Digital Services in India: Growth, Initiatives & Impact

Digital Services in India

India has witnessed rapid digital transformation in the past decade, driven by government initiatives, private sector participation, and increasing internet penetration .

Other Government Initiatives

Digital India Mission (2015) – Aims for digital infrastructure, services, and literacy.
Aadhaar – World’s largest biometric ID, used for e-KYC, DBT, and financial inclusion.
UPI (Unified Payments Interface) – India leads in real-time digital transactions.
e-Governance – UMANG, DigiLocker, e-Courts, e-Hospital, CoWIN platforms.
ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) – Boosts e-commerce accessibility.

Previous Questions of Prelims

1Q. Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India? (2018)

Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did.
Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places and major tourist centres.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 and 2 only
3 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3

Answer:

b) 3 only

The Digital India initiative, launched in 2015 , aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy .

Statement 1: Formation of India’s own Internet companies like China did → Incorrect
- Digital India does not explicitly aim to create national internet companies like China’s Baidu, Alibaba, or Tencent . It focuses on digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and e-governance.
Statement 2: Establish a policy framework for multinational corporations to set up large data centers within India → Incorrect
- While India has introduced data localization policies in recent years (e.g., Personal Data Protection Bill), this was not an original aim of the Digital India program.
Statement 3: Connecting villages to the Internet and bringing Wi-Fi to schools, public places, and tourist centers → Correct
- One of the core goals of Digital India is to expand internet connectivity, public Wi-Fi access, and digital infrastructure across rural and urban India.
- Examples: BharatNet (rural broadband), Public Wi-Fi under PM-WANI, and Wi-Fi in railway stations & public places.

2Q. Consider the following statements: (2018)

Aadhaar card can be used as a proof of citizenship or domicile.
Once issued, Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted by the Issuing Authority.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2

Answer:

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Aadhaar card as proof of citizenship or domicile – Incorrect

Aadhaar is only an identity proof , not a proof of citizenship or domicile (as per the Aadhaar Act, 2016).
Even non-citizens residing in India can obtain Aadhaar.

Aadhaar number cannot be deactivated or omitted – Incorrect

UIDAI (Issuing Authority) can deactivate Aadhaar under certain conditions, such as:
Non-usage for 3 consecutive years (for children below 5 years).
Fraudulent or multiple enrollments .