Context:
∙ Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) are likely to help propel India towards a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030, helping it to become an $8 trillion economy, a Nasscom report said.
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∙ By 2030, DPIs will significantly enhance citizens’ efficiency and promote social as well as financial inclusion.
∙ According to the report, mature DPIs such as Aadhaar, UPI, and FASTag which have witnessed exponential adoption by 2022 would in the next 7-8 years offer an opportunity for further scalability, reaching even the most remote population.
∙ Mature DPIs have generated a value of $31.8 billion, equivalent to 0.9% of India’s GDP.
Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs)
∙ essential public services to citizens and businesses.
∙ They act as foundational layers, enabling various digital solutions to be built upon them and also act as digital highways facilitating seamless interactions between different stakeholders.
Present Status in India:
∙ India’s DPI ecosystem, known as India Stack, has made significant strides in recent years.
∙ India Stack is a set of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to unlock the economic primitives of identity, data, and payments at population scale.
Key DPIs include:
∙ Aadhaar: Unique digital identity for every resident.
∙ UPI: Real-time payment system enabling instant money transfers.
∙ eSign: Digital signature solution for online authentication.
∙ DigiLocker: Platform for storing and sharing digital documents.
∙ API (Application Programming Interface) Gateway: Standardized interface for accessing government data and services.
Significance/Achievements:
E Governance and Transparency:
∙ Improved Service Delivery: DPIs streamline government services, reducing manual processes and corruption, leading to greater efficiency and transparency.
∙ Citizen centric: DPIs empower citizens with better access to government services, information, and opportunities, promoting participation and accountability.
∙ Reduced Corruption: Transparency through online services and digital transactions minimizes room for corruption, promoting better governance practices.
Economic Impact:
∙ Financial Inclusion: DPIs like Aadhaar and UPI brought millions into the formal financial system, facilitating easier access to credit and financial services.
∙ Boost to Digital Economy: DPIs support digital transactions, e-commerce, and online businesses, accelerating economic growth and creating new opportunities.
Social Impact:
∙ Improved Public Health: DPIs can aid in healthcare delivery, disease surveillance, and telemedicine, enhancing access to quality healthcare in remote areas.
∙ Government initiatives like Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and National Health Mission leverage DPIs in healthcare.
∙ Education and Skill Development: DPIs facilitate online learning platforms, digital content access, and skill development programs, fostering knowledge dissemination and improving employability.
∙ Hence, DPIs can play a crucial role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in India.
Additional Benefits:
∙ National Security: Robust DPIs can support e-surveillance and intelligence gathering, aiding in maintaining national security.
∙ Disaster Management: DPIs can facilitate early warning systems, resource allocation, and communication during natural disasters, improving response effectiveness.
∙ International Collaboration: India’s DPIs are gaining global recognition, attracting investment and fostering international partnerships in tech development.
∙ For instance, Singapore and Sri Lanka incorporated UPI in their digital systems.
Challenges:
∙ Digital Divide: Unequal access to the internet and digital literacy hinder widespread adoption.
∙ Data Privacy and Security: Concerns about data misuse and breaches require robust safeguards.
∙ Standardization and Interoperability: Ensuring different DPI components work seamlessly together remains crucial.
∙ Capacity Building: Upskilling government officials and citizens to leverage DPIs effectively is essential.
Measures:
∙ Focus on inclusion: Bridging the digital divide through initiatives like PM Gramin Digital Literacy Mission.
∙ Privacy and security: Strengthening data protection frameworks and ensuring responsible data governance.
∙ Enactment and implementation of Data Protection Act is needed on a priority basis, as underlined in the Puttaswamy judgement, 2027.
∙ Strengthening existing DPIs: Scaling up adoption and promoting innovation in their use.
∙ Developing new DPIs: Exploring areas like public health, education, and agriculture.
Way Ahead:
∙ Overall, DPIs hold immense potential to transform India’s digital landscape and empower citizens. Continuous assessment and adaptation are necessary to ensure DPIs remain relevant and effective.
∙ Addressing existing challenges and focusing on inclusive development are key to unlocking their full potential.Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) are digital platforms and systems that support the delivery of
