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1. The Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) framework, launched in 2020 by the Department of Telecom, aims to improve internet access across India, particularly in rural areas, by enabling local businesses to set up Wi-Fi hotspots. As of November 2024, 246,993 hotspots have been installed. The initiative supports the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) 2018, which set a goal of 10 million public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022, though only 0.5 million were achieved. PM-WANI allows businesses to offer Wi-Fi without needing licenses or fees, fostering digital inclusion. The ecosystem includes Public Data Offices (PDOs) for connectivity, Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) for service management, and an App Provider for user registration and hotspot discovery. The Bharat 6G Vision aims for 50 million Wi-Fi hotspots by 2030, requiring significant growth and reduced connectivity costs.
2. India has made remarkable progress in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024, climbing 11 positions to secure the 49th rank, up from 60th in 2023. This advancement reflects significant improvements in the country’s digital infrastructure and capabilities. The Portulans Institute, which publishes the NRI, evaluates 133 economies based on four pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact. India’s score increased from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024, signaling substantial growth in digital metrics. Notable achievements include 1st rank globally in AI scientific publications, AI talent concentration, and ICT services exports. India also ranked 2nd in Fiber to the Premises (FTTH) internet subscriptions, mobile broadband traffic, and international internet bandwidth, while securing 3rd in domestic market scale and 4th in annual telecom investments. The country’s telecom sector has expanded significantly, with tele-density at 84.69% and 94.4 crore internet subscribers. The launch of 5G in 2022 enhanced mobile broadband speeds, with India aiming for telecom leadership through its Bharat 6G Vision.
3. The E-Daakhil portal, launched nationwide by the Department of Consumer Affairs, is now operational in all states and union territories, with its latest launch in Ladakh in November 2024. Launched on 7th September 2020 by the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, it provides an affordable, quick, and convenient way for consumers to file complaints online, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers can register via OTP on their mobile phones or emails, file complaints, pay fees, and track cases from home. To date, over 281,024 users have registered, with 198,725 cases filed and 38,453 resolved, addressing grievances like faulty products and financial disputes. The government is also developing e-Jagriti, a platform to further improve the filing and resolution of consumer cases, aiming to transform consumer justice in India.
4. The Ministry of Culture has established seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) across India to preserve, promote, and celebrate the country's diverse cultural heritage. These centers aim to conserve and disseminate various forms of arts and culture from different regions, organizing festivals such as the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, Octave, the Tribal Dance Festival, Adi Bimb, Adi Sapta Pallav, Adi Lok Rang, and Adiwasi Mahotsav. Tribal Research Institutes and the Tribal Research, Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE) work to conserve and promote tribal culture, artifacts, and traditions, while reputed organizations and universities conduct research on tribal culture and the challenges faced by these communities. The headquarters of the ZCCs are located in Patiala (North Zone), Thanjavur (South Zone), Nagpur (South Central Zone), Udaipur (West Zone), Prayagraj (North Central Zone), Kolkata (Eastern Zone), and Dimapur (North East Zone).
5. The Ministry of Women and Child Development recently launched the Bal Vivah Mukht Bharat Abhiyan, a national campaign aimed at eradicating child marriage in India, aligning with the country’s commitment to gender equality and its vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. A key feature of the campaign is the Child Marriage Free Bharat Portal, an online platform that allows citizens to report incidents of child marriage, file complaints, and access information about Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs). The launch coincides with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, running from 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10th December (Human Rights Day). The campaign specifically targets states with higher child marriage rates, such as West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Tripura, Assam, and Andhra Pradesh. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 sets the legal marriage age at 18 for women and 21 for men, while the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021 aims to raise the age of marriage for women to 21, in line with men. The POCSO Act ensures that men marrying girls below 14 years face charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and those marrying girls aged 14-18 are prosecuted under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. This campaign reflects broader efforts to promote girls’ education, empowerment, and gender equality, complementing initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.