Facing a growing digital divide, exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian Government installed a comprehensive program to increase digital accessibility and literacy. The program serves three primary objectives: developing a secure and stable digital infrastructure, providing government services digitally, and achieving universal digital literacy. Adhering to the aims of the Global Peace Index, outlined by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the program prioritises inclusive economic growth, believing that by stimulating economic growth, social cohesion and stability can be increased. In service of these goals, the Digital India initiative focuses on connecting rural regions with high-speed internet access and promoting e-governance, effectively delivering essential services electronically. The program aims to digitise several sectors, including education, healthcare, and agriculture, to improve access to these crucial services for millions of residents, primarily in rural areas.
One of the projects under Digital India is the National eGovernance Plan (NeGP), launched in 2006 and integrated into the broader Digital India vision. The NeGP aims to make all government services accessible to citizens through electronic media, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and reliability of services at affordable costs. Another significant initiative is the development of Common Service Centres (CSCs) across the country. These centres serve as access points for essential public utility services, social welfare schemes, healthcare, financial, education, and agriculture services in rural and remote areas.
Concurrently, the National Digital Literacy Mission and the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan scheme aim to make at least one person in every Indian family digitally literate. These programs focus on imparting basic digital skills, enabling individuals to use digital devices, access the internet, and participate in the digital economy. However, the scale of the challenge is immense. With a population of over 1.3 billion, ensuring widespread digital literacy requires sustained effort and substantial resources. Moreover, the rapid pace of technological change means that digital literacy programs must continually evolve to relevant.
Despite its ambitious goals and comprehensive approach, the implementation of Digital India faces several challenges. As of 2020, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reported that about a third of the world’s population still does not use the internet. In developing countries like India, this digital divide is particularly pronounced between urban and rural areas. The disparity is stark: while 76% of urban households globally had internet access at home in 2020, this number was significantly lower at 39% of rural households. For India, with its vast rural population, bridging this gap is crucial to ensure inclusive economic growth.
Infrastructure remains a significant hurdle, particularly in remote and rural areas. The lack of reliable electricity supply, coupled with the high cost of setting up broadband networks in sparsely populated regions, poses substantial challenges to achieving universal connectivity. Affordability is another critical issue. While mobile data prices in India are among the lowest in the world, the cost of smartphones and computers remains prohibitive for many low-income families. This creates a barrier to entry for a significant portion of the population.
The program, as highlighted by IEP’s research on peace and security, aims to enhance digital inclusiveness, thereby promoting social stability and peace. The program addresses the root cause of conflict and tension, being a lack of stable income and streamlined access to innovative and essential services. This initiative works to reduce disparities and foster a more equitable digital landscape, therefore stimulating economic growth and ensuring the benefits of this increase are inclusive of all social groups.
The potential impact of Digital India on economic growth and social development is significant, particularly in rural areas. Digital platforms can enable small businesses to reach wider markets, farmers to access real-time information on weather and market prices, and individuals to access online education and job opportunities.
The program also has the potential to improve governance and service delivery. E-governance initiatives can reduce corruption, increase transparency, and make government services more accessible to citizens. For instance, the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme, which uses digital platforms to transfer government subsidies directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, has helped reduce leakages and improve efficiency in welfare delivery.
As India continues its digital transformation journey, the success of the Digital India program will be measured not just in terms of infrastructure development or the number of services digitised but in how effectively it bridges the digital divide and ensures that the benefits of the digital revolution reach every citizen, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the importance of digital connectivity and literacy. As remote work, online education, and telemedicine became necessities during lockdowns, the digital divide became even more apparent. This has given new impetus to the Digital India program and highlighted areas that need urgent attention.
Moving forward, the program will need to address several key challenges:
The road ahead for Digital India is long and complex, but the potential rewards – a more connected, informed, and economically empowered population – make it a journey worth undertaking. As the program evolves, its ability to address these challenges will be crucial in realising the vision of a truly digital India.
The Digital India program represents a bold attempt to harness the power of technology for national development. While challenges remain, the program’s potential to drive inclusive growth, improve governance, and empower citizens aligns closely with the principles of Positive Peace as outlined by the IEP. As India navigates its digital transformation, the world watches with interest, recognising that the success of this mammoth endeavour could provide valuable lessons for other developing nations on their own paths to digital inclusion.
BasiGo has introduced electric buses to Kenya's public transport, improving urban mobility. Aligning with IEP’s research, the organisation serves...
Save the Waves has implemented a parametric policy to protect surf ecosystems & coastal communities from the threats posed by increasing extreme...
Identifying and measuring the factors that drive peace
Analysing ecological threats, resilience and peace.
