Context: Recently, the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) has launched the Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme, aiming to build expertise and awareness in internet governance among Indian citizens.

About Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme

• What it is: A bi-annual internship program designed to enhance knowledge and skills in internet governance, offering practical exposure and mentorship.

• Launched by: National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

• Aim: To nurture young minds, build expertise in digital policy, and prepare the next generation of Internet Governance experts and tech policy leaders.

Features:

• Two tracks: Six-month and three-month internships.

• Mentorship by subject matter experts from organizations like Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

• Stipend of Rs 20,000 per month for interns.

• Focus on outreach programs to promote internet governance knowledge.

• Opportunities to collaborate with I-Star organizations and contribute to digital governance.

• It will equip participants with the knowledge to effectively engage in global internet governance processes with I-Star organisations like Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN),Internet Society or Information Security Operations Center (ISOC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and collaborate closely with leading experts in the field.

• It will nurture a pool of domestic talent who can deeply engage with emerging internet governance issues and contribute to their resolution.

About National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)

• What it is: A not-for-profit organization under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013, working under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

• Established in: June 19, 2003.

• Aim: To increase internet penetration and facilitate digital adoption in India by building critical infrastructure and improving internet connectivity.

Functions

• Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Enhance data exchange and reduce latency by routing domestic internet traffic within the country.

• .IN Registry: Manage and promote India’s .in domain to strengthen the country’s digital identity.

• Internet Registry (IRINN): Support adoption of IPv4 and IPv6 addresses for seamless internet connectivity.

• Data Centre Services: Provide secure and reliable data storage solutions to support India’s digital ecosystem.

Key Initiatives

• IPv6 Expert Panel (IP Guru): Support Indian entities in adopting IPv6 protocols.

• NIXI Academy: Educate individuals on internet technologies like IPv6.

• NIXI-IP-INDEX: Track and showcase IPv6 adoption rates in India and globally