The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 7th May 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Getting to a new level in India’s online gaming sector 

Why in News?

The Prime Minister’s vision to establish India as a prominent global gaming hub has received renewed attention as he engaged with seven of the top gamers in the country. Spending a day with them, in April 2024, he discussed the trajectory of the gaming industry and sought to understand the challenges they encounter, particularly on the nuanced distinction between skill gaming and gambling (game of chance) — it could pave the way for a more conducive and forward-looking regulatory environment.

About Online gaming industry  in India

• It is one of the major sunrise sectors of India. 
• It emerged in India in the mid-2000s with PC and console gaming platforms, but since the Covid-19 lockdown there has been a rapid surge in the gaming industry.
  • Increase in smartphone penetration along with better internet connectivity, rising disposable income of Indians, large youth population and easily available online payment methods are some of the factors that fuelled the fast expansion of the online gaming industry.

Types of Online Gaming

• e-Sports: These are video games that were played privately or on consoles in video game stores in the 1990s, but are currently played online in a structured manner between professional players, either individually or in teams.
• Fantasy sports: These are games in which the player selects a team of real sports players from several teams and earns points based on how well the players perform in real life. For example,Dream11.
• Online casual games:
  • These could be skill-based, where the outcome is heavily impacted by mental or physical skill or chance-based, where the outcome is heavily influenced by some randomised activity, such as rolling a die.
  • A game of chance may be considered as gambling if players bet money or anything of monetary value.

 Potential

• India is one of the largest gaming markets in the world. 
• The Indian gaming industry’s revenue stands at 3.1 billion dollars in the financial year 2023. 
• It is predominantly a home-grown start-up ecosystem growing at 27% CAGR. 
• It is widely estimated that AI and online gaming can add up to $300 billion to India’s GDP by 2026-27. 
• It  has the potential to thrive domestically and emerge as a formidable player on the global stage.
•  The coming years promise to define moments and transformative growth for India’s gaming narrative.

Challenges 

• The rise of online gaming has brought many concerns such as addiction, mental illness, suicides, financial frauds, privacy and data security concerns. 
• Money laundering and national security concerns are other realities. 
• The situation is further exacerbated by the growth of illegal offshore gambling and betting markets wherein the volume of digital transactions provides fertile ground for financial malpractices.
•  Insufficient regulation:No mechanism exists for individuals to differentiate between legitimate gaming platforms and illegal gambling/betting sites.
  • In addition, in the absence of a specialised regulatory authority, enforcement is lacking. 

Steps of Government 

• Some State governments attempt to ban online gaming.
  • However, the inherent cross-border nature of the Internet makes enforcing such a ban almost impossible, leading to the unintended consequence of legitimate, regulated platforms being replaced by unregulated and potentially harmful ones.
• In this context, The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has introduced various checks and balances through relevant amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 notified in April 2023. 
• The purpose of these amendments is to control the unabated and unwarranted negative impact of online gaming activities on users, especially children and other vulnerable sections of society.

Suggestions and Way ahead 

• The existing challenges call for an urgent need for robust regulation of the online gaming industry. 
• Establishing a strict regulatory framework is an urgent need, not just for protecting digital nagriks and national interests, but also to ensure responsible growth of the online gaming sector.
• India will have to quickly ramp up its de-addiction infrastructure to protect the youth from the harmful effects of online gaming. 
• This must also be supplemented with a massive public education programme in both rural and urban areas.

Why in News?

• The Supreme Court has expanded the scope of Articles 14 and 21 to include the right against the adverse effects of climate change. 

Background of the case:

• The recent judgement came on a petition by wildlife activists to protect the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), a critically endangered bird found only in Rajasthan and Gujarat. 

Protection of GIB and April 2021 verdict of SC

• In April 2021, the Supreme Court issued an order imposing restrictions on the establishment of overhead transmission lines within an area encompassing approximately 99,000 square kilometres. 
• The court proposed the conversion of existing overhead low and high voltage lines into underground power lines. 

Government’s Request for Amendment:

• Subsequently, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Ministry of Power, and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy approached the Supreme Court seeking a modification of its directives.  
• The government argued that adhering to the order would hinder India’s efforts to fulfil its global commitments to reduce carbon emissions, as many major solar and wind energy installations are located in the affected area.  

Modification of the Order:

• In March 2024, the Supreme Court revisited its earlier ruling and acknowledged the practical obstacles associated with its implementation.  
• These challenges included technical complexities, land acquisition issues, and high costs. In light of these considerations, the court modified its April 2021 order.  
• While doing so, the court emphasised the importance of climate change jurisprudence and underscored the need to balance the conservation of the GIB with promoting renewable energy and environmental preservation as a whole. 

Key highlights of the judgement: 

Pointed out technical challenges in implementing the April 2021 order

• The Supreme Court highlighted technical challenges associated with implementing the April 2021 order.  
• It noted that underground power transmission cables are currently available only in 400 KV with lengths of 250 meters.  
• This could result in more joints, leading to leaks, and transmission loss in such cables is about five times higher as they don’t efficiently transmit AC power.  
• Additionally, the Electricity Act does not contemplate the acquisition of land for laying underground cables, as overhead transmission lines require only the right of way. 

Formed a nine-member committee of experts 

• The Supreme Court established a nine-member committee of experts tasked with assessing the feasibility of undergrounding power lines in specific areas. It directed the committee to submit a report by July 31, 2024. 

Pointed out India’s commitment towards renewable energy:

• The court underscored India’s commitment to renewable energy, citing its goal to achieve an installed renewable energy capacity (excluding large hydro) of 175 GW by 2022, with a future goal of 450 GW installed capacity by 2030.  
• It emphasised that this commitment signifies the country’s dedication to clean energy adoption, framing it not only as a strategic energy goal but also as a fundamental necessity for environmental preservation. 

Highlighted the benefits of promotion of renewable energy: 

• The Supreme Court emphasised the socio-economic benefits of promoting renewable energy sources, noting that it plays a crucial role in promoting social equity by ensuring access to clean and affordable energy for all segments of society, especially in rural and underserved areas.  
• It further highlighted that this contributes to poverty alleviation, enhances quality of life, and fosters inclusive growth and development across the nation. 

India urgently needs to shift to solar power due to three impending issues:

• The court pointed out three impending issues necessitating India’s shift to solar power.  
• Firstly, it noted that India is expected to account for 25% of global energy demand growth over the next two decades, emphasising the need for enhanced energy security and self-sufficiency while mitigating environmental impacts.  
• Secondly, it highlighted the need to combat rampant air pollution caused by fossil fuels by transitioning to cleaner energy sources like solar.  
• Lastly, it emphasised the importance of diversifying energy sources in response to declining groundwater levels and decreasing annual rainfall, noting that solar power does not strain groundwater supplies like coal does. 

Climate change through the lens rights:

• The Supreme Court highlighted the intersection between climate change and human rights, emphasising the imperative for states to address climate impacts through the lens of rights.  
• It noted that the right to a healthy and clean environment is part of the duty of care, compelling states to take effective measures to mitigate climate change and ensure that all individuals have the necessary capacity to adapt to the climate crisis 

Highlighted the existing constitutional provisions and associated challenges:

• Article 48A of the Constitution provides that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. 
• Clause (g) of Article 51A stipulates that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures. 
• However, these are not justiciable provisions, they are mere indications that the Constitution recognises the importance of the natural world. 

Factors Affecting Climate Change:

Natural Factors:

1. Continental Drift: The movement of landmasses over extended periods modifies geographical features and climate by altering ocean currents and wind patterns.
2. Volcanism: Eruptions release gases and dust particles, partially obstructing sunlight and inducing cooling effects on weather.
3. Changes in Earth’s Orbit: Fluctuations in the planet's orbit impact the distribution of seasonal sunlight, triggering Milankovitch cycles and influencing climate.

Anthropogenic Factors:

1. Greenhouse Gases: Human activities lead to a rise in global surface temperature due to the absorption of heat radiation by gases.
2. Atmospheric Aerosols: Particles in the atmosphere scatter and absorb solar and infrared radiation, influencing temperature dynamics and cloud formation.
3. Shift in Land-Use Pattern: Human-induced alterations such as deforestation and land conversion for agriculture or industry modify energy absorption and moisture evaporation, consequently affecting albedo and temperature.

Expansion of Fundamental Rights:

• Article 21 acknowledges the right to life and personal liberty, while Article 14 ensures equality before the law and equal protection of laws.
• These provisions serve as crucial foundations for the inclusion of rights pertaining to a clean environment and protection against the adverse impacts of climate change.
• The realization of the right to life is inherently linked to a clean and stable environment, free from the disruptions caused by climate change.
• Factors like air pollution, changes in disease patterns, and extreme weather events directly affect the right to health, which falls under the ambit of Article 21.
• Inequitable access to resources and the inability of marginalized communities to adapt to climate change infringe upon both the right to life and the right to equality, as enshrined in Articles 21 and 14 respectively.

India’s Response to Climate Change:

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Outlines strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation, including eight core national missions emphasizing adaptation measures.
• National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF): Established in 2010 to support clean energy initiatives and research, funded by a cess on coal production, with subsequent increments in 2014.
• Paris Agreement Commitments: India pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 33-35% below 2005 levels by 2030, increase non-fossil fuel-based power capacity to 40%, and enhance carbon sinks through forest cover expansion.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): Formed in 2015 to promote solar energy adoption globally, led jointly by India and France.
• Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms: Introduced to regulate vehicle emissions, with successive norms introduced since 2000, culminating in the adoption of BS-VI norms in 2016 to align with international standards.