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Transforming India: A Comprehensive Overview of the Digital India Programme
Introduction:
In July 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Digital India (DI) Mission, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey towards a technologically advanced and digitally empowered nation. The DI Mission is a visionary initiative aimed at integrating digital technologies into public services, fostering digital literacy, and positioning India as a leading knowledge economy. This article explores key components of the Digital India Programme, highlighting its impact on governance, citizen empowerment, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in various sectors.
Governance and Services on Demand:
The Digital India Programme focuses on seamless integration of processes and information across government departments, ensuring real-time service delivery to citizens through online and mobile platforms. This initiative aims to create a digitally enabled, cashless economy by harnessing cloud-based repositories and Geographic Information System (GIS) for improved planning and decision-making.
Digital Empowerment of Citizens:
To achieve digital empowerment, the programme emphasizes providing digital literacy and services in various Indian languages. Initiatives include collaborative digital platforms, online availability of documents and certificates, and cloud-based entitlements. The budget allocations for projects like BharatNet, Skill India, and Quantum Computing underscore the government’s commitment to advancing digital empowerment.
Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS):
AEPS, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), utilizes Aadhaar cards for financial transactions, promoting a cashless economy. With over 208 million transactions recorded till October 2019, AEPS showcases the success of this initiative. NITI Aayog’s exploration of AI in AEPS highlights potential applications, including multilingual chatbots for customer assistance and ensuring secure transactions.
MyGov Platform:
Launched in 2014, MyGov encourages participatory governance by providing citizens a platform to express their views on policymaking. The platform, with over 9.5 million engaged users, undergoes constant upgrades. AI integration in MyGov holds promise for creating interactive chatbots, real-time data analysis, content filtering, and automated reporting to relevant ministries.
National Mission in Education through ICT (NMEICT):
NMEICT, a centrally sponsored scheme, focuses on leveraging ICT in education. The mission aims to distribute valuable content through portals like Sakshat, avoiding duplication of freely available online content. AI’s role in enhancing educational interventions is crucial, offering opportunities for adaptive learning tools, intelligent tutoring systems, and content accessibility across languages.
Smart Cities:
The Smart City Mission aims to develop cities with robust infrastructure, sustainability, and inclusivity. AI’s transformative role in turning ‘smart cities’ into ‘intelligent cities’ involves utilizing data for predictive intelligence. NITI Aayog’s exploration of AI applications in smart parks and facilities demonstrates the potential for AI to enhance safety, accessibility, and efficiency in urban development.
E-Pathshala:
Under the NCERT, E-Pathshala disseminates educational resources through mobile apps and websites. AI’s potential in E-Pathshala includes text-to-speech and text translation systems to facilitate accessibility and interoperability among teachers across states, contributing to a more inclusive education system.
E-Prison:
The E-Prison initiative focuses on digitizing and integrating prison-related activities. The implementation of AI-based video analytics platforms, such as the Jarvis system, in Uttar Pradesh’s prisons showcases the successful integration of AI to address security concerns, inmate monitoring, and breach detection.
Farmer Portal:
The Farmer Portal, designed as a one-stop destination for agricultural information, explores AI applications for image recognition, drone technology, and machine learning. Successful implementations like the AI-Sowing app demonstrate the potential for AI to enhance precision farming, predict yields, and provide valuable advice to farmers.
Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN):
While official documents do not explicitly mention AI, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget 2020 speech highlights the use of deep data analytics and AI tools to combat GST-related frauds. The emphasis on using AI for invoice matching and fraud detection indicates the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for efficient tax administration.
Khoya Paya:
Khoya Paya, an initiative under Digital India, engages citizens in reporting missing and found children. The proposed integration of an Automated Facial Recognition System (AFRS), leveraging AI technology, aims to enhance the portal’s capabilities in preventing and solving crimes related to missing minors.
Kisan Suvidha:
The Kisan Suvidha mobile application provides farmers with relevant information on weather, market prices, and agricultural practices. The National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence underscores the potential of AI tools and big data analytics to improve the accuracy of information related to supply and demand, contributing to the government’s goal of doubling farmers’ income.
National Knowledge Network (NKN):
NKN, a pan-India network, facilitates communication among educational and research institutions. The integration of AI through the AIRAWAT platform emphasizes the importance of a common cloud infrastructure to enhance research capabilities and reduce operational costs.
Online Labs (OLABS):
OLABS, a virtual learning platform, offers over 130 virtual labs for students. NITI Aayog’s recognition of AI’s potential in adaptive learning tools and interactive tutoring systems aligns with the platform’s goal of providing quality education to students in geographically challenging areas.
Project Monitoring Website for E-courts:
The E-Court project monitoring website, designed to automate decision-making in courts, acknowledges the use of AI technologies such as data transfer to the cloud, big data mining, and blockchain. The adoption of AI in the judiciary demonstrates the government’s commitment to streamlining administrative processes and improving efficiency.
Swachh Bharat App:
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, focused on sanitation and cleanliness, utilizes the Swachh Bharat app to monitor toilet construction projects. The integration of facial recognition software, supported by AI, enhances the accuracy of monitoring and ensures the efficient implementation of cleanliness initiatives.
Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance:
The Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance, with over 1,200 central and state e-services, showcases the government’s commitment to e-Governance. The potential implementation of AI-based chatbots and voice assistants aligns with the evolving landscape of digital governance.
Aadhaar:
Aadhaar, the world’s largest biometric-based identification system, plays a pivotal role in the Digital India mission. While specific mentions of AI in official documents are limited, the seamless integration of Aadhaar with various services, including facial recognition and voice-enabled chatbots, demonstrates the inherent integration of AI technologies.
NASSCOM-led Centre for Excellence for Internet:
The Centre for Excellence for Internet of Things (IoT) aims to foster the IoT ecosystem. The introduction of AI for Enterprise by NASSCOM underscores the collaborative efforts to showcase successful AI solutions and drive innovation across enterprises.
Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In):
CERT-In, responsible for cybersecurity, acknowledges the growing cybersecurity concerns with connected devices. The discussion paper by NITI Aayog highlights AI as a potential solution to address cybersecurity challenges, emphasizing the need for AI-centric elements in the upcoming National Cyber Security Strategy 2020.
Common Service Centres (CSCs):
CSCs serve as access points for citizens in rural areas to access various services. The partnership between CSC and NEC Technologies India to harness AI and data analytics exemplifies the commitment to using innovative technologies to enhance the quality of life in rural India.
Government e-Marketplace (GeM):
GeM, an e-marketplace initiative, has expressed the vision of using AI to bring cognitive computing capabilities. The integration of AI assistants and technologies like voice and image recognition showcases GeM’s commitment to leveraging AI for automating decision-making processes and improving user experience.
IRCTC Connect:
IRCTC Connect, the e-ticketing application for Indian Railways, introduced the AI-enabled chatbot ‘Ask Disha’ to address user queries. This initiative reflects the government’s embrace of AI to enhance customer service and streamline online ticketing processes.
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS):
CCTNS, under the National e-Governance Plan, focuses on creating an integrated system for efficient crime tracking and detection. The incorporation of AI-based tools for criminal data analysis and the proposed AFRS highlight the government’s recognition of AI’s potential in enhancing law enforcement capabilities.
Conclusion:
The Digital India Programme encompasses a diverse range of initiatives aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered nation. From enhancing governance and citizen services to leveraging AI in various sectors, the programme reflects the government’s commitment to harnessing technology for inclusive development. As India continues on its path of digital transformation, the integration of AI in key sectors promises to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and contribute to the country’s progress as a global technology leader.
