E-governance is the application of information and communication technologies to transform the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of informational and transactional exchanges within government, between government & govt.
agencies of National, State, Municipal, and Local levels, citizens & businesses, and to empower citizens through access & use of information. Countries throughout the world have implemented electronic government or e-government.
E-governance has become essential in a fast-growing and demanding economy like India, In the fast-paced digital era, the Indian government has been proactively steering the nation towards a more efficient and transparent administrative system through the adoption of e-governance. E-governance, or electronic governance, involves the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enhance the delivery of government services, streamline administrative processes, and promote citizen engagement
E-GOVERNANCE: INITIATIVES IN INDIA
Several key initiatives have been launched to promote and strengthen e-governance in India, contributing to a more connected and responsive government.
1. National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
One of the foundational pillars of e-governance in India is the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), launched in 2006. NeGP is a comprehensive initiative aimed at transforming the delivery of government services to citizens and businesses. It focuses on creating the necessary infrastructure, promoting capacity building, and implementing various projects to bring about a holistic change in governance practices. The NeGP seeks to enhance the provision of government services to the citizens and enterprises to have the programs available to society while maintaining quality, accountability, continuity, and effective service delivery at manageable costs.
2. Digital India
Launched in 2015, the Digital India initiative is a flagship program with the vision of transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. This ambitious program encompasses various projects that aim to bridge the digital divide, promote digital literacy, and ensure the delivery of government services to citizens electronically. The initiative focuses on areas such as broadband connectivity, electronic manufacturing, e-governance, and digital literacy.
3. Aadhaar
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) – Aadhaar, the world’s largest biometric ID system, is a unique initiative that has significantly impacted e-governance in India. The UIDAI issues a 12-digit unique identity number, Aadhaar, to residents based on their biometric and demographic data. Aadhaar has become a crucial tool for identity verification and has been integrated into various government services, facilitating a seamless and efficient delivery mechanism.
4. E-Kranti
Launched as part of the Digital India program, e-Kranti is a framework that aims to leverage technology for the rapid transformation of e-governance. It focuses on electronic delivery of services, universal phone connectivity, public Wi-Fi services, and electronic manufacturing. The e-Kranti initiative seeks to enable citizens to access government services through multiple channels, promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
5. Unified Mobile App for New-age Governance (UMANG)
UMANG is a mobile application that consolidates various government services and allows citizens to access them through a single platform. Launched in 2017, UMANG provides over 1200 services from central and state government departments, local bodies, and other government agencies. The app is designed to offer convenience to citizens by providing a unified and user-friendly interface for accessing a wide range of services.
6. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) – Mobile App
The Swachh Bharat Mission, aimed at achieving a clean and open defecation-free India, introduced a mobile app to strengthen citizen engagement. The app allows users to report instances of open defecation, littering, and unclean public spaces. By leveraging technology and citizen participation, the Swachh Bharat Mission demonstrates how e-governance can be utilized to address social issues effectively.
7. Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN)
The implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India brought about a revolutionary change in the country’s indirect tax structure. The GSTN serves as the IT backbone for the GST regime, providing a robust technology platform for taxpayers and tax authorities. This initiative not only streamlined taxation processes but also showcased the pivotal role of technology in modernizing governance.
8. GeM Portal
GeM is a short form of one-stop ‘Government eMarketplace’ hosted by the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, where common user goods and services can be procured. GeM is a dynamic, self-sustaining, and user-friendly portal for procurement by Government officers. Public procurement forms a very important part of Government activity and reform in Public Procurement is one of the top priorities of the present Government. Government e-marketplace is a very bold step of the Government with the aim to transform the way in which procurement of goods and services is done by the Government Ministries and Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, and other apex autonomous bodies of the Central Government.
9. Digi Locker
Digi Locker is a key initiative under Digital India, the Government of India’s flagship program aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Targeted at the idea of paperless governance, Digi Locker is a platform for the issuance and verification of documents & certificates in a digital way, thus eliminating the use of physical documents
10. PMG-Disha
The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan is a dynamic and integrated platform of digital literacy awareness, education, and capacity programs that will help rural communities fully participate in the global digital economy. The focus is on making technology central to enabling change.
Conclusion
As we all know, these govt. initiatives have helped to promote e-governance and digitization across India, through CSC Seva Center making government services more accessible, efficient, and transparent for citizens.
As technology continues to evolve, these initiatives serve as a foundation for future innovations in e-governance, paving the way for a more connected, inclusive, and digitally empowered India by offering CSC Seva Services.
Through sustained efforts and strategic investments, the government aims to create a governance ecosystem that not only meets the current needs of the population but also adapts to the dynamic challenges of the digital age. For more updated information you can avail of our CSC Center services.