GS Notes

19. Science and Technology Notes 09

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Elaborate Notes

Issues and Challenges with Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale, offers revolutionary potential but also presents significant challenges. The term was popularized by K. Eric Drexler in his 1986 book, Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology, building on the conceptual foundations laid by physicist Richard Feynman in his 1959 lecture, “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom.”

  • Health and Safety Concerns:

    • Toxicity of Nanoparticles (Nanotoxicity): Due to their small size (typically 1-100 nanometers), nanoparticles can easily enter the human body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Their high surface-area-to-volume ratio makes them highly reactive.
    • Examples: Studies have shown that certain carbon nanotubes can exhibit asbestos-like pathogenicity, potentially causing inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs. Silver nanoparticles, used in consumer products for their antimicrobial properties, have raised concerns about their long-term effects on human cells and beneficial gut bacteria.
    • Mechanism: Nanoparticles can cross cellular and biological barriers (like the blood-brain barrier), potentially leading to oxidative stress, DNA damage, and protein misfolding. The Royal Society’s 2004 report, Nanoscience and nanotechnologies: opportunities and uncertainties, was one of the first major inquiries to highlight these potential health risks.

  • Misuse of Nanotechnology:

    • Military Applications: The development of nano-weapons, such as miniature autonomous drones (nano-drones) for surveillance or targeted attacks, raises ethical and security concerns. Nanomaterials are also being developed to create stronger, lighter body armor and more potent explosives. The concept of “grey goo,” a hypothetical end-of-the-world scenario involving self-replicating nanobots consuming all biomass, as described by Drexler, though speculative, highlights the extreme end of misuse concerns.
    • Gene Editing and Designer Babies: The convergence of nanotechnology with biotechnology, particularly CRISPR-Cas9, could enable precise genetic modifications. While this holds promise for curing genetic diseases, it also opens the door to non-therapeutic enhancements, leading to the controversial concept of “designer babies.” This raises profound ethical questions about human enhancement, equality, and the definition of ‘natural’.

  • Regulatory Challenges:

    • Novelty and Complexity: Regulators face the challenge of classifying and assessing the risks of materials whose properties at the nanoscale can differ significantly from their bulk counterparts. Existing regulatory frameworks, designed for conventional chemicals, may be inadequate.
    • Pacing Problem: Technology development often outpaces the development of corresponding regulations. There is an ongoing debate on whether to create entirely new regulations for nanomaterials or adapt existing ones. For instance, the EU’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation has been adapted to include specific provisions for nanomaterials.

  • Environmental Concerns:

    • Ecotoxicity: The release of engineered nanoparticles into the environment—via industrial wastewater, consumer product degradation, or accidental spills—poses a threat to ecosystems.
    • Bioaccumulation: Nanoparticles can be absorbed by microorganisms at the base of the food chain (like algae and plankton) and become concentrated in higher organisms, a process known as biomagnification. The long-term effects on soil health, aquatic life, and overall biodiversity are not yet fully understood. For example, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles, common in sunscreens, have been shown to be harmful to coral reefs.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is a broad field encompassing various converging technologies.

  • Framework Overview:
    • 5G and Computing: The fifth generation of wireless technology (5G) is characterized by high speed, low latency, and massive connectivity. It is an enabler for technologies like Cloud Computing (on-demand delivery of IT resources over the internet) and Edge Computing (processing data closer to the source of generation to reduce latency).
    • Advanced Computing: This includes Supercomputers for complex simulations (e.g., India’s PARAM series), Quantum Computers that leverage quantum-mechanical phenomena like superposition and entanglement to solve problems intractable for classical computers, and Quantum Communication, which uses quantum principles for ultra-secure communication (e.g., through Quantum Key Distribution - QKD).
    • Distributed Ledger and Internet: Blockchain is a decentralized, immutable digital ledger, most famously used for Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Key internet-related concepts include Satellite-based Internet (e.g., SpaceX’s Starlink) aimed at providing global broadband, the Dark Web (an overlay network accessible only with specific software), and Net Neutrality (the principle that internet service providers should treat all data on the internet equally).
    • Intelligence and Automation: Artificial Intelligence (AI) involves creating systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. Robotics is the design and construction of robots.
    • Governance: Data Protection involves policies and procedures seeking to minimize intrusion into one’s privacy caused by the collection and dissemination of personal data.

Communication

Communication is the process of transmitting information from a source to a destination. Modern communication relies on the principles of electromagnetic waves.

  • Electromagnetic Waves:

    • Historical Context: The nature of light was a subject of intense scientific debate.
      • Newton’s Corpuscular Theory: In his work Opticks (1704), Sir Isaac Newton proposed that light consists of tiny particles or “corpuscles.”
      • Huygens’ Wave Theory: Christiaan Huygens, in his Traité de la Lumière (1690), argued that light propagates as a wave through a hypothetical medium called “luminiferous ether.”
      • Maxwell’s Unification: James Clerk Maxwell, through his set of equations published in “A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field” (1865), demonstrated that electricity, magnetism, and light were all manifestations of the same phenomenon: the electromagnetic field. He proved that light is a self-propagating electromagnetic wave that does not require any medium. This theory was experimentally confirmed by Heinrich Hertz in the late 1880s. The Michelson-Morley experiment of 1887 famously failed to detect the ether, delivering a decisive blow to the ether theory and paving the way for Einstein’s theory of relativity.
    • Nature of EM Waves: An EM wave consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of wave propagation. The changing magnetic field induces an electric field, and the changing electric field induces a magnetic field, allowing the wave to propagate through a vacuum.

  • Properties of Waves:

    • Wavelength (λ): The spatial period of the wave—the distance over which the wave’s shape repeats.
    • Frequency (f): The number of oscillations or cycles that occur per unit of time (measured in Hertz, Hz).
    • Speed (v): The speed at which the wave propagates. For electromagnetic waves in a vacuum, this is the speed of light, denoted by ‘c’ (approximately 3 x 10⁸ m/s). The relationship is given by the formula: c = λf. This implies an inverse relationship between wavelength and frequency.
    • Energy: The energy of an EM wave is directly proportional to its frequency. Max Planck, in 1900, quantized this relationship with the formula E = hf, where ‘E’ is the energy of a single photon, ‘f’ is the frequency, and ‘h’ is Planck’s constant.

  • The Electromagnetic Spectrum: This is the range of all types of EM radiation. The spectrum is ordered by wavelength/frequency, from longest wavelength (lowest frequency/energy) to shortest wavelength (highest frequency/energy): Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-rays, and Gamma rays. The visible spectrum, the portion perceivable by the human eye, ranges from approximately 380 nm (violet) to 740 nm (red).

Li-Fi (Light Fidelity)

Li-Fi is a wireless communication technology that utilizes the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to transmit data. The term was coined by Professor Harald Haas in a 2011 TED Global talk.

  • Working Principle: It is a form of Visible Light Communication (VLC). Li-Fi works by modulating the intensity of light from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) at extremely high speeds, undetectable to the human eye. A photodetector on the receiving device (e.g., a laptop or smartphone) detects these minute changes in light intensity and decodes them back into data.
  • Advantages:
    • High Speed: Li-Fi can theoretically achieve speeds over 100 Gbps, significantly faster than conventional Wi-Fi.
    • Security: Since light cannot penetrate opaque objects like walls, the network is confined to a specific physical area, making it more secure from external hacking.
    • No Electromagnetic Interference: As it uses light rather than radio waves, Li-Fi can be used in environments sensitive to electromagnetic interference, such as aircraft cabins, hospitals, and nuclear power plants.
    • Bandwidth: The visible light spectrum is about 10,000 times larger than the entire radio frequency spectrum, offering vast, unlicensed bandwidth.
  • Challenges:
    • Limited Coverage and Line-of-Sight: Li-Fi signals cannot pass through walls, limiting its range to a single room. It also requires a direct line of sight between the transmitter (LED bulb) and the receiver.
    • Interference: Other light sources, particularly sunlight, can interfere with the signal and reduce performance.
    • Uplink Challenge: While downloading data via light is straightforward, sending data back (uplink) from the device is more complex and often requires a different technology (e.g., infrared or a slower radio frequency link).

Key Terms Associated with Communication Technology

  • Signal: Information converted into an electrical form suitable for transmission.

    • Analog Signal: A continuous signal in which a time-varying quantity (like voltage or current) represents a time-varying variable. Examples include human voice, sound from a vinyl record, and traditional television broadcasts.
    • Digital Signal: A signal that is represented by a sequence of discrete values, typically binary (0s and 1s). It is non-continuous and more resistant to noise. All modern computing and communication are based on digital signals. The ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is a character encoding standard for electronic communication.

  • Noise: Any unwanted electrical or electromagnetic energy that degrades the quality of a signal. It can be generated by atmospheric disturbances, other electronic devices, or thermal agitation in components.

  • Attenuation: The gradual loss of signal strength (amplitude) as it propagates through a transmission medium. Attenuation is a primary reason for the limited range of a signal and is compensated for using amplifiers or repeaters.

  • Amplification: The process of increasing the strength (amplitude) of a signal to counter the effects of attenuation. Amplifiers are electronic devices used for this purpose.

  • Range: The maximum distance between a transmitter and a receiver over which the signal can be received with sufficient clarity and strength for its intended purpose.

  • Bandwidth: The range of frequencies within a given band used for signal transmission. In digital systems, it refers to the data transfer rate (measured in bits per second).

    • Medium Comparison: Different media have different bandwidth capacities.
      • Copper Cables (Twisted Pair): Low bandwidth, susceptible to interference.
      • Coaxial Cable: Higher bandwidth than twisted pair.
      • Optical Fibre: Extremely high bandwidth. This is achieved because light signals travel through the glass/plastic core via Total Internal Reflection (TIR), a principle where light reflects completely off the internal walls of the core with minimal loss of energy or distortion. The pioneering work of Charles K. Kao in the 1960s on light transmission in fibre optics earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009.

Modulation

Modulation is the process of superimposing a low-frequency information signal (the message or baseband signal) onto a high-frequency carrier wave for efficient transmission.

  • Need for Modulation:
    1. Practical Antenna Size: The size of an antenna needs to be comparable to the wavelength of the signal it transmits/receives. Low-frequency signals have very long wavelengths, requiring impractically large antennas. Modulation shifts the signal to a higher frequency (shorter wavelength), allowing for smaller, practical antennas.
    2. Long-Distance Transmission: Low-frequency signals lose power rapidly and cannot travel long distances. High-frequency carrier waves can travel much farther.
    3. Avoiding Signal Mixing: Without modulation, signals from different sources transmitted in the same frequency range would interfere with each other. Modulation allows different signals to be assigned unique carrier frequencies (as in radio station tuning), preventing interference.
  • Demodulation: The reverse process at the receiver, where the original information signal is extracted from the carrier wave.
  • Types of Modulation:
    • Amplitude Modulation (AM): The amplitude (strength or intensity) of the high-frequency carrier wave is varied in proportion to the instantaneous amplitude of the message signal. The frequency and phase of the carrier remain constant. It is used in AM radio broadcasting.
    • Frequency Modulation (FM): The frequency of the carrier wave is varied in proportion to the message signal’s amplitude. The amplitude and phase of the carrier remain constant. FM is less susceptible to noise than AM and is used for high-fidelity music broadcasts.
    • Phase Modulation (PM): The phase of the carrier wave is varied to represent the message signal. It is closely related to frequency modulation and is used in many digital communication systems.

Prelims Pointers

  • Nanotechnology deals with matter at the scale of 1-100 nanometers.
  • Nanotoxicity refers to the adverse health effects of nanoparticles due to their size and high reactivity.
  • Luminiferous ether was a hypothetical medium for light wave propagation, disproved by the Michelson-Morley experiment (1887).
  • James Clerk Maxwell proved that light is an electromagnetic wave that requires no medium for propagation.
  • Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
  • The speed of light in a vacuum (c) is approximately 3 x 10⁸ m/s.
  • The relationship between speed (c), frequency (f), and wavelength (λ) is c = fλ.
  • The energy of a photon is given by Planck’s equation: E = hf, where h is Planck’s constant.
  • The electromagnetic spectrum in order of increasing frequency (decreasing wavelength): Radio, Microwave, Infrared, Visible, UV, X-ray, Gamma ray.
  • Visible light wavelength range is approximately 380 nm to 740 nm.
  • Li-Fi stands for Light Fidelity; it is a type of Visible Light Communication (VLC) using LEDs.
  • Analog Signal: A continuous wave representing information.
  • Digital Signal: A discrete signal representing information in binary form (0s and 1s).
  • ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange.
  • Attenuation: The loss of signal strength over distance.
  • Bandwidth: The frequency range of a signal or the data-carrying capacity of a channel.
  • Optical Fibres work on the principle of Total Internal Reflection (TIR) and offer the highest bandwidth.
  • Modulation: The process of superimposing a low-frequency information signal onto a high-frequency carrier wave.
  • Types of Modulation: Amplitude Modulation (AM), Frequency Modulation (FM), and Phase Modulation (PM).

Mains Insights

  • Nanotechnology: The Double-Edged Sword:

    • Cause-Effect: The unique properties of nanomaterials (e.g., high reactivity, ability to cross biological barriers) are the cause of both their revolutionary applications (in medicine, electronics, materials science) and their significant health and environmental risks (nanotoxicity).
    • Historiographical Viewpoint: The narrative around nanotechnology has shifted from the purely optimistic vision of early proponents like Eric Drexler to a more cautious approach that emphasizes responsible development. This has led to the rise of concepts like the “precautionary principle,” which suggests that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm, the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on those taking the action.
    • Debate: The central debate is one of risk vs. reward. How can society harness the immense benefits of nanotechnology while creating robust regulatory frameworks to mitigate its potential harm? This involves ethical considerations in applications like nano-robotics for surveillance or genetic engineering.

  • ICT and Societal Transformation:

    • Bridging the Digital Divide: Technologies like 5G and satellite internet (Starlink) have the potential to connect remote and underserved populations, promoting inclusive growth. However, this also raises questions of affordability and digital literacy. Without addressing these, such technologies could paradoxically widen the digital divide.
    • Net Neutrality Debate: This is a crucial policy debate. Proponents argue it is essential for maintaining a level playing field for startups, ensuring freedom of speech, and preventing ISPs from becoming gatekeepers of information. Opponents argue that a tiered internet could spur investment in infrastructure.
    • Data as the New Oil: Privacy and Security: The explosion of data generated by ICT has made data protection a critical governance issue. The analysis should connect this to the Indian context, citing the Supreme Court’s Puttaswamy judgment (2017) which declared the Right to Privacy a fundamental right, and the subsequent efforts to pass a comprehensive data protection law. The rise of the Dark Web and cyber-crime highlights the security dimension of this transformation.

  • The Evolution of Communication and its Implications:

    • Bandwidth as a Strategic Resource: The shift from copper wires to optical fibres and from 4G to 5G is driven by an insatiable demand for bandwidth. This demand is fueled by the data-intensive nature of the modern economy (video streaming, cloud computing, IoT). Bandwidth is no longer just a technical specification; it is a critical infrastructure for economic competitiveness and national security.
    • Technology Trade-offs: There is no single “best” communication technology. The choice involves trade-offs. For example, Wi-Fi offers mobility and convenience over a wide area, while Li-Fi offers superior speed and security but is limited by range and line-of-sight. Mains answers should demonstrate an understanding of these nuances, suggesting context-specific solutions (e.g., using Li-Fi in secure corporate environments or hospitals).

Previous Year Questions

Prelims

  1. With reference to visible light communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct? (UPSC CSE 2020)

    1. VLC uses an electromagnetic spectrum of wavelengths 375 to 780 nm.
    2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless communication.
    3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth.
    4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 2, 3 and 4 only

    Answer: (c)

    • Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as VLC uses the visible light spectrum (approx. 375-780 nm). Statement 2 is incorrect; VLC (including Li-Fi) is a short-range technology as light cannot penetrate walls. Statement 3 is correct; VLC can achieve much higher data rates than Bluetooth. Statement 4 is correct as light waves do not cause electromagnetic interference with radio frequency devices.

  2. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (UPSC CSE 2020)

    1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units.
    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs.
    3. Disease diagnosis.
    4. Text-to-Speech Conversion.
    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 4 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

    Answer: (b) (Note: UPSC’s official key was (b), but with advancements in Generative AI like GPT-3/4, statement 2 is now very much possible. At the time of the exam, it was debatable. This reflects the rapid pace of tech development.)

    • Explanation: AI is widely used for optimization problems like reducing energy consumption (1), in medical diagnostics (3), and for text-to-speech conversion (4). Creating truly “meaningful” stories and songs was nascent in 2020 (2). Wireless transmission of energy (5) is a field of physics/engineering, not directly an AI task.

  3. Which of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned? (UPSC CSE 2022) (a) Cloud Services (b) Quantum Computing (c) Visible Light Communication Technologies (d) Wireless Communication Technologies

    Answer: (b)

    • Explanation: A “qubit,” or quantum bit, is the basic unit of quantum information in quantum computing. Unlike a classical bit (0 or 1), a qubit can exist in a superposition of both states simultaneously.

  4. Consider the following communication technologies: (UPSC CSE 2022)

    1. Closed-circuit Television
    2. Radio Frequency Identification
    3. Wireless Local Area Network

    Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/technologies? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

    Answer: (d)

    • Explanation: All three are short-range technologies. CCTV is wired but operates over a limited, closed area. RFID operates over very short distances (centimeters to meters). WLAN (Wi-Fi) operates within a limited range of a few meters to about 100 meters.

  5. With reference to “Blockchain Technology”, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2020)

    1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls.
    2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only.
    3. Applications that depend on basic features of a blockchain can be developed without anybody’s permission.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 only (d) 1 and 3 only

    Answer: (d)

    • Explanation: Statement 1 is the core definition of a public blockchain. Statement 2 is incorrect; blockchain has applications beyond cryptocurrency, such as supply chain management, voting systems, and smart contracts. Statement 3 is correct; public, permissionless blockchains (like Ethereum) allow anyone to build applications on them.

Mains

  1. What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What are the different approaches to vaccine design? (UPSC CSE 2022, GS III)

    • Answer Synopsis: While this question is from biotech, the principles of technology development are relevant. An answer would first explain the principle of inducing active acquired immunity by introducing antigens. Then, it would detail the mechanism of how the immune system (B-cells, T-cells) responds to produce memory cells. Finally, it would elaborate on different vaccine platforms like live-attenuated, inactivated, toxoid, subunit, conjugate, and newer platforms like mRNA (Pfizer, Moderna) and viral vector (Covishield/AstraZeneca) vaccines, providing examples for each.

  2. “The introduction of nano-technology in the health sector has the potential to revolutionize disease diagnosis and treatment.” Elaborate on this statement, discussing both the opportunities and the ethical challenges involved. (UPSC Style Question, GS III)

    • Answer Synopsis:
      • Introduction: Define nanotechnology and its application in medicine (nanomedicine).
      • Opportunities in Diagnosis: Discuss nano-sensors for early detection of biomarkers, quantum dots for medical imaging with higher precision, and lab-on-a-chip devices.
      • Opportunities in Treatment: Explain targeted drug delivery systems using nanoparticles to deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, minimizing side effects. Mention nano-robots for surgery and tissue repair.
      • Ethical Challenges: Discuss nanotoxicity and long-term health safety concerns. Address issues of equitable access (cost), potential for misuse in genetic enhancement, and privacy concerns if nano-sensors are used for internal monitoring.
      • Conclusion: Conclude by emphasizing the need for a robust regulatory framework and public discourse to navigate the ethical landscape and ensure that the benefits of nanomedicine are realized safely and equitably.

  3. What do you understand by 5G technology and its potential impact on India’s digital economy? Discuss the challenges associated with its deployment in India. (UPSC Style Question, GS III)

    • Answer Synopsis:
      • Introduction: Define 5G as the 5th generation mobile network, highlighting its key features: high bandwidth, low latency, and massive machine-type communications.
      • Potential Impact: Explain how 5G can act as a force multiplier for the digital economy. Discuss its role in enabling IoT (smart cities, smart agriculture), advanced manufacturing (Industry 4.0), telemedicine, autonomous vehicles, and enhancing AR/VR experiences.
      • Deployment Challenges in India:
        • Infrastructure: High cost of spectrum, need for dense fiberization (laying optical fibre), and a large number of cell towers.
        • Economic: High capital expenditure for telecom companies, and concerns about the affordability of 5G services and compatible devices for the masses.
        • Regulatory: Issues related to spectrum allocation, right-of-way permissions for infrastructure, and security concerns (especially regarding hardware from certain countries).
        • Technical: Lack of strong domestic manufacturing for 5G equipment.
      • Conclusion: Summarize by stating that while 5G holds immense promise, its successful and inclusive deployment requires a concerted effort from government, industry, and regulators to overcome the existing hurdles.

  4. The Right to Privacy has been declared a fundamental right by the Supreme Court. In the context of the digital age, what are the key threats to this right and what legislative and technological measures are needed to safeguard it? (UPSC Style Question, GS II)

    • Answer Synopsis:
      • Introduction: Start by citing the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) vs. Union of India (2017) case.
      • Threats in the Digital Age: Discuss state surveillance (e.g., CCTV networks, data collection), corporate data mining by tech giants, social media profiling, cybercrimes (phishing, identity theft), and the proliferation of IoT devices that collect personal data.
      • Legislative Measures: Emphasize the need for a comprehensive Data Protection Law (mentioning key principles like data minimization, purpose limitation, and consent). Discuss the role of a strong Data Protection Authority.
      • Technological Measures: Discuss the importance of promoting technologies like end-to-end encryption, privacy-by-design principles in software development, and user education about digital hygiene (strong passwords, VPNs).
      • Conclusion: Conclude that protecting the Right to Privacy requires a multi-pronged approach that balances security imperatives and innovation with individual rights through a robust legal and technological framework.

  5. Examine the significance of Net Neutrality in fostering a democratic and innovative internet ecosystem. What are the key arguments for and against its implementation? (UPSC Style Question, GS III)

    • Answer Synopsis:
      • Introduction: Define Net Neutrality as the principle that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must treat all data on the internet equally, without discriminating or charging differently based on user, content, website, platform, or application.
      • Significance (Arguments For): Explain how it ensures a level playing field for startups to compete with established giants. Argue that it protects freedom of speech by preventing ISPs from blocking or slowing down content they disagree with. It fosters innovation by allowing new services to emerge without seeking permission or paying extra fees to ISPs.
      • Arguments Against: Present the viewpoint of some ISPs who argue that the ability to charge for prioritized services (fast lanes) would incentivize them to invest more in upgrading their network infrastructure. They also argue that it would allow them to better manage network congestion.
      • India’s Stance: Briefly mention that India, through TRAI regulations, has strongly supported Net Neutrality.
      • Conclusion: Conclude that while infrastructure investment is important, the overwhelming consensus in many democracies, including India, is that the principles of openness and non-discrimination underpinning Net Neutrality are crucial for preserving the internet as a public utility and an engine of economic and social progress.

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