India Ranks Low in Global Internet Blackout Preparedness

India ranks ninth in a list of 10 nations regarding its preparedness to handle a widespread internet blackout ^[1].

This ranking suggests a vulnerability in the country's digital infrastructure that could impact national security and economic stability during a crisis. As the nation increases its reliance on digital services, the ability to maintain connectivity during geopolitical tensions or cyberattacks becomes critical.

The assessment focused on two primary technical metrics: the number of undersea cables, and the availability of internet exchange points ^[1]. These physical and logical connections form the backbone of global data transmission. A lack of redundancy in these areas means that a single point of failure could potentially isolate the country from the global web.

"India stands ninth position in a list of 10, rated based on the number of undersea cables and Internet exchange points," The Hindu said ^[1].

Infrastructure gaps are highlighted by comparing the situation to other global events. For example, in Brazil, users shifted to alternative social media platforms after the platform X was blocked ^[2]. While that instance involved a specific service outage rather than a total blackout, it demonstrated how users react to connectivity disruptions.

India's current standing indicates a need for increased investment in diversified routing, and more robust exchange points to avoid total isolation. The risk is particularly acute given the rise of state-sponsored cyber threats and the physical vulnerability of undersea cables to accidental or intentional damage ^[1].

Experts suggest that improving this ranking requires expanding the number of landing stations for undersea cables, and encouraging the growth of private internet exchange points. Such measures would create a more resilient mesh of connectivity, ensuring that traffic can be rerouted if primary lines are severed ^[1].