20 years of RTI Act, 2005

For Prelims: Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, Official Secrets Act (OSA), 1923, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, Chief Election Commissioner, Central Information Commission, RTI Amendment Act, 2019, Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, CERT-In, Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014, DigiLocker.                                               

For Mains: Key facts about the RTI Act, 2005, challenges limiting its effectiveness, and strategies for strengthening its implementation. 

Source: ET 

Why in News?

As the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 completes 20 years of implementation in October 2025, a study has highlighted significant gaps in its functioning, exposing a transparency system under severe strain. 

What are Key Facts About the RTI Act, 2005? 

• About: Enacted in 2005, the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 seeks to enable citizens to freely access information held by public authorities. 
  • It was designed to promote openness in government operations, strengthen accountability, and advance the principles of good governance across public institutions. 
  • Shahid Raza Burney’s RTI in Pune was the first one to be filed under the law. 
• Core Components: The Act applies to all levels of government, including central, state, and local bodies. 
  • Section 8(2) permits disclosure when public interest outweighs confidentiality, and Section 22 ensures the RTI Act, 2005 takes precedence over any inconsistencies with other laws. 
• Exemptions: Despite anything contained in the RTI Act, 2005 citizens are not entitled to information that could harm India’s sovereignty, integrity, security, strategic, scientific, or economic interests, affect relations with other countries, or incite an offence. 
• Right to Information (Amendment) Act, 2019: Originally under the RTI Act, 2005, the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners served for 5 years or until age 65, whichever is earlier and their salary and terms of service matched those of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.  
  • However, the 2019 amendment changed this, giving the Central Government the power to set their term of office, salaries, allowances, and terms of service.  
• Achievement of RTI Act, 2005: It has enhanced accountability in public fund use, enabling citizens to access MGNREGA expenditures, PDS records, and local development projects, reducing leakages and misuse.  
  • It has exposed high-profile scams like the Adarsh Society, 2G spectrum, and Commonwealth Games, while instilling a culture of accountability among public officials aware their actions are subject to public scrutiny. 

What Are the Key Challenges Facing the RTI Act, 2005? 

• Considerable Delays: In most Information Commissions (ICs), the waiting time to resolve a matter exceeds one year. In some states, the delays are extreme, with Telangana estimated at 29 years and 2 months and Tripura at 23 years. 
• Vacant Positions: Between 2023 and 2024, six Information Commissions were completely defunct for varying periods due to the non-appointment of new commissioners.  
  • Currently, the Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh commissions are defunct, while the Central Information Commission (CIC), Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh commissions function without a Chief Information Commissioner. 
• Erosion via Legislative Changes: The RTI Amendment Act, 2019 reduced Information Commissioners’ autonomy by giving the Central Government power to set their tenure and salaries.  
  • The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 amended Section 8(1), exempting all personal information from disclosure, including that of public officials. 
• Expansion of Exemptions: Government departments frequently deny information under the RTI, invoking national security provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. For example, agencies like RAW, IB, and CERT-In are exempt under the Second Schedule of the RTI Act, 2005. 
• Threats to RTI Activists: RTI activists face harassment and violence, deterring citizens from exposing corruption. Many have been attacked or killed, while protections under the Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014 remain weakly implemented. 

What Reforms are Needed to Ensure Transparency in the RTI Framework? 

• Strengthening Information Commissions: Ensure timely appointments of IC through a transparent, time-bound process and provide commissions with adequate staff, technology, and infrastructure.  
  • Establish performance benchmarks per commissioner to efficiently reduce case backlogs. 
• Integrating Technology: AI chatbots and automated assistants can help citizens draft RTI applications, while blockchain ensures data authenticity.  
  • Integrating RTI portals with DigiLocker and real-time tracking can improve access and monitoring of requests.  
• Strict Adherence to the Law: Enforce mandatory proactive disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act, 2005 and impose penalties on Public Information Officers (PIOs) for wrongful denials or delays to strengthen RTI enforcement. Ensure Information Commissions submit timely Annual Reports under Section 25 RTI Act, 2005 to maintain transparency and accountability. 
• Protection of RTI Activists: Fully implement the Whistleblower Protection Act, 2014 with anonymous complaints and emergency safeguards, and fast-track courts should handle cases of attacks on RTI activists.  
  • Establish district-level helplines, support cells, and legal aid funds through government-civil society partnerships to protect activists. 
• Partial Reinstatement of Autonomy: The appointment process should include parliamentary oversight instead of being left to executive discretion, and periodic reviews by the Supreme Court and High Courts can strengthen independence. 

Conclusion 

Two decades after its enactment, the RTI Act, 2005 faces systemic challenges including vacancies, excessive delays, weakened autonomy, and threats to activists. Strengthening Information Commissions, enforcing penalties, integrating technology, and protecting RTI activists are critical to restoring the law’s transparency, accountability, and democratic governance objectives. 

Drishti Mains Question:

The Right to Information Act, 2005 was a watershed moment for Indian democracy, but its implementation is plagued by challenges. Critically examine the major constraints hindering its performance and suggest remedial measures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What is the RTI Act, 2005? 
The RTI Act, 2005 empowers citizens to access information held by public authorities, promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. 

2. How did the RTI Amendment Act, 2019 affect Information Commissioners? 
The 2019 amendment gave the Central Government power to determine tenure, salaries, and terms of service, reducing the autonomy of Information Commissioners. 

3. How does the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 impact the RTI Act? 
The DPDP Act amended Section 8(1) of the RTI Act, exempting all personal information from disclosure, which can restrict the transparency of public officials' actions. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)   

Mains 

Q. The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability.” Discuss. (2018)

Empowering Farmers through Skill Development

Source: PIB 

Why in News?  

With two-thirds of India’s population dependent on agriculture, empowering farmers through skill development has become a priority. The government is prioritizing skill development to boost farmers' productivity and ensure sustainable growth. 

What are the Key Initiatives Focusing on Agricultural Skill Development? 

• Institutional Platforms for Farmer Training: 
  • Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs): ICAR-established district-level KVKs providing hands-on training; trained 58.02 lakh farmers (2021–2024) and 18.56 lakh till February 2025. 
  • Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA): ATMA promotes decentralised extension reforms; trained 1.27 crore farmers (2021–2025) through state-led training, demonstrations, and exposure visits.

• Skilling Rural Youth and Promoting Mechanisation:  
  • Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY): Provides short-term vocational training in allied sectors; 43,000 youth trained (2021–2024), building skilled rural manpower. 
  • Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM): SMAM promotes farm mechanisation and custom hiring services; trained 57,139 farmers (2021–2025). 

• Strengthening Knowledge on Soil, Resources, and Value Chains: 
  • Soil Health Card Scheme: Distributed 25.17 crore cards (as of July 2025); conducted 93,000+ training and 6.8 lakh demonstrations, promoting balanced nutrient management. 
  • Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): Over 10,000 registered, offering training on agri-business, market linkages, and use of digital platforms like e-NAM and GeM. 
• Sector-Specific Skilling Initiatives: 
  • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 4.0) enhances farmers’ employability through large-scale agricultural skill training and certification. 
    • It integrates agriculture skills, training 1.64 crore and certifying 1.29 crore individuals since 2015. 
  • Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) promotes scientific horticulture practices for improved productivity and income. 
    • The mission trained 9.73 lakh farmers (2014–2024) in horticulture practices. 
  • Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) focuses on improving livestock quality through training in breeding and artificial insemination. 
    • It trained 38,736 technicians in artificial insemination and livestock breeding. 
  • Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) strengthens the agro-processing sector to reduce wastage and increase farmers’ income. 
    • The scheme approved 1,601 agro-processing projects, benefiting 34 lakh farmers.

Click here to Read: 7 New Schemes to Boost Farmer Income 

Agriculture Related Findings (Economic Survey 2024-25) 

• Agricultural Growth: Agriculture sector grew at 5% annually (2016-23), with GVA share rising from 24.38% (2014-15) to 30.23% (2022-23). 
  • Agricultural income has grown at 5.23% annually over the past decade. 
• Sectoral Performance: The fisheries sector had the highest growth rate (13.67%), followed by livestock (12.99%) between 2013-14 and 2022-23, while oilseeds grew slowly at 1.9%. 
• Irrigation Coverage: It increased from 49.3% (2015-16) to 55% (2020-21) of Gross Cropped Area (GCA), while irrigation intensity rose from 144.2% to 154.5%. 
  • Punjab (98%), Haryana (94%), Uttar Pradesh (84%), and Telangana (86%) have high irrigation coverage, while Jharkhand and Assam have below 20%. 
    • GCA is the total land cultivated in an agricultural year, including multiple cropping cycles on the same land. 

Drishti Mains Question: 

Empowering farmers through skill development and training is vital for transforming Indian agriculture from subsistence to enterprise-driven growth. Discuss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q1.What is the Soil Health Card Scheme? 
Provides farmers with detailed soil nutrient status reports and fertilizer recommendations to improve crop productivity and soil health. 

Q2. What are the main institutional platforms and schemes for agricultural skill development in India? 
VKS (Village Knowledge Centres), ATMA (Agricultural Technology Management Agency), PMKVY 4.0 (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0), and PMKSY — key schemes training millions in modern farming and agri-entrepreneurship. 

Q3.What opportunities do mechanisation and rural skilling create for farmers and youth? 
SMAM (Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization) and STRY (Skill Training of Rural Youth) promote mechanisation and vocational skills, enabling rural employment and productivity gains.  

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims:

Q. In the context of India’s preparation for Climate -Smart Agriculture, consider the following statements: (2021)

1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme. 
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France. 
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only 

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: (d) 

Q. In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture? (2020)

1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops 
2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies 
3. Social Capital development 
4. Free electricity supply to farmers 
5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system 
6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only 

(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only 

(c) 2, 3 and 6 only 

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 

Ans: (c)

---

Mains: 

Q. Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). (2016)

Q. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (2017)

Reorienting India’s Private Capital Expenditure

Source: TH 

Why in News?

Rising global tariffs  and fluctuating external demand underscore the need to prioritize domestic markets for economic stability, thereby shifting the focus towards Indian private sector capital expenditure (Capex).

Capital Expenditure (Capex)  

• About: It refers to funds spent on acquiring, upgrading, or maintaining physical assets like property, equipment, or technology. It’s a long-term investment recorded as an asset and depreciates over time. Examples include machinery purchases and facility upgrades.  
  • Unlike Operating expenses (Opex), which are the day-to-day costs of running a business, Capex involves substantial investments intended to generate long-term benefits.  
  • The Indian government allocates capex through its annual budget, presented by the Finance Minister.  
  • Capex Expenditure of Rs 11.21 lakh crore (3.1% of GDP) earmarked in FY2025-26.  
• Significance: Capex plays a vital role in economic growth due to its high multiplier effect.  It boosts ancillary industries, creates jobs, and enhances labour productivity.   
  • As a countercyclical fiscal tool, Capex stabilizes the economy and supports long-term revenue generation through asset creation.   
  • It also helps reduce liabilities via loan repayments and catalyses private investment, making it crucial for sustained economic development. 

Evolution of Domestic Capex in India 

• Pre-liberalisation: Businesses thrived under inward-looking policies and protected domestic markets, earning supernormal profits. 
• Post-liberalisation (1990s): Accumulated wealth enabled Indian firms to expand globally, acquire foreign entities, and build multinational operations. 
• Present context: External demand shocks, driven by rising tariff barriers, are prompting closer government-business collaboration to sustain economic growth, as existing public investments and policy reforms fall short. 

What are the Trends in Private Sector Capital Expenditure in India? 

• Overall Growth in Capex: Private sector capital expenditure (capex) increased by 66.3% between FY 2021-22 and FY 2024-25, but is expected to decline by 25.5% in FY 2025-26. 
• Nature of Investments: In FY25, around 49.6% of enterprises invested for income generation, 30.1% for upgradation, and 2.8% for diversification. 
• Sectoral Distribution: The manufacturing sector accounted for the largest share at 43.8%, followed by information and communication at 15.6%, and transportation and storage at 14% 
• Rise in Gross Fixed Assets (GFA): The average Gross Fixed Assets (GFA) per enterprise in the private corporate sector grew by 27.5% between 2022–23 and 2023–24. 

What Role can Domestic Capital Expenditure Play in Sustaining India's Growth? 

• Boosting Private Investment: With India’s outward FDI growing at 12.6% CAGR, far above the global average (3.9%), Indian firms can channel more funds into domestic opportunities to strengthen the home economy. 
  • Indian companies should utilize their record-high corporate profits to expand private investment and capex, aligning with government incentives.  
• Ensuring Moderate Wage Growth: Indian businesses have potential to address stagnant wages despite 15-year-high corporate profits (2023–24) to curb income inequality.  
  • As real wage growth is projected to dip from 7% (FY25) to 6.5% (FY26), companies need to reduce contractualisation and empower workers in formal sectors, especially manufacturing, to sustain a healthy growth cycle. 
• Investing in R&D: Indian firms should raise their Research and development (R&D) expenditure, currently just 0.64% of GDP, compared to China’s 2.1%.  
  • With the private sector contributing only 36% to total R&D—far below the around 70% seen in the US, China, and South Korea—businesses must shift focus from short-term returns to fundamental research, essential for long-term productivity gains.

How can Private Sector Capital Expenditure be Enhanced? 

• Strengthen Institutional Mechanisms and Credit Support: Revamp the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) to ensure faster approvals for large private investments. 
  • Expand the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) for MSMEs and extend similar support to mid-sized manufacturers. 
  • Utilize the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) to encourage early-stage industrial and tech investments. 
• Expand Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes: Introduce PLI schemes for sectors like defense manufacturing and precision engineering. 
  • Improve transparency and timeliness in PLI disbursements to build investor confidence. 
• Improve Tax and Regulatory Framework: Reintroduce or enhance accelerated depreciation benefits for machinery and plant investments. 
  • Fast-track the National Logistics Policy (2022) to reduce logistics costs, enhancing manufacturing competitiveness. 
• De-risk Investments: Promote Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in sectors like roads, power, and railways to attract private capital and share risks. 

Conclusion 

Sustaining India’s growth momentum requires domestic capital to boost investment, ensure fair wages, and enhance R&D, aligning with national interests for a resilient, self-reliant economy amid global uncertainties.

Drishti Mains Question:

A sustained increase in domestic demand is crucial for India's economic resilience. Analyze the role of Indian businesses in stimulating this demand.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. Why is there a need to boost domestic private investment in India currently? 
Despite record-high corporate profits and government incentives, private capex remains weak, even as outward FDI grows far faster than the global average. 

2. What is a key challenge in India's Research and Development (R&D) ecosystem? 
India's gross expenditure on R&D is only 0.64% of GDP, and the private sector contribution is merely 36%, far below leading economies, with a focus on short-term returns over fundamental research. 

3. Why is ensuring moderate wage growth important for India’s economy? 
Wage growth sustains consumption and aggregate demand; corporate profits hit a 15-year high in 2023–24, while real wage growth is projected to dip from 7% (FY25) to 6.5% (FY26), risking weaker domestic demand. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)   

Prelims

Q. Increase in absolute and per capita real GNP do not connote a higher level of economic development, if: (2018)

(a) Industrial output fails to keep pace with agricultural output.   

(b) Agricultural output fails to keep pace with industrial output   

(c) Poverty and unemployment increase.   

(d) Imports grow faster than exports.   

Ans: (c)

---

Mains

Q. “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? (2017) 

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

Over the past 10 years, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) has become a cornerstone of India’s sustainable agriculture initiatives.  

• Due to soil degradation, water pollution, and chemical residues, India launched PKVY in 2015 to promote organic farming, increase farmer incomes, and support sustainable agriculture. 

What is Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana?

• About: PKVY is part of the Soil Health Management (SHM) component under the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). 
  • The scheme aims to support and promote organic farming, leading to improvements in soil health. 
  • Promotes the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for India, a locally relevant organic certification based on mutual trust, involving both producers and consumers. 
    • PGS-India operates outside the "Third Party Certification" system. 
• Funding Pattern: 
  • Central and State Governments share the funding in a 60:40 ratio. 
  • For North Eastern and Himalayan States, the funding ratio is 90:10 (Centre: State). 
  • For Union Territories, the assistance is fully funded by the Central Government (100%). 
• Eligibility: All farmers and institutions are eligible to apply. However, the maximum landholding for eligibility is 2 hectares. 
• Key Features of PKVY 
  • Cluster-Based Approach: Farmers are organised into clusters of 20 hectares each, enabling shared resources, uniform standards, and cost reduction. 
  • End-to-End Support: The scheme supports farmers from production to processing, certification, and marketing. 
  • Training & Capacity Building: Farmers receive guidance on organic techniques, soil fertility improvement, and diversified cropping systems. 
  • Market Linkages: Encourages direct access to local and national markets, fostering entrepreneurship. 
    • The Jaivik Kheti Portal has been developed as a dedicated online platform to promote the direct sale of organic products from farmers to consumers. 
• Key Benefits Offered Under the Scheme 
  • Under PKVY, farmers transitioning to organic farming receive ₹31,500 per hectare over a three-year period.  
  • The largest portion of this support is allocated for on-farm and off-farm organic inputs. 

What are the Types of Organic Certification in India? 

• Third-Party Certification (NPOP):  Managed by accredited agencies under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), it ensures compliance with international standards across production, processing, trading, and exports, enabling Indian farmers to access global organic markets. 
• Participatory Guarantee System (PGS-India): A farmer-centric, community-based certification under the Ministry of Agriculture, where farmers collectively verify practices and declare produce as organic, primarily serving domestic markets and supporting small and marginal farmers. 

 

Read More: Natural Farming 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q.1 How is permaculture farming different from conventional chemical farming? (2021) 

1. Permaculture farming discourages monocultural practices but in conventional chemical farming, monoculture practices are predominant. 
2. Conventional chemical farming can cause an increase in soil salinity but the occurrence of such phenomenon is not observed in permaculture farming. 
3. Conventional chemical farming is easily possible in semi-arid regions but permaculture farming is not so easily possible in such regions. 
4. Practice of mulching is very important in permaculture farming but not necessarily so in conventional chemical farming. 

Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

(a) 1 and 3 
(b) 1, 2 and 4 
(c) 4 only 
(d) 2 and 3 

Ans: (b) 

Q.2 Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’? (2012) 

(a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops 
(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field 
(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together 
(d) None of the above 

Ans: (c) 

SC Halts Aravalli Jungle Safari Over Ecological Concerns

Source: IE 

The Supreme Court of India has temporarily halted the Aravalli Jungle Safari Project in Haryana, citing concerns over its environmental impact on one of India’s most ecologically sensitive regions that serves as the green lung of Delhi-NCR. 

• Aravalli Jungle Safari Project: Announced in 2022, the project aims to build the world’s largest jungle safari near Gurugram and Nuh.  
  • Inspired by Sharjah Safari (UAE) and Gir Sanctuary (Gujarat), it includes zones for big cats, bird parks, herpetarium, underwater world, and eco-tourism trails. 
• Aravalli Range: It is considered one of the oldest mountain systems in the world. It spans over 800km from Gujarat to Delhi (through Rajasthan and Haryana). The highest peak in the Aravalli Range is Guru Peak  (Guru Shikhar) on Mount Abu (also known as Arbuda). 
  • The range gives rise to rivers like the Banas, Sahibi (tributaries of the Yamuna), and Luni (flowing into the Rann of Kutch).  
  • The Aravalli Range is divided into two sections: the Sambhar-Sirohi range, which includes Guru Peak, and the Sambhar-Khetri range.  
  • Rich in minerals and natural resources, the range acts as a barrier against the western desert. 
  • It is densely forested in the south, and much of the range is rocky, sparsely populated, and covered with quartzite and sand. 

Read more: Aravallis: A Mountain Lost 

India Mobile Congress

Source:PIB 

The 9th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC 2025), Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology event, was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in New Delhi.

India Mobile Congress 

• About: It is a major annual event highlighting the latest advancements and innovations in the mobile and digital technology sector.  
  • It provides a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and technology enthusiasts, to discuss the future of the digital landscape. 
• Organised By: It was organised jointly by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). 
• Theme: Its theme is “Innovate to Transform,” highlighting India’s commitment to leveraging innovation for digital transformation and societal progress. 
• Related Recent Developments: The Bharat 6G Alliance signed MoUs with NASSCOM and the European Space Agency to advance joint technology development and released four whitepapers on spectrum, next-gen telecom power, AI-driven network evolution, and 6G architecture and security. 
  • India’s 6G ambitions are projected to add USD 1.2 trillion to GDP by 2035, with a goal of capturing 10% of global 6G patents. The country’s satellite communications market is also expected to triple by 2033.

Read More: India Mobile Congress 2023 

Project Waterworth

Source: ET 

Meta Platforms has chosen Mumbai and Visakhapatnam as the landing sites for the India leg of its multibillion-dollar undersea cable project Waterworth. 

• Project Waterworth: It is a subsea cable initiative by Meta Platforms aimed at strengthening global data connectivity.  
  • It connects the US, India, Brazil, and South Africa, making it the world’s longest subsea cable, spanning over 50,000 km.  
• Route Design: Project Waterworth features a W-shaped route that bypasses the Red Sea corridor, reducing risks from geopolitical conflicts and cable damages. 
• Timeline & Capacity: Expected to be operational by 2030, with a design capacity of 1 petabit per second (Pbps). 
• Strategic Significance: The chosen landing sites in India enhance the country’s role in global AI infrastructure, support data localisation, and strengthen India’s digital ecosystem. 

Read more: Meta's Project Waterworth