🚨 UPSC EXAM NOTES presents the February edition of our comprehensive monthly guide. Access it  to enhance your preparation. We value your input - share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments section or via email at Support@upscexamnotes.com 🚨

Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on February 25, 2025

Daily Insights and Initiatives for UPSC Exam Notes: Comprehensive explanations and high-quality material provided regularly for students

Internet shutdowns highest in 2024 globally, India tops in government-ordered curbs

For Preliminary Examination:  Current events of naional and international importance

For Mains Examination: GS II - Governance

Context:

India did not impose the highest number of Internet shutdowns last year, with Myanmar seeing one additional disruption in 2024, according to a report by the advocacy body Access Now. However, the number of shutdowns imposed by the government in charge — the Union and State governments here — is still higher in India

Source: The Hindu

Read about:

Impact of British-Era Law on Internet Shutdowns in India

Is the Right to the Internet is a Fundamental right?

Key takeaways:

• India did not record the highest number of Internet shutdowns last year, as Myanmar experienced one more disruption in 2024, according to a report by the advocacy group Access Now. However, the combined number of shutdowns enforced by the Union and State governments in India remained higher.
• The frequency of Internet shutdowns in India decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year. The report highlighted that people across 16 States and Union Territories faced shutdowns, with officials in Manipur (21), Haryana (12), and Jammu & Kashmir (12) implementing the highest number of restrictions.
• Among the 84 shutdowns in India, 41 were linked to protests, while 23 were attributed to communal violence.
• On a global scale, Internet shutdowns reached an all-time high in 2024. A total of 296 shutdowns were recorded worldwide, with India accounting for 28% of them through its 84 restrictions.
• Myanmar imposed 85 shutdowns, while various entities enforced 11 others: China implemented two in Myanmar, Thailand enforced four, and the exiled National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) each imposed one in their respective territories. The origin of two additional shutdowns remained unknown, according to the report.
• Examination-related Internet restrictions have been a key concern for critics of such measures. In 2024, India implemented five shutdowns ahead of major exams.
• One of these occurred during the General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examinations in Jharkhand, lasting five and a half hours on the morning of September 22.
• Similarly, Assam enforced Internet shutdowns across multiple districts in the same month for government job examinations