Saturday, August 17, 2019
Digital India Program
Digital India is an ambitious flagship program of the Government of India, launched on July 1, 2015, with the vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The program aims to harness the power of digital technologies to drive economic growth, improve governance, and empower citizens through digital literacy and digital access. Here are the key components and objectives of the Digital India program:
1. Infrastructure Development:
Broadband Connectivity: Digital India focuses on expanding high-speed internet connectivity to rural and remote areas to bridge the digital divide. This involves the implementation of the National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN) to provide broadband connectivity to villages.
Mobile Connectivity: Enhancing mobile network coverage and ensuring mobile connectivity in remote areas is a priority. This includes improving the quality of mobile networks and increasing the availability of mobile services.
2. Digital Literacy:
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): The PMGDISHA program aims to make 6 crore rural households digitally literate by providing digital literacy training to at least one member per household.
3. E-Governance and Service Delivery:
Digital Services: Encouraging the delivery of various government services online to citizens, reducing paperwork and enhancing efficiency. This includes services related to healthcare, education, agriculture, and more.
MyGov Platform: MyGov is an online platform that enables citizens to participate in governance by giving their opinions and suggestions on various government initiatives and policies.
4. Digital Empowerment:
Aadhaar: Promoting the use of Aadhaar (unique identification number) for targeted service delivery, ensuring efficiency and transparency in welfare programs.
Digital Payments: Encouraging digital payments and cashless transactions to reduce the dependence on cash and promote financial inclusion. Initiatives like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and BHIM app have been launched to facilitate digital transactions.
5. Digital Infrastructure for Citizens:
Digital Lockers: Providing every citizen with a secure and private digital space for storing documents, certificates, and important information.
eHospital: Digitizing healthcare services to enable citizens to book appointments, view reports, and receive medical advice online.
6. Innovations and Startups:
Promoting Innovation: Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital space, fostering startups, and creating a conducive ecosystem for technology-driven businesses.
Cybersecurity: Strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure to safeguard digital data and protect against cyber threats.
7. Digital Platforms and Portals:
UMANG App: Unified Mobile Application for New-Age Governance (UMANG) is a single platform for accessing various government services on smartphones.
National Scholarship Portal: A digital platform for scholarship applications and disbursement of scholarships to students.
Digital India is a comprehensive program that envisions a digitally inclusive society where every citizen has access to digital services and opportunities. It aims to transform India into a knowledge economy and promote sustainable growth through the widespread adoption of digital technologies.