Government asks ICANN to set up root servers in India

The Indian government has formally requested ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) to establish root servers within India's territory. Root servers are critical infrastructure that direct all internet traffic globally; currently, India relies on ICANN's international servers.

Context: Internet resilience and digital sovereignty have become strategic priorities post-COVID. India has 900+ million internet users, making it vulnerable to external disruptions. Root server localization ensures faster DNS resolution, reduced latency, and protection against cyberattacks targeting international infrastructure.

Key Facts: ICANN manages 13 root server systems globally; India currently has only one indirect server node. The move aligns with India's Digital India and 5G deployment strategies. Similar initiatives exist in China, Russia, and EU nations.

Why It Matters: This represents India's push toward digital autonomy and reducing dependence on Western-controlled internet infrastructure. It strengthens cybersecurity posture and aids fintech/e-commerce operations critical for $5 trillion economy target.

Exam Angle: Likely UPSC questions on digital sovereignty, ICANN's role, internet governance models (multi-stakeholder vs. state control), and India's infrastructure development strategy. Also relevant for tech policy, data localization laws (Data Protection Bill 2023), and NDS-WC framework.