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Context

The integration of technology in governance utilizes digital tools to enhance government-citizen interaction, service delivery, transparency, and responsiveness throughout public administration.

Transformative Power of Technology in Governance: Key Pillars

Enhanced Public Service Delivery

Governments are using digital technology to efficiently deliver essential services like health, education, and social welfare directly to citizens.

The UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-Age Governance) app offers over 2,300 services across 23 languages from central to local government bodies, with 8.21 crore registrations as of May 2025. (Source: DD News)

Promoting Transparency and Accountability

Digital platforms, like the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, enhance transparency by creating verifiable digital records and reducing discretion, directly transferring welfare benefits to beneficiaries and thus minimizing corruption.

Between 2009 and 2024, DPT saved ₹3.48 lakh crore by reducing welfare delivery leakages. This resulted in a reduction of subsidy allocations from 16% to 9% of total government expenditure. (Source: PIB)

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal has improved transparency in public procurement, with transactions reaching ₹5.4 lakh crore in 2024-25. (Source: PIB)

Promoting Citizen Participation and Engagement

Technology has enhanced citizen engagement with the government through platforms like MyGov, allowing individuals to contribute ideas and participate in policy development.

Social media connects diverse populations and facilitates dialogue, while mobile applications increase public involvement by providing accessible information and government services.

Boosting Administrative Efficiency

Automation and digital workflows are transforming government operations by reducing manual effort, accelerating processes, and lowering costs.  

Strengthening National Security and Data Management

Advanced technologies improve law enforcement, border management, and critical infrastructure protection, while digital systems facilitate secure data management for national security and policy.

The development of digital public infrastructure (DPI) like Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker provides a robust framework for secure digital interactions.

Initiatives to promote technology in administration and governance

Foundational Digital Infrastructure

• Aadhaar (Unique Identification Authority of India - UIDAI): A biometric-based unique identification system providing a 12-digit number to residents, serving as the foundation for various services and direct benefit transfers.
• BharatNet (National Optical Fibre Network - NOFN): Provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (village councils) across the country, bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
• MeghRaj (GI Cloud): Offer central and state government departments a cloud computing environment for optimal IT infrastructure use.
• Common Services Centres (CSCs): A network of over 5.84 lakh physical centers, that provide access to over 800 e-services, including government schemes, education, and financial services, to rural citizens. 

Digital Services and Platforms

• DigiLocker: A platform for secure digital issuance and verification of documents like driving licenses, mark sheets, and insurance policies, eliminating physical copies.
• e-Sign: An online electronic signature service allowing citizens to digitally sign documents legally and securely.
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and BHIM: Digital payment system that facilitates instant, simple, and seamless peer-to-peer and merchant payment transactions, driving financial inclusion and a cashless economy.
• e-Courts: A project leveraging technology for improved provisioning of judicial services, including case information and online access to court records.
• e-Sanjeevani and e-Hospital: Initiatives that provide online medical consultation services (telemedicine) and manage hospital information systems (HMIS) to connect patients, doctors, and hospitals digitally, transforming healthcare delivery.
• AI and Blockchain Initiatives: Government has established the IndiaAI mission and Centres of Excellence for emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain to promote innovation in sectors like health, agriculture, and sustainable cities.
• BHASHINI: An AI-enabled multi-language translation tool under the National Language Translation Mission, aimed at bridging linguistic divides. 

Challenges in leveraging technology for governance

Persistent Digital Divide

• 47% of the Indian population lacked internet access. (Source: India Mobile Congress 2025)
• Rural-urban disparity: 24% of rural households have the internet vs 66% in cities. (Source: NSSO)
• Gender disparity: Men are nearly twice as likely to use the internet (49%) as women (25%). (Source: National Family Health Survey)
• This limits e-governance reach and leads to digital exclusion.

Cybersecurity Threats and Data Privacy

• Digitized government services are vulnerable to cyberattacks (phishing, ransomware, data breaches).
• In 2023, 83% of Indian organizations experienced cybersecurity incidents, with 48% reporting multiple incidents and significant financial losses. (Source: Cloudflare)

Ethical Considerations of AI

• AI in governance raises concerns about algorithmic bias, accountability for AI decisions, and potential for surveillance.
• Implementing AI requires ensuring fairness, transparency, and human oversight.
• The IndiaAI mission emphasizes developing ethical AI frameworks, including initiatives for Safe and Trusted AI.

Gaps in Capacity Building and Digital Literacy

• Many citizens, especially in rural areas, lack digital skills to use online government services.
• Less than one-third of individuals in the 15-29 age group can perform basic internet functions such as searching for information, sending or receiving emails, and conducting online transactions. (Source: National Statistical Office)
• Limited digital literacy hinders e-governance platform adoption.
• A shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals and an evolving threat landscape challenge government agencies.

Way Forward 

Bridge the Digital Divide

Expanding broadband infrastructure in rural areas and implementing tailored digital literacy programs are essential for digital inclusion. Initiatives like BharatNet are key to providing high-speed internet to all Gram Panchayats.

Strengthen Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

A comprehensive strategy for strengthening national cybersecurity involves national policies, advanced threat detection, updated data protection, a skilled workforce, and public education on online safety.

Develop Ethical AI Frameworks

Establish clear guidelines for the responsible development and deployment of AI in public services, ensuring algorithmic fairness, transparency, and accountability.

Encourage Public-Private Partnerships

Collaborate with private sector technology firms and startups to leverage their expertise, innovation, and resources in developing and implementing e-governance solutions.

Promote Interoperability

Ensure seamless integration and data exchange between different government systems and platforms to provide citizens with a truly unified experience.

Conclusion

Digital transformation initiatives, like Digital India and DBT, are crucial for modern governance, promoting efficiency and transparency, but require continuous effort to overcome challenges such as the digital divide and cybersecurity threats to achieve a truly digital and united nation.

Source: NEWSONAIR