, and a merciless heatwave seared vast tracts of central and northern India. These were pivotal stories—but the manner in which they were presented left little space for reflective thought.

Prime time segments included flashing “ALERT” signs, sonic booms of music, and apocalyptic rhetoric. “Fireballs in the Hills!” or “The Heat That Can Kill!” became common headings. Rather than providing scientific background or solutions, most channels opted to maximize fear—repeating extreme imagery, bringing in generalist commentators, and excluding voices of climate scientists or local responders.

What’s happening is not only a climate crisis—it’s a crisis of how we’re taking it in. For young Indians in particular, the outcome is increasing climate anxiety: a chronic feeling of fear about the future. Media’s good-hearted urgency sometimes becomes overdrive, transforming awareness into overwhelm. In attempting to raise the alarm, the news might be paralyzing many with fear, instead of empowering them to act.

One minute, the news is hailing India’s semiconductor achievements with victory anthems and beaming studio boards. The next, it lurches into hushed speculation on inflation, job cuts, or market collapses. This sustained swinging—between patriotic pride and patriotic fear—causes emotional whiplash among viewers.

Rather than providing balanced context, most news outlets tilt into extremes. Multifaceted progress is boiled down to sensational dichotomies: “India Rising” or “Economic Meltdown,” “Vishwaguru” or “Vulnerable Giant.” And the outcome? A public moved not by reason, but by mood swings.

This type of emotionally manipulative reporting doesn’t just educate—it infects. It transmits optimism one day and terror the next. Eventually, this cycle conditions us to look at the world as precarious and threatening, even when facts could be more complicated. For most Indians, particularly younger audiences and digital natives, the news becomes less a source of clarity and more a vector for emotional churn—scroll by scroll, soundbite by soundbite.

The answer isn’t to turn off entirely—but to take a step back intentionally. Decide what you read. Counteract doomscrolling with richer, more positive reading. Track trusted sources. And above all, take a break for your mind and personal call but help the seniors of the houses to listen and stick to the right information not misleading one.

In the past fortnight, Indian media has demonstrated what a powerful tool the news is in driving not only talk, but shared sentiments; not a proud moment the NEWS Channel gave to us. It has the ability to unite, to awaken—but overwhelm as well. And as the country navigates more moment-defining times ahead, the actual test will be not merely the way events progress, but how we choose to react to them as aware, emotionally stable citizens.

Read carefully, think critically, and share responsibly.

In a landmark judgment that resonates with the pulse of our increasingly digital world, the Supreme Court of India has declared digital access a fundamental right, intrinsically linked to the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. This momentous decision, delivered on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, not only acknowledges the profound impact of technology on our lives, but also mandates the government to actively bridge the digital divide that continues to exclude significant portions of the population.

The ruling came in response to petitions filed by individuals facing severe challenges in accessing essential digital services due to their disabilities. The petitioners, including acid attack survivors with complete blindness, highlighted the discriminatory nature of digital Know Your Customer (KYC) processes that rely on features like live photographs requiring blinking – an impossible task for them.

The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, unequivocally stated that in this “contemporary era, where access to essential services, governance, education, healthcare and economic opportunities is increasingly mediated through digital platforms, the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution must be reinterpreted in light of these technological realities.”  

This insightful observation underscores the reality that in today’s world, being digitally excluded often translates to being excluded from fundamental aspects of life. The Court recognized that the “digital divide,” characterized by unequal access to digital infrastructure, skills, and content, perpetuates systemic exclusion not only of persons with disabilities but also of large sections of rural populations, senior citizens, economically weaker communities, and linguistic minorities.  

In a powerful affirmation of the principle of substantive equality, the judgment emphasized that digital transformation must be inclusive and equitable, catering to the diverse needs of all citizens. The Court issued a series of crucial directives to the central government, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and other regulatory authorities, demanding a comprehensive overhaul of existing digital frameworks:

• Revision of KYC Norms: The Court specifically ordered the revision of digital KYC guidelines to ensure alternative verification methods for individuals unable to meet requirements like blinking or facial movements. This includes the development of alternative formats such as Braille and voice-enabled services.
• Universal Accessibility: The judgment mandates that all digital services, whether provided by government or private entities, must be made accessible to persons with disabilities. This includes ensuring compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and other accessibility standards.
• Alternative Verification Methods: The authorities are directed to develop and implement alternative modes to verify “liveness” during KYC processes and to continue offering paper-based KYC as an accessible option.
• Appointment of Accessibility Nodal Officers: All regulated entities are now required to appoint accessibility nodal officers to oversee and ensure compliance with the new guidelines.
• Inclusive Design and Testing: The Court stressed the importance of involving individuals with disabilities, particularly those with blindness, in the pre-launch testing phases of digital platforms and features.
• Provision of Assistive Technologies: Authorities are instructed to procure software that provides options for sign language interpretation, closed captions, and audio descriptions for visually and hearing-impaired users.  

This landmark ruling signifies a paradigm shift in how India views digital access and a closer step towards the vision of ‘Digital India‘. It is no longer merely a matter of policy discretion but a constitutional imperative. By recognizing digital access as a fundamental right, the Supreme Court has paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable digital ecosystem, ensuring that the benefits of technological advancements reach every citizen, regardless of their abilities or circumstances. This judgment is a powerful step towards bridging the digital divide and truly empowering all individuals to participate fully in the digital age.

References:
1) https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/digital-access-intrinsic-to-right-to-life-sc-rules-101746037816159.html

2) https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/digital/digital-access-part-of-fundamental-right-to-life-and-liberty-says-sc/120814631

3) https://www.boomlive.in/law/supreme-court-digital-access-fundamental-right-differently-abled-inclusivity-28463

4) https://www-ndtv-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-landmark-order-supreme-court-says-digital-access-a-fundamental-right-8292719/amp/1

India celebrated its third Universal Acceptance (UA) Day on March 28, 2025, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Organized by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the event focused on the theme “Connecting the Unconnected – Building a Multilingual Internet for Viksit Bharat”.

India’s Digital Landscape: A Statistical Overview

• Internet Users: As of early 2024, India had approximately 751.5 million Internet users, representing an Internet penetration rate of 52.4%.
• Rural Internet Penetration: In 2024, rural areas accounted for 55% of India’s 886 million active internet users, highlighting significant growth in rural Internet adoption.
• Literacy Rates: The overall literacy rate in India stood at 77.7% in 2021, with male literacy at 84.7% and female literacy at 70.3%.
• Linguistic Diversity: India is home to 22 officially recognized languages and a total of 121 languages and 270 mother tongues, reflecting its vast linguistic diversity.

The Imperative for Universal Acceptance

Despite the substantial number of Internet users, a significant portion of India’s population faces barriers due to language constraints. The predominance of English in digital spaces limits access for non-English speakers, particularly in rural areas where digital literacy is still developing. Universal Acceptance aims to bridge this gap by ensuring that domain names and email addresses in local languages are universally recognized and functional across all Internet-enabled applications and systems.

Despite India’s initiatives toward Universal Acceptance (UA) and multilingual Internet, the real impact on the ground remains limited. The challenge isn’t just about enabling domain names or websites in different languages—it’s about ensuring that the people who actually need it know about it and can use it effectively.

1) Awareness Gap: Do People Even Know UA Exists?

• Most rural users still rely on intermediaries (cyber cafes, agents, or family members) to access digital services. Even though government websites now support 22 languages, a majority of users don’t even know about these options or how to navigate them.
  ➡ Example: A farmer wanting to apply for subsidies may not know that the PM-Kisan website is available in Hindi, Tamil, or Marathi. Instead, they depend on others, defeating the purpose of accessibility.
  
  2) Digital Literacy: Language Alone Won’t Solve the Problem
• Even if a website is available in a local language, many first-time users struggle with digital literacy—understanding how to use search functions, fill online forms, or verify information.
  ➡ Example: The government’s Bhashini initiative provides real-time translations, but how many people know how to enable or use it?
  
  3) Keyboards and Input Barriers
• Typing in regional languages remains a challenge. Many official Indian language keyboards are not user-friendly, and auto-suggestions often fail.
  ➡ Example: Someone trying to create an email in Bengali or Odia may struggle because their name in the local script is not recognized by major platforms.
  
  4) Policy vs. Execution: Are We Measuring Impact?
• While events like UA Day highlight India’s commitment to digital inclusivity, there is little public data on whether these efforts are truly helping.
  -How many people have actually started using email IDs in regional languages?
  -How many businesses have shifted to domain names in Indian scripts?
  -How many government services report an increase in non-English users?
  
  Without these metrics, UA risks becoming a symbolic effort rather than a transformative one.
  
  The Way Forward: Beyond Celebrations to Real Change
• Mass Awareness Campaigns – TV, radio, and grassroots efforts to teach people about multilingual internet.
• Simplified Digital Tools – Voice-based navigation like bhashini , better keyboards, and AI-powered assistance in Indian languages.
• Government Mandates with Accountability – Policies ensuring UA compliance in all digital services, with real-time tracking of adoption.
  
  UA can be a game-changer for India setting example at a global level—but only if it moves beyond technical implementation to real-world adoption. Otherwise, we risk celebrating progress that hasn’t yet reached the people who need it most.

For more information on Universal Acceptance and related initiatives, visit:

• NIXI Official Website: https://nixi.in/
• ICANN Universal Acceptance Initiative: https://uasg.tech/ua-day/

Note: The information provided is based on the latest available data as of April 3, 2025.
Reference:
1) https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2024-India
2) https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/indias-internet-user-base-to-surpass-900-million-by-2025-driven-by-rural-growth-report/articleshow/117304976.cms
3)https://www.noidabusinessguide.com/literacy-rate-in-india-2024/
4) https://akjoshischool.com/list-of-official-languages-of-indian-states-and-union-territories.html
5) https://uaday.in/
6) https://uasg.tech/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/UASG-FY23-Action-Plan.pdf

In an era where digital connectivity is increasingly recognized as a fundamental right, India’s frequent use of internet shutdowns has become a contentious issue. Reports indicate that India experienced 88 internet shutdowns due to communal violence between 2023 and 2024, which comprised all such shutdowns worldwide during that period. Since 2018, India has accounted for nearly 95% of global internet shutdowns linked to communal unrest, highlighting a stark trend in the country’s approach to managing digital access during times of social tension.

What Are Internet Shutdowns?

An internet shutdown is a government-enforced restriction that either fully blocks internet access or limits specific services, such as social media platforms. These shutdowns can vary in scope, affecting a few districts or entire states, and significantly disrupt the lives of millions of people.

The Data Behind India’s Shutdowns

A detailed examination of the state-wise breakdown of internet shutdowns in India due to protests in 2024 reveals concerning patterns:

• Manipur: Experienced 14 shutdowns, contributing significantly to the overall disruptions.
• Haryana: Saw numerous shutdowns primarily linked to communal tensions.
• Other States: Multiple shutdowns occurred across various regions, severely impacting businesses, education, and everyday communication.

India has become notorious for having the highest number of government-imposed internet shutdowns. Authorities often justify these shutdowns by citing concerns over law and order, despite the significant disruptions they cause to various sectors of society.ion, these disruptions come at a high social and economic cost.

The Human Cost of Internet Blackouts

Internet shutdowns present a significant challenge for students who rely on digital learning, businesses that depend on online transactions, and journalists covering sensitive events. These shutdowns restrict access to timely information, impede emergency responses, and infringe upon fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and access to knowledge.

A Global Perspective

While internet shutdowns are not unique to India and occur in multiple countries, the frequency and scale at which they are implemented in India are unmatched. The international community, including organizations such as Access Now and research teams from The Hindu, have expressed significant concerns regarding the high frequency and far-reaching implications of these shutdowns.

The Path Forward

There is an urgent need for transparent policies and viable alternatives to blanket internet shutdowns. Governments should consider measures such as content moderation, targeted restrictions, and enhanced cybersecurity enforcement to address concerns without completely severing digital access. As reliance on digital technologies increases, protecting the right to internet access is crucial for democracy, economic development, and societal advancement.

The discussion around India’s internet shutdowns should focus on long-term solutions that strike a balance between security concerns and citizens’ rights.