New World Issues in Outer Space Exploration

The outer space landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, the new paradigm characterized by increasing private sector participation, lower launch costs, rapid technological innovation. These developments promise economic and scientific opportunities. 

A major challenge lies in the legal framework governing space resources. Existing agreements mainly prohibit national sovereignty over celestial bodies but offer little clarity regarding ownership of minerals extracted from the Moon, Mars, or asteroids. Today, emerging space powers such as India and China have developed extensive expertise and are likely to seek a greater role in shaping future rules. The Artemis Accords, led by the United States, recognizes the ownership over extracted minerals from celestial bodies - it has sown seeds for future alliances but also points towards likely monopolization and unequal access.

Ownership of space resources may involve rights to extract, process, transport, store, use, and sell materials and this raises complex legal issues: Who will exercise jurisdiction over extracted resources? How will competing claims be resolved? What mechanisms will govern disputes, theft, or interference with commercial operations? To avoid future conflict, the international community must establish clear and inclusive rules before large-scale commercial mining begins. India, with its successful Moon and Mars missions, is well positioned to contribute to these discussions and protect its long-term interests.

Read the full article here Moon, Mars and Minerals – Magic Menu for Mankind 

Previous : Consultancy Contracts

Consultancy Contracts

A sample study of consultancy procurement tenders floated by central government procuring entities on GeM during the last three financial years revealed issues with the eligibility and qualification criteria for consultancy tenders. GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is a digital platform for procurement of goods & services by central/state ministries/departments and public sector units. The Govt has made it easier for domestic consultancy firms to bid for government contracts, giving them a level playing field under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

In their memorandum dated July 22, the Department of Expenditure (DoE) has relaxed key conditions including high turnover requirements (presently 5-10 times the assignment value), weightage assigned to experience and minimum payroll staffing for a project. The revised norms discourage procuring entities from setting excessively high turnover thresholds and stipulate that minimum payroll staff requirements maybe proportionate to the manpower actually needed for an assignment. These guidelines reiterate and clarify provisions under existing procurement manuals and the General Financial Rules.

The advisory addresses bottlenecks that historically favored major multinational entities (such as the "Big Four" - Ernst & Young, PwC, Deloitte and KPMG), opening complex government mandates to specialized domestic firms under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.The DoE’s advisory to all central government departments and ministries for easing of eligibility criteria in government consultancy tenders is a measure that would pave the way for domestic consultancies to be on an equal footing with multinational consulting firms.

Read more here: https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2026/Aug/14/govt-depts-asked-to-ease-eligibility-norms-for-consultancy-firms

Hope the impact is felt soon

Next : New World Issues in Outer Space Exploration

Previous : Registration of Births and Deaths

Registration of Births and Deaths

The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026) was passed in Parliament this monsoon session. This has tightened the process of registration of births, making a few essential changes. While at present, even adults could easily obtain their birth certificates at any time, strict deadlines have now been laid down.

Under the law as it currently stands, any birth or death reported more than a year after it occurred can only be registered on the strength of an order from a District Magistrate, a Sub-Divisional Magistrate, or an Executive Magistrate specially authorised for the purpose. This single-tier system applies regardless of how long the delay has been, whether it is thirteen months or thirteen years. Also the birth certificate was a stand-alone document. The amendment makes the process of delayed registration of births and deaths considerably more stringent, particularly for entries reported long after the actual event.

Once the rules are framed, any registration of birth, beyond 21 days requires payment of fees. Also an order is required to register a birth, beyond 30 days, with escalation depending on the period of delay. For a delay of more than two years, the order may be issued only by a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class. Before issuing an order, the authority concerned must satisfy itself of the "correctness" of the event being registered. This eliminates the role of the executives and politicians. More details can be seen here

https://lawbeat.in/news-updates/registration-of-births-and-deaths-amendment-bill-2026-introduced-in-lok-sabha-key-changes-in-delayed-registration-rules-1617372

While this appears to be a small change in procedure, it may be remembered that the data of Aadhar card etc of the parents would be linked to the centralised National Intelligence Grid or NATGRID - an integrated intelligence master database structure. After the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls, the data base of the parents and birth data is instantly cross-referenced. Any mismatch can potentially impact all linked documents – passport, property registration, bank accounts, PAN Card, ration card etc.

Let us now watch actual implementation of this amendment.

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Previous: National Intelligence Grid or NATGRID

National Intelligence Grid or NATGRID

The National Intelligence Grid or NATGRID is an integrated intelligence master database structure for counter-terrorism purposes which connects 21 databases of various core security agencies under the Government of India. NATGRID aims to mitigate a vital deficiency — lack of real time information, which was considered to be one of the major hurdles in detecting US terror suspect David Headley's movement across the country during his multiple visits between 2006 and 2009.

NATGRID was conceptualised in 2009 in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, revived in 2016 and became operational at the end of 2020. It is based in Bengaluru and is accessible only to security agencies. It is a platform to facilitate secure intelligence-sharing between the National Investigative Agency (NIA) and State Anti-Terror Squads and enables the police and investigating agencies to securely access government and private databases in real time. It is being developed as a measure to help security agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) etc. in tackling crime and terror threats in the country.

NATGRID is a state-backed surveillance database that gives security agencies access to all kinds of data about a citizen, including details of driving licence, vehicle registration, bank records, Aadhaar registration, FASTag, hospital data, airline data, tax records, bank records, and also details of social media accounts which share posts on a particular issue, telecom and internet usage.

Additionally, NATGRID’s advanced analytics tool “Gandiva” can reportedly be used for facial recognition of criminals and potential suspects. Gandiva, NATGRID’s AI-driven intelligence query tool, adds a single point search and can match the image of a suspect with photo identity documents such as telecom KYC, vehicle registration or driving licence etc.

The Home Ministry has been advocating the use of NATGRID by State police and Central agencies to collect intelligence and speed up investigation of criminal cases. The platform gathered pace after investigating agencies and the state police were recently asked to scale up the use of NATGRID in all investigations.

Access to NATGRID is now available to Superintendent of Police (SP) rank officers. NATGRID is linked to the CCTNS ( Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems database covering around 14,000 police stations. Presently NATGRID is receiving 45,000 requests per month.


The NATGRID leverages Information Technology to connect approved User Agencies (security/law enforcement) with designated Data providers (Airlines, Banks, SEBI, Railway, Telecom etc.) with a view to enhance the country’s counter- terrorism capability. As per recent information, Govt. has linked the intel grid to National Population Register, agencies can access details of 119 crore residents

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/govt-links-intel-grid-to-national-population-register-agencies-can-access-details-of-119-crore-residents/article70437004.ece

Next: Registration of Births and Deaths
Previous : Direct to Mobile (D2M)

Direct to Mobile (D2M)

Social media has been an important tool of communication but requires internet. Also facebook, X, youtube etc. are governed by rules and laws of miscellaneous companies and countries.

 

In the past we have watched broadcasts in India without internet using Over-the-Air (OTA) TV antennas for traditional TVs. For several years now, the Government has been working on a broader push for digital self-reliance using Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) technology. This is being developed to stream live TV directly to compatible smartphones and other mobile devices and will allow content on a mobile phone without a data connection. By minimising dependence on internet infrastructure, the D2M model could also reduce content delivery costs and relieve pressure on telecom networks.

 

The D2M technology enables users to receive live TV, video, audio, and text content directly on mobile phones without internet or Wi-Fi access. This approach leverages terrestrial TV broadcast signals to deliver content, positioning it as a potential disruptor to traditional data-driven streaming services. In a paper titled 'D2M Broadcast 5G Broadband Convergence Roadmap for India', published by IIT Kanpur in 2022, it was noted that currently available mobile devices do not support D2M technology. To make these devices compatible, a separate baseband processing unit is needed, along with an antenna, low-noise amplifiers, baseband filters and a receiver. Traditionally, it has been employed for issuing emergency alerts and assisting in disaster management. The government said that using D2M, information can be directly delivered on the mobile phone of users without straining network bandwidth.

The D2M platform is not entirely new to India and has undergone multi-year testing on live networks through a collaboration between public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, IIT Kanpur, and Tata group. GOI, in collaboration with several partners, has also required private players to prepare to roll out Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) phones in India, ahead of upcoming nationwide field trials,

 

The D2M technology functions in the manner similar to FM radio, where a receiver gets the transmitted signal. It is also similar to direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting in which a dish antenna receives broadcast signals directly from satellites and transmits them to a receiver, also known as a set-top box.

Last year, pilot projects to test the D2M technology were carried out in Bengaluru, Kartavya Path and Noida. After successful pilot trials, the technology is moving toward a phased commercial rollout in mid/late 2026. The phones to be launched will include chipsets that support features like emergency alerts, targeted advertising, and educational content without relying on mobile data. Mobile phones have been launched by Lava and HMD (who manufactured Nokia phones).

Once implemented, it is likely to be as revolutionary and successful as India’s UPI (Unified Payments Interface), more especially in rural and smaller cities where internet penetration is low.

 

https://www.communicationstoday.co.in/direct-to-mobile-unlocking-indias-next-digital-wave/ 

Next : National Intelligence Grid or NATGRID

Previous : Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)