New Delhi, July 13 (APAC Media): Launched in July 2015, the Digital India Programme has become the foundation of India’s digital economy and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Over the past 11 years, it has transformed the country into a global leader in digital governance by expanding internet access, strengthening public services, and accelerating digital adoption across sectors.
Today, the digital economy contributes 12–14% of India’s GDP, supported by affordable internet, widespread digital infrastructure, and growing adoption of online services.
Key Milestones
- India’s internet connections have increased fourfold to more than 1.02 billion.
- The average cost of 1 GB of mobile data has declined from around ₹270 to ₹8–10, making India one of the world’s most affordable internet markets.
- UPI transactions have grown from 2 crore in FY2016-17 to over 24,162 crore in FY2025-26, making India a global leader in digital payments.
- eSaras, the government’s digital commerce platform, now connects 8.99 crore Self-Help Group (SHG) members, enabling women entrepreneurs, producer collectives and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to sell products across the country.
Nine Pillars of Digital India
The programme is built around nine key pillars that have driven digital transformation across governance and public services:
- Broadband Highways: Around 2.15 lakh Gram Panchayats connected through BharatNet.
- Universal Mobile Connectivity: Broadband subscriber base increased to 106.58 crore.
- Public Internet Access: More than 6.5 lakh Common Service Centres and 1.6 lakh post offices provide digital services.
- E-Governance: Initiatives such as DigiLocker and the National Single Sign-On ecosystem have simplified citizen services.
- e-Kranti: Platforms including e-Hospital, e-Sanjeevani and e-Courts have accelerated digital governance.
- Information for All: Platforms such as MyGov and the Open Government Data portal promote transparency and citizen participation.
- Electronics Manufacturing: Production increased from Rs 1.9 lakh crore in FY2014-15 to nearly Rs 12 lakh crore by March 2026.
- IT for Jobs: India’s IT and ITeS industry generated an estimated USD 283 billion in revenue in FY25.
- Early Harvest Programmes: Public Wi-Fi, eBooks, and SMS-based citizen services have improved digital accessibility.
Challenges Ahead
Despite significant progress, several challenges remain:
- Rising cybersecurity threats amid increasing digital adoption.
- Greater coordination required between central and state agencies.
- Strengthening domestic innovation through investments in talent, research, and digital infrastructure.
The Road Ahead
The Digital India Programme has played a crucial role in expanding digital inclusion, improving welfare delivery through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and promoting entrepreneurship beyond major cities.
Going forward, the focus is shifting towards emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and quantum computing, while addressing cybersecurity, data privacy, and innovation to support India’s next phase of digital growth.
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