Digital India Programme
Background and Purpose
- Launched in 2015, the Digital India programme is not just a single scheme but an umbrella programme that integrates many e-Governance initiatives across Ministries and Departments.
- Its purpose is very clear:
➡️ To transform India into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge economy.
This means that citizens should not only have access to digital infrastructure but also the ability to use it effectively for education, governance, and economic participation.
Objectives
Digital India is built on three broad objectives:
- Digital Access – Every citizen must have the infrastructure (internet, devices, platforms).
- Digital Inclusion – Bridging the digital divide so that rural and urban, rich and poor, literate and illiterate – all can participate.
- Digital Empowerment – Giving people the skill and confidence to use digital tools for their benefit.
In simple words: connect everyone, include everyone, and empower everyone digitally.
Salient Features
- Umbrella Nature: It covers projects of Central Ministries, Departments, and State Governments. Each agency is responsible for its implementation, but overall coordination is done by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- PPP model: Wherever possible, the private sector is involved through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
- Key Initiatives include:
- Aadhaar
- DigiLocker
- Common Service Centres (CSCs)
- Bharat Broadband Network Limited
- CERT-In (cybersecurity)
- Cyber Swachhta Kendra
- Centre of Excellence for IoT
- DigiSevak volunteer programme, etc.
Vision – Three Core Areas
(A) Digital Infrastructure as a Utility to Every Citizen
- High-speed internet as a basic right.
- Digital identity (like Aadhaar): cradle to grave, lifelong, unique, online, authenticable.
- Mobile phone and bank account for every citizen → enabling participation in digital and financial space.
- Access to Common Service Centres (CSCs) in every village.
- Secure private storage on cloud for citizens.
- Safe and secure cyberspace.
(B) Governance and Services on Demand
- Government departments integrated seamlessly.
- Services available in real-time through online and mobile platforms.
- All citizen entitlements (scholarships, pensions, subsidies) available on the cloud.
- Promoting Ease of Doing Business through digital transformation.
- Moving towards electronic, cashless transactions.
- Using GIS (Geographic Information System) for planning and decision-making.
(C) Digital Empowerment of Citizens
- Universal digital literacy – everyone should know how to use digital tools.
- All documents/certificates available online on the cloud.
- Access to digital resources in all Indian languages.
- Collaborative platforms for participative governance (citizens engaging with government online).
- Portability of entitlements (benefits follow the person, not the location).
Nine Pillars of Digital India
- Broadband Highways
- Universal Access to Phones
- Public Internet Access Programme
- e-Governance: Reforming Government through Technology
- eKranti: Electronic Delivery of Services
- Information for All
- Electronics Manufacturing – Target Net Zero Imports
- IT for Jobs
- Early Harvest Programmes
These nine pillars provide the structural backbone of Digital India.
Project Management Structure
To ensure coordination at the highest level, a multi-tier structure exists:
- Monitoring Committee → chaired by the Prime Minister
- Digital India Advisory Group → chaired by the Minister of Communications & IT
- Apex Committee → chaired by the Cabinet Secretary
This shows the seriousness of the programme – it is being monitored directly at the highest political and bureaucratic levels.
Key Enabling Agencies
Some important institutions enabling Digital India include:
- Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA): ensures digital signature and authentication.
- C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing): develops indigenous computing technologies.
- CRIS (Centre for Railway Information Systems): railway digital systems.
- CSC (Common Service Centres): last-mile delivery of e-services.
- SFAC (Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium): digital platforms for farmers.
Conclusion
Digital India is not merely about technology—it is about transforming governance and society. It envisions:
- Every citizen digitally connected,
- Every service available online,
- Every individual empowered to use digital resources,
- And India becoming a knowledge economy.
✨ In short, Digital India = Digital Infrastructure + Digital Governance + Digital Empowerment, implemented through nine pillars and monitored at the highest levels of government.