The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), hosted Universal Acceptance (UA) Day 2025 on March 28 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

The event, themed "Connecting the Unconnected – Building a Multilingual Internet for Viksit Bharat," aimed to promote a more inclusive digital ecosystem in India.

Key Highlights:

Empowering Citizens: Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY and Chairman of NIXI, emphasized that Universal Acceptance is about enabling every citizen, regardless of language or background, to fully participate in the digital economy.

Government Initiatives: The event highlighted efforts to simplify and democratize digital access, including promoting Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) and language translation tools to bridge the digital divide.

Global Collaboration: Shri Krishnan underscored India's commitment to a multi-stakeholder approach in global internet governance, aiming to protect cultural identity and enhance communication as the country's internet user base nears one billion.

Linguistic Diversity: Mr. Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO's Regional Office for South Asia, stressed that embracing linguistic diversity online is crucial for preserving languages and empowering communities, fostering true digital inclusion.

NIXI's Dedication: Dr. Devesh Tyagi, CEO of NIXI, reiterated the organization's commitment to creating an inclusive internet where language is no longer a barrier, unlocking the full potential of India's digital economy.

Socio-Economic Impact: Discussions focused on the benefits of Universal Acceptance for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and industries, exploring how UA compliance can shape effective public policy.

Addressing Adoption Challenges: Participants identified gaps in native language adoption and proposed initiatives to overcome barriers faced by internet users.

Integration with Digital Infrastructure: The importance of Universal Acceptance within Digital Public Infrastructure was highlighted, emphasizing how it can empower citizens by providing seamless access to essential digital services in their native languages.

The event concluded with a collective commitment to advancing Universal Acceptance in India, fostering a more inclusive and accessible digital environment for all citizens.