UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 24)

QUESTION 2

How will the digital regulatory framework, the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, govern India’s digital economy? Discuss.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: 2023 marks a decade of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). What was the idea behind the BRI and how did its goals evolve over the years? Also, comment on India’s view on BRI.

Introduction:

— President Xi Jinping first unveiled the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s ambitious infrastructure funding project, ten years ago this year. extending from Asia to Africa.

— The major focus has been to build ports, bridges, industry corridors and other infrastructure throughout South East Asia and the Indian Ocean.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Idea behind BRI and how did its goals evolve over the years

— The ‘Belt’ plan was to revitalise a series of trading and infrastructure routes between Asia and Europe. Connectivity through Central Asia was a key element of the initiative.

— China announced the ‘Road’ sea trade infrastructure. This maritime ‘Road’ would connect China to Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa via the sea.

— Initially, the BRI was based on five principles:

(1) policy coordination

(2) infrastructure connectivity

(3) trade

(4) financial integration

(5) people-to-people connections.

— Later, the sixth principle of ‘Industrial cooperation’ was also added.

— China wanted to address two major issues: capital surplus and industrial overcapacity. It was also about increasing Chinese political influence in other parts of the world.

— Originally, the initiative proposed six international Economic Corridors (EC):

(1) New Eurasia Land Bridge;

(2) China-Central Asia-West Asia-EC;

(3) China-Mongolia-Russia-EC,

(4) China-Indochina Peninsula-EC,

(5) China-Pakistan-EC (CPEC); and

(6) Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM)-EC

— A list of 35 major corridors/projects was released at the second BRI Forum in 2019. Because a large number of BRI projects are being implemented in nearly every region of the world, they have an impact on all major economies, even those that are not participating in the initiative.

How does India view the BRI?

— India has refrained from endorsing the BRI and has not taken part in any BRI Forums.

— India had reservations about the BRI – mainly due to sovereignty-related issues, as the CPEC goes through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and geopolitical implications of projects in the Indian Ocean.

— The importance of the Indian Ocean for China has increased significantly due to its expanding trade, energy transport and investments.

— It started expanding its footprints in India’s neighbourhood through investments in various ports in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Conclusion:

— Recently, China has also included several other subjects under the BRI-fold. It has envisioned a Digital Silk Road that will showcase its advances in hi-tech communication technologies, the Green Silk Road to reverse emissions and even a Polar Silk Road expanding the BRI to the Arctic.

— With Italy’s support, the BRI received a huge boost. The Belt refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt, which connects China, Central Asia, Russia, and Europe via three overland routes.

(Source: An Expert Explains | 10 years of China’s Belt and Road Initiative: The project, its aims and where it stands now by Gulshan Sachdeva, Explained: What next for China’s Belt and Road initiative)

Points to Ponder

Silk Route

CPEC

Related Previous Year Questions

‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’ In the light of the above statement point out the role of India in mitigating the problems. (2023)

China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’. In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. (2017)

With respect to the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China. (2014)

QUESTION 2: How will the digital regulatory framework, the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, govern India’s digital economy? Discuss.

Introduction:

— The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023 (DPDP) is the Indian Government’s second attempt at drafting privacy-related legislation.

— The main objective of the Data Bill is to regulate the processing of personal data along with ensuring a person the right to protect their data.

— The new bill has been welcomed by India Inc with many hailing it as a remarkable step towards ushering in India’s ‘techade’.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— The bill once enacted, the bill enables individuals (referred to as Data Principals) to govern their own personal (digital) data and will drive enterprises (referred to as Data Fiduciary) to process the personal data of individuals lawfully.

— The Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023 was passed by Parliament. This law was brought in by the government to govern the digital economy in India.

— The other elements of this bill are the draft India Telecommunication Bill 2022 and a policy to govern non-personal data.

— The extraterritorial coverage and enterprises based outside India serving individuals in India will also be expected to adhere to the provisions of this Bill.

— Businesses will need to reevaluate how they currently operate, particularly with regard to the personal information of individuals, including their workers, clients, suppliers, and merchants. This will allow them to respect the rights that people have, including the ability to access, amend, and delete their personal information.

— Non-adherence of obligations listed in the bill may attract sanctions and commercial penalty.

— The emphasis on free and informed consent reinforces citizens’ fundamental right to privacy.

— The DPDP Bill strikes an important balance in protecting users’ rights and promoting innovation in digital businesses. Its key business-friendly provisions include eliminating criminal penalties for non-compliance, facilitating international data transfers, etc.

— It also provides for a comprehensive set of rights guaranteed to data principals which aims to create a transparent and accountable data governance framework going forward.

Conclusion:

— The DPDP bill is seen as a significant milestone toward addressing the data protection concerns that have been a matter of contention for a long time.

— The creation of a data protection board reinforces the law by guaranteeing adherence, corrective action, and fines when required. Enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the entire process is the Board’s empowerment to act as a digital office, managing complaints, assigning cases, and reaching decisions through the use of techno-legal methods.

(Source: Digital Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, a much-needed legislation, says India Inc by Bijin Jose, Proposed digital regulatory framework changes could vest more discretion with Centre)

Points to Ponder

Advantages and Limitations of the bill

Data processing jurisdiction

Related Previous Year Questions

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children’s education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse. (2022)

Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss. (2017)

Discuss Section 66A of IT Act, with reference to its alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution. (2013)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 24)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 23)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 23)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 22)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 23)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 22)

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