Digital India Program

Digital India Programme:

Introduction:

In mid 1990s e-governance initiative started in India with projects like railway computerization, land record computerization and many more which were mainly emphasized on providing citizen-centric services. But due to limited features, these e-governance services did not have much impact and created the need for a more comprehensive planning and implementation for the infrastructure required to be put in place, interoperability issues to be addressed, etc. to establish a more connected government.

Apparently, considering the shortcomings of the e-governance plan that includes lack of integration amongst Government applications and databases, low degree of government process reengineering, scope for leveraging emerging technologies like mobile, cloud and many more, the Government of India has approved e-Kranti project which has a vision of "Transforming e-Governance for Transforming Governance". The focus is to bring Transformation to Realize
IT (Indian talent) + IT (Information Technology) = IT (India Tomorrow)

Vision:

The vision of the Digital India Programme is to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

Key Vision Areas:

• Digital infrastructure as a core utility to every citizen;
• Governance and services on demand; and
• Digital empowerment of citizens

Approach and Methodology:

• Ministries / Departments / States would fully leverage the Common and Support ICT Infrastructure established by Government of India. The Department would also evolve/ lay down standards and policy guidelines, provide technical and handholding support, undertake capacity building, R&D, etc.
• The existing/ongoing e-Governance initiatives would be suitably revamped to align them with the principles of Digital India. Moreover, to enhance the delivery of government services to citizens, new methods and approach would be undertaken like process reengineering, scope enhancement, use of integrated & interoperable systems and deployment of emerging technologies like cloud & mobile etc.
• Flexibility would be given to the State to identify for inclusion additional state-specific projects, which are relevant for their socio-economic needs.
• E-Governance would be promoted through centralised initiative to the extent necessary that would ensure citizen centric service orientation, interoperability of various e-Governance applications and optimal utilisation of ICT infrastructure/ resources, while adopting a decentralised implementation model.
• Successes would be identified and their replication would promote along with its customisation whenever it is necessary.
• Public Private Partnership would be preferred whenever necessary for implementation of e-Governance projects but with adequate management and strategic control.
• To facilitate identification, authentication and delivery of benefits, adoption of unique ID would be promoted.
• For faster designing, developing and implementation of the e-Governance projects positions of Chief Information Officers (CIO) would be created in at least 10 key Ministries.

Pillars of Digital India:

• Broadband availability for all
• Universal access to mobile connectivity
• Public Internet access programme
• e-Governance- transforming government through technology
• E-Kranti-electronic delivery of services
• Information for all
• Electronic manufacturing
• IT for jobs
• Early harvest programmes