Digital India Initiative: Driving India Forward

Introduction

The Digital India initiative, launched by our honourable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi on July 01, 2015 (“Digital India Initiative”), exhibits an innovative step towards transforming India into a digitally empowered society. As the Digital India Initiative celebrated its 9th anniversary on July 01, 2024, it is a great time to highlight its achievements, impact and the various programs launched under the same till this date. The purpose of the Digital India Initiative is to ensure that all the significant public services are made available to every citizen electronically by improving online infrastructure, increasing internet connectivity, and empowering India digitally in the field of technology.

Vision and Objectives of Digital India Initiative

Digital India Initiative is an evolutionary project which was initiated to aim at creating a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. At its core, the Digital India Initiative focuses on several key areas where one of the fundamental aspects is providing digital infrastructure as a core utility to every citizen of India which includes ensuring high-speed internet access, digital identity for all, easy access to common services, a secure cyberspace, and financial inclusion. Additionally, the Digital India Initiative emphasizes continuous governance and on-demand services by integrating various government departments, offering real-time services through online and mobile platforms and providing citizens with easy access to information and services. Further, the Digital India Initiative aims at digital literacy, accessible digital resources to the citizens of India, all time cloud-based availability of all documents and certificates, and a collaborative digital platform for democratic governance. These comprehensive efforts collectively drive the vision of Digital India Initiative fostering an environment where technology enhances the quality of life and supports economic growth.

Key Initiatives Under Digital India

Over the past 9 (nine) years, several initiatives have been launched to realize the vision of Digital India. Some of the major programs and achievements include:

1. Aadhaar

Aadhaar is India's unique identification system which holds the distinction of being the world's largest biometric identification system with over 1.3 billion enrolled individuals. This comprehensive database captures biometric and demographic data, ensuring that every enrolled individual has a unique identification number which plays a vital role in increasing the efficiency and transparency of various government schemes and services for the citizens of India.

One of the key functions of Aadhaar is in the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes. By linking Aadhaar with bank accounts of individuals the government ensures that various benefits such as subsidies, pensions, scholarships etc. are directly credited to the beneficiaries' accounts and are not routed through the any other means. This DBT scheme significantly reduces the need for intermediaries thereby minimizing opportunities for corruption and leakage of funds during the transit.

2. E-Kranti

The aim of e-Kranti is to accelerate e-governance across India and ensure government-wide revolution for delivering all government services electronically to citizens via integrated systems through multiple modes. Using e-governance to transform governance, the ultimate objective of e-Kranti is to make all government services accessible to the general public in their respective localities via common service delivery outlets and ensure efficiency, reliability and transparency in such services at reasonable costs.

3. BharatNet

BharatNet is one of the biggest rural telecom projects in the world which is implemented in a phased manner in India to all ‘Gram Panchayats’ (approximately 2.5 lakh) for providing non-discriminatory access to broadband connectivity to all the telecom service providers. The objective of BharatNet is to enable access providers such as internet service providers, mobile operators, cable TV operators and content providers to launch various services such as applications like e-health, e-education and e-governance in rural and remote India. As of 2024, significant progress has been made in the said initiative thereby connecting over 1.5 Lakh ‘Gram Panchayats’.

4. E-Sign

The eSign framework enables citizens to digitally sign documents using their Aadhaar numbers through e-KYC thereby removing the requirement of using physical cryptographic token. It is a convenient and secure way to sign documents therebyencouraging paperless transactions and lowering the need for physical signatures.

5. Digital Locker

Digital Locker is a secured cloud-based platform of the Government of India for storing, sharing, and verifying documents and certificates. It eliminates the need for keeping physical documents at all times which thereby provides citizens with a hassle-free way to manage their important documents and furnish the same to the various authorities as and when required.

6. Common Services Centers (CSCs)

Common Services Centers (CSCs) are a crucial part of the Digital India Initiative which is launched by the Government of India to provide essential services to citizens in rural and remote areas. These CSCs act as access points for delivering various digital services to the general public including but not limited to government schemes, banking services, insurance, healthcare, education, and agricultural support in their respective areas. CSCs enable residents of rural and remote India to access vital services without the need for them to travel to urban areas which thereby saves time and resources for such citizens. These CSCs further create employment opportunities for local entrepreneurs who manage and operate these centers in rural and remote areas of India.

7. BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money)

BHIM is a mobile payment application based on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) which simplifies digital transactions, and the said application has also played a significant role in promoting cashless transactions across India. The BHIM application supports multiple Indian languages which makes the application more accessible and easier for citizens across India.

8. Government e Marketplace (GeM)

GeM is an online platform launched by the Government of India in 2016 in order to streamline and enhance the procurement process for government departments, organizations, and public sector undertakings. GeM offers a wide range of products and service including office supplies, IT equipment, consulting services etc., therebt making the procurement efficient and cost-effective.

9. MyGov

MyGov is an online platform developed by the Government of India to encourage citizens to actively participate in policy-making and governance. It provides a forum for people to participate by sharing their ideas and suggestions, as well as to discuss government policies and projects.

10. E-Hospital

The e-hospital initiative aims to transform the healthcare sector by leveraging technology to improve the efficiency and accessibility of medical services in India. This initiative integrates information technology into clinical practice to create a seamless, patient-centered experience whereby patients can quickly book their appointments, access their medical records, and access their test results online as there will be a decrease in physical visits to hospital and hours of waiting.

Impact and Achievements

The Digital India Initiative has had a great impact on various sectors including but not limited to education, governance, healthcare and finance. Some of the significant achievements include:

1. Electronic delivery of services: Through e-Kranti, the Government of India has streamlined electronic delivery of government services to businesses in India such as online access to licenses, permits, registrations, and other necessary approvals. It essentially simplifies administrative processes for business owners with respect to day to day business operations thereby saving a lot of their valuable time and resources, as, through delivery of online services, the business owners can interact with the government machinery efficiently and are not required to physically visit the government offices for their business operations.




2. Digital Infrastructure: The Digital India Initiative focused on providing high-speed Internet access across India, especially in remote and rural areas. Increased internet penetration across the country has enabled companies to expand their reach and enter new markets, significantly reducing geographic barriers for business owners.




3. Ease in executing documents and obtaining online services: By virtue of the e-sign initiative, an Application Service Provider (ASP) can integrate eSign online electronic signature service so that the users of that ASP will be able to use eSign. A physical paper form which is currently used to obtain digital signature certificate is being replaced by its electronic form and thereby facilitate electronic signature of the signer through eSign. ASPs who can be potential users of eSign include banks, financial institutions, government agencies, educational institutions etc.




4. Financial Inclusion and Digital Payments: Digital India Initiative has promoted the adoption of digital payment systems such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), and mobile e-wallets which has enabled users to facilitate easier and quicker transactions while reducing their dependence on cash and thereby enhancing the efficiency of day-to-day operations for business owners.




5. Promotion of Startups: The Digital India Initiative has completely supported the Startup India program by providing registered startups with benefits such as tax exemptions, funding opportunities, and easier regulatory compliance which fostered an exciting startup ecosystem in the country. Such initiatives under the Digital India Initiative unfolds the funding opportunities through various government grants and scheme and making it easier for startups to assure the investment needed for expansion of their businesses.




6. Increased reach for businesses: The Government’s focus on improving digital infrastructure through projects like BharatNet has also been instrumental as it has enhanced internet connectivity in rural and semi-urban areas which has consequently opened up new markets and opportunities for businesses across the country. Entrepreneurs can now reach a broader audience, access global markets, and utilize digital platforms for marketing and sales.

   The Digital India Initiative has overall created a more favorable business environment by reducing bureaucratic and administrative hurdles; promoting transparency; and enhancing digital infrastructure across India. It has made the way for a new era of entrepreneurship, driving innovation, job creation, and economic development.

Conclusion

The Digital India Initiative has made significant developments in making government services more accessible to the general public and promoting digital literacy throughout the country. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that the benefits of digitization and digitalization reach every corner of the country. With continued focus and investment, Digital India Initiative can indeed transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy by fulfilling the vision as was set forth 9 (nine) years ago.