Despite being a low-income country with a poorly developed telecommunications infrastructure, digital India has huge progress in terms of human capital development and online service provision (otherwise known as OSI in the UN’s E-government report.) OSI measures the overall maturity of online services provided by the government. This is quite impressive, given the challenges posed by its not highly-developed telecommunications infrastructure.
India’s middle position in the TII (Telecommunication Infrastructure Index) and high HCI (Human Capital Index) reflect a dichotomy in its digital development. On one hand, there’s a solid foundation in terms of human capital, indicating a skilled workforce capable of engaging with digital technologies effectively. On the other hand, the infrastructure remains a bottleneck, (potentially) hindering the full realisation of digital potential.
Highly skilled workers are an important part of digital India.
I think India has made remarkable progress by leveraging its vast pool of skilled technical labour to develop digital services for its citizens. A standout example is Aadhaar, which means “foundation” in several Indian languages. It’s the world’s largest biometric identity program, covering nearly the entire population of 1.4 billion.
Originally aimed at curbing fraud in social benefit programs, Aadhaar has evolved to become integral to various aspects of daily life in India, including banking and mobile phone activation.
I believe the success of India’s digital public services is also evident in initiatives like Transactions on its United Payments Interface (UPI), which has witnessed exponential growth in transactions, making financial dealings more accessible. Additionally, DigiLocker has simplified bureaucracy by providing a convenient online repository for official documents (like licenses and tax records.) The UPI witnessed significant growth, with over 10 billion payments and transfers in August 2023.
MyGov.in is another important platform for improving participatory governance. With millions of registered users, it offers various tools for participation, such as discussions, polls, and surveys. This not only encourages citizen involvement but also strengthens democratic processes.
Also, several other initiatives have been implemented in digital India, including a unified phone application called UMANG or E-Hospital, which provides online healthcare services to enhance accessibility and/or e-attendance that tracks government employee attendance in real-time.
Exporting technologies to other poor countries
Recently, India has had very ambitious plans to export its technological innovations to other developing nations, and I find it quite promising. It’s clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sees this as an opportunity not only to extend India’s influence but also to gain goodwill from other countries at a relatively low cost. This initiative is also supported by tech leaders who see it as a validation of their skills and capabilities.
To achieve these goals, India recognises the need for a structured approach. So far, it has relied on bilateral agreements, which, although effective, can be slower and less attention-grabbing.
One notable achievement was India’s success at the G20 summit in 2023, where a framework for the development, deployment, and governance of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) was adopted. Additionally, the endorsement of India’s plan for a global repository for DPI products by organisations like the UNDP and the World Bank is an important step forward.
Looking ahead to 2024, it’s anticipated that more (less developed) countries will adopt India’s identity system and payment technologies, driven by their demonstrated efficacy and scalability.
The growing linkages between India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and similar systems in other countries – particularly those with significant Indian diaspora populations – are expected to facilitate smoother remittance processes, enabling greater financial inclusion and economic development.
Data leaking and cybersecurity
The increased prominence of India’s technology on the global stage has inevitably attracted scrutiny, particularly concerning data security and privacy concerns.
Instances of data leaks from India’s digital systems (such as the vaccination database and identity system) only highlight the vulnerabilities that exist within these complex technological infrastructures.
So, as India expands its technological footprint globally, it must be prepared to face rigorous scrutiny and testing of the robustness of its technology. This includes ensuring that adequate measures are in place to safeguard sensitive data and protect against potential cyber threats.
That’s why by prioritising cybersecurity and adopting proactive measures to address vulnerabilities, India can ensure that its technology continues to make a positive impact while minimising potential risks to data security and privacy.
Final thoughts
The country’s success in developing and implementing complex digital projects, such as Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), shows its potential to serve as a global leader in the digital space.
Also, I believe that by addressing concerns surrounding data security and privacy while continuing to use its skilled workforce and expertise, digital India can continue to play a very important role in e-governance, both domestically and internationally.
Sources:
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/77-India
https://datahub.itu.int/dashboards/?e=IND&i=20366&id=2
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Dashboards/Pages/Digital-Development.aspx
