Digital India PDF

INTRODUCTION We are gradually transitioning into a digital world, and humanity finds itself in a new era. This shift brings incredible opportunities for innovation and connectivity, as well as challenges that demand thoughtful consideration and action. India has taken on the challenge by...

INTRODUCTION We are gradually transitioning into a digital world, and humanity finds itself in a new era. This shift brings incredible opportunities for innovation and connectivity, as well as challenges that demand thoughtful consideration and action. India has taken on the challenge by launching a Digital India campaign in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Digital India is a campaign launched by the government of India to make its Services Online via Improved Online Infrastructure and increasing internet connectivity. Its main Motto is Power to Empower which promises to transform India into a digitally empowered society by focusing on digital literacy. The 3 major components are the development of digital infrastructure, delivering services digitally, and improving digital literacy. DEMAND AND EVOLVEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY THROUGH THE YEARS 1990s - Early 2000s The rise of companies like Infosys, TCS and wipro marked India’s entry into the global IT services market. There was a massive demand for Indian software professionals to address global concerns. MID - 2010s The introduction and rapid adoption of mobile phones, driven by affordable data plans and devices. Early growth of internet users, though at a slow pace due to limited infrastructure. a massive demand for Indian software professionals to address global concerns. The emergence of digital payment platforms like Paytm, PhonePe, and UPI. India becomes one of the world's largest startup ecosystems, with significant growth in technology-driven startups. THE BIRTH OF DIGITAL INDIA Digital India Initiative (2015) was launched to ensure government services are made available to citizens electronically. It has nine pillars that are : broadband highways, universal access to mobile connectivity, E- governance, Public internet access Programme, E- Kranti, Information for all, Electronic manufacturing, IT for jobs and Early Harvest programs. WHAT IS DIGITAL INDIA? Digital India is a program to prepare India for a better future. it is an umbrella program covering many departments. It is coordinated by DeitY, and implemented by the government. It weaves together a large number of ideas and thoughts into a single vision so that each of them is seen as part of a larger goal. This makes the mission transformative in totality. It pulls together many existing schemes and then is restructured and refocused. They will be implemented in a synchronized manner with process improvements at a minimal cost. VISION OF DIGITAL INDIA 1. Infrastructure as a utility to every citizen: High-speed internet is available in all rural areas such as gram panchayats. participation in digital and financial space at an individual level. Easy access to the common service center in the locality. Safe and Secure Cyber-space in the country. Shareable private space on the cloud. 2. Governance and service on demand: availability of government services on online and mobile platforms. Single window access to all persons by seamlessly integrating departments. Making financial transactions above a threshold, electronic and cashless. Leveraging GIS for decision support systems and development. 3. Digital Empowerment of Citizens: Universal digital Literacy. Digital resources are universally accessible. Availability of digital resources and certificates in Indian languages in the cloud. Portability of all entitlements through cloud. Collaborative digital platforms for participative governance. NINE PILLARS OF DIGITAL INDIA 1. Broadband Highway: This covers three major components namely, Broadband for all Rural, Broadband for all Urbans and National Information Infrastructure. The network is intended to facilitate the delivery of digital services to rural populations and is being executed in 1,00,000 gram panchayats. Bharat net is expected to be the world’s largest rural broadband upon completion. Public hotspots are being established in urban areas to provide free or affordable internet access to citizens. It includes collaborations with private telecom operators. It aims to integrate the government network (SWAN), National Knowledge Network (NKN), and the broadband network to ensure a unified infrastructure. Efforts are being made to enhance and integrate these networks, ensuring they are capable of supporting the Digital India initiative's diverse requirements. 2. Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity: It focuses on providing mobile connectivity to all citizens, especially those in remote and rural areas where connectivity is often poor or non-existent. Reducing the digital divide between urban and rural areas by providing equal opportunities for access to digital services. Economic growth by enabling rural populations to participate in the digital economy. Cost - 16,000 crores and timeline - 2014 and 2018 3. Public Internet Access Programme: This Programme focuses on providing quick internet connections in rural areas. Common Service Centers act as access points for delivery of essential public utility services, social welfare schemes, healthcare, financial, education, and agriculture services. They are physical facilities set up in villages to provide a range of digital services to citizens. Upgradation and Modernization of post offices to enable them to function as multi- service centers. The Programme aims to ensure that the benefits of the digital revolution reach every corner of the country. 4. e-Governance – Reforming Government through Technology: It aims to transform the functioning of the government by leveraging technology to make governance more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly.  Development of mobile applications for convenient access to government services on smartphones and creation of various government portals. Reduced paperwork and automated processes lead to significant cost savings in government operations. Adoption of digital signatures for document authentication and electronic forms for data collection. Integration of digital payment gateways for seamless and secure online transactions. 5. e-Kranti – Electronic Delivery of Services: It Ensures that all government services are available to citizens electronically. It enhanced service delivery and make it more efficient and accessible. Engaging with citizens through digital platforms to promote transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in governance. Establishing the necessary digital infrastructure, including broadband connectivity, data centers, and digital platforms to support the electronic delivery of services. e-Kranti aims to bridge the digital divide, enhance service delivery, and promote inclusive growth by leveraging technology. 6. Information For All: Open Data platform and online hosting of information and documents would facilitate easy access of information to citizens. Government shall pro actively engage through social media and web based platform to inform citizens. The MyGov portal serves as a two-way communication channel between the government and citizens. Online messaging to citizens on special occasions/programs would be through SMS (or) emails. The Digital India initiative aims to empower citizens with information, promote transparency, and foster participatory governance. 7. Electronic Manufacturing: Offering financial incentives, subsidies, and support to electronics manufacturers to set up production facilities in India. Creating hubs for different segments of electronics, such as mobile phones, consumer electronics, and automotive electronics. Enhancing the skill sets of the workforce through training programs specific to the needed qualifications. Promoting research in electronics by encouragement of collaboration between academia, research institutions, and industry for innovation and product development. Providing Tax breaks, duty exemptions, and simplified procedures for businesses. Strengthening the supply chain for electronic components and raw materials. 8. IT for Jobs: This pillar focuses on providing training and skill development in IT-related fields to create job opportunities and enhance employability for the youth. Offering IT training programs in rural areas to provide the necessary skills for employment. Aiming to make at least one person in every household digitally literate, thereby improving digital literacy across the country. Collaborating with industry partners to provide on-the-job training and placement opportunities for trained individuals. Establishing job portals and providing career guidance to connect skilled individuals with job opportunities. Digital India aims to harness the potential of IT to drive economic growth, create employment opportunities, and empower the youth with the skills needed for this digital age. 9. Early Harvest programs: This initiative comprises a series of short-term projects with the goal of showcasing immediate benefits to the public. Implementation of a secure messaging system for government communications to ensure confidentiality.  Promotion of digital communication by encouraging government departments to send e- Greetings, reducing paper usage. Installation of biometric attendance systems in government offices. Provision of high-speed Wi-Fi in all universities to enhance digital learning and research. Giving secure email services for all government officials to safeguard sensitive data. Establishment of public Wi-Fi hotspots in urban areas and key locations to offer internet access to citizens. Distribution of eBooks for enhanced educational accessibility and reduced paper consumption. Circulation of weather updates and disaster alerts to farmers and fishermen. Development of a national portal to track and reunite lost and found children with their families. DIGITAL INDIA INTEGRATED INTO SOCIAL SERVICE HEALTHCARE: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission initiative aims to create a digital health ecosystem by integrating health records, healthcare services, and health-related data. Platforms like eSanjeevani enable remote consultation with doctors, making healthcare accessible to people in remote and rural areas. EDUCATION DIKSHA and ePatshala are online platform providing access to a wide range of educational resources including textbooks, video lessons and interactive content for teachers and students. SWAYAM is an online platform offering online courses from school level and post graduate level. National Scholarship Portal is a one stop solution for various scholarship schemes offered by the government. FINANCIAL INCLUSION UPI simplifies digital transactions and enhances the reach of financial services. The Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile Trinity integrates special bank accounts (Jan Dhan), unique identification numbers (Aadhaar), and mobile phones to streamline the delivery of government benefits. National Social Assistance Programme provides financial assistance to the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities through digital means. EMPLOYMENT AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT National Career Service Portal connects job seekers with employers, offering career counseling and training services. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana aims to provide skill training to youth, integrating digital methods for training and assessment. e-SHRAM Portal is a national database for unorganized workers to provide them with social security benefits and employment opportunities. AGRICULTURE Kisan Suvidha App provides farmers with information on weather, market prices, plant protection, and expert advisories. e-NAM is an online trading platform for agricultural commodities, providing farmers with better price discovery and access to a wider market. PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Smart PDS Uses technology to ensure transparency and efficiency in the distribution of food grains to the eligible beneficiaries while one nation one ration card enables migrant workers and family to get subsidized food grains. GOVERNANCE SERVICES MyGov Portal is a platform for citizen engagement in governance, allowing people to share their ideas, feedback, and participate in policy-making. Digi Locker is a cloud-based platform for storing and sharing important documents like driving licenses, vehicle registration certificates, and academic records. UMANG app provides a single platform for accessing various government services. RURAL DEVELOPMENT Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan aims to make six crore rural households digitally literate. Common Service Centers facilitate access to various digital services and government schemes in rural and remote areas. BharatNet aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (village councils) in India, bridging the digital divide between rural and urban areas. DISASTER MANAGEMENT National Disaster Management Services utilizes digital technologies for early warning, response, and recovery in disaster situations. GOVERNMENT e-MARKETPLACE (GeM) Government e Marketplace (GeM), created in a record time of five months, facilitates online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various Government Departments. It ensures a fair and transparent procurement process by eliminating corruption and malpractices. Offers a comprehensive catalog of goods and services from verified vendors. User-friendly interface for government buyers and suppliers. Competitive pricing through direct purchase from manufacturers and suppliers. Integrated with various digital payment options for seamless financial transactions. IMPACT: It has increased efficiency of government operations. It has lead to better price discovery and cost savings for the government. Provides a level playing field for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to supply goods and services to the government. The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a crucial component of the Digital India initiative, promoting transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in government procurement processes. OUTCOMES FROM DIGITAL INDIA Universal access to high-speed internet, especially in rural areas. Seamless online access to government services through government platforms. Enhanced digital skills and literacy among citizens, particularly in rural areas. Reduced corruption and increased accountability in government processes.  Development of smart cities with sustainable infrastructure. Improved decision making in government departments through geospatial data. Empowerment of marginalized communities by providing them with access to digital resources and services. By achieving these outcomes, digital India aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society. CITATIONS: OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com Vikaspedia.in/e-governance/digital-india/introduction-to-digital-india Digital India. (2024, July 1). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_India MeiTY.gov.in