CHAPTER 2

E-GOVERNANCE IN INDIA

Introduction

A vast discussion on the basic features of e-governance, in the previous chapter, denotes
the usage of (ICTs) in public service delivery to support government administration and
to strengthen democratic processes and relationships among citizens and the government
across the world. This chapter throws further light on the evolution, development, and the
present status of e-Governance in India.

Being a culturally, traditionally, geographically, demographically, and

economically diverse nation, India is a union of its type. It is the nation that still largely
decides through the equations of caste, religion, and economic conditions. Effective
implementation of various socio-economic development projects and programs is still an
issue, which demands innovatively designed governance solutions. e-Governance
emerged as an excellent provider for these innovative governance solutions to the
problems of developing nations. E-governance is a sort of trigger for introducing various
structural and governance reforms in these countries for not only improving the quality of
life but also provide the public services in a more equitable and accessible manner. In this
context, e-governance appeared as a strategic tool for the Government of India. India is
demonstrating significant success in the introduction and implementation of e-
governance initiative and the government is claiming the improved levels of accessibility
and corruption-free service delivery to the citizens.

Evolution of e-Governance in India

In India, e-Governance has established its foundation initially in the form of

computerization of departmental records of Government and then gradually marched
towards the various initiatives that encapsulate the ideals of Good Governance such as
citizen-centric administration, accountability, transparency, service orientation, etc.
Initially, in the 1970s, the use of computers in statistical applications such as census,
elections, economic planning, and tax administration led to the introduction of

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information technology into the Indian administration. It was during this period that the
Government of India set up the Department of Electronics.

The pillar of e-Governance in India was established with the launching of a

nationwide satellite-based network of the National Informatics Centre (NICNET) in
1987. After that, this network was spread to the district level with the launch of the
District Information System of the National Informatics Centre (DISNIC) program in
1990. DISNIC aimed to computerize all district offices in the country. The major e-
governance initiatives included some major projects such as computerization of railways
and land records etc., which focused mainly on the development of information systems.
Later on, e-governance in India took a broader dimension in the mid-1990s with
emphasis on citizen-centric services with the launching of many state-level individual e-
initiatives aimed at providing electronic services to citizens.

Gradually, in the succeeding years, with the developments in the fields of tele-
connectivity and internet connectivity, the Indian administration moved towards the
launching of a variety of e-initiatives with help of National and State level governments.
The enactment of the Information Technology Act in 2000 was also another milestone in
the progress of e-governance in India, specifically in the field of cybercrimes and e-
commerce.

The major revolutionary boost arrived in 2006, with the formulation of the
National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) of India. This was the joint endeavor of the
Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITY) and the Department of
Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

In 2015, the Government of India launched a flagship program named as Digital

India to ensure the electronic delivery of public services to citizens. This campaign
focused on digital infrastructure development, digital service delivery, and digital
literacy. Some of the initiatives launched under the umbrella of Digital India campaign
include Accessible India Campaign and Mobile app, AEPS (Aadhaar Enabled Payment
System), Bharat Net, BHIM(Bharat Interface For Money), Common Service Centers
(CSC), Digidhan Abhiyaan, DigiLocker, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), e-Cabinet, e-
District, e-Education, e-Health, e-Hospital, e-Office, e-Panchayat, e-Pathshala, e-Pragati,

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e-Sign, e-Shopping, Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), IRCTC Rail Connect,
Kisan Suvidha, MeghRaj, MyGov Portal, Nirbhaya App, NREGA-Soft, NSP (National
Scholarship Portal), OPENFORGE, Pahal (DBTL), Parivahan Portal, Pradhan Mantri
Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA), Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana
(PMJDY), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Swatchh Bharat App,
SWAYAM, Single Window Interface For Trade (SWIFT), UDAAN and UMANG, Un-
Reserved Ticket Through Mobile Application (UTS APP), etc. Some other major
renowned projects at Central level includes Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance
System, Bharat Maps, e-Courts Mission Mode Project, e-Lekha, e-Procurement, National
Centre of Geo-Informatics (NCoG), Networks by National Informatics Centre (NICNET,
National Knowledge Network, Data Centers), National Portal of India and Public
Financial Monitoring System (PFMS), etc.

Over time, numerous projects and programs have been undertaken by

Governments at State levels also for successful adoption of e-Governance, specifically in
the fields of public service delivery to make it more efficient and effective for citizens as
well as administration. “India has done a remarkable start in terms of using ICT for
improving government business. Several states in India – Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
being the pioneers – have been attempting e-Governance solutions to improve
information management and governance. States have set up Information Technology
and Communication (IT&C) Departments to guide and coordinate the implementation of
e-governance programs and projects.” 1

These initiatives have made creditable advancement in the development of e-

Governance. Some major renowned projects at State level include Antyodaya Saral in
Haryana, e-Seva and Real-Time Pollution Monitoring System (RTPMS) in Andhra
Pradesh, e-Forest Fire (Himalayan Forest Fire Prediction) in Arunachal Pradesh, Sakoon
in Jammu and Kashmir, Bhoomi in Karnataka, WeDeserve (Right assistance to the Right
Person at the Right Time) in Kerala, Loucha Pathap [Online Land Record
Computerization and National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS)] in
Manipur, GO SWIFT (Government of Odisha Single Window for Investor Facilitation
1
Mohanty, P.K., “Using e-Tools for Good Governance & Administrative Reforms”, published online at
URL <www.cgg.gov.in/workingpapers/eGovPaperARC.pdf> [Accessed: 13/07/2013]

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and Tracking) in Odisha, WSAPS (Wildlife Surveillance and Anti-Poaching System) in
Rajasthan and T-Chits in Telangana, etc. These projects have become role models and
have been emulated by other states in the country.

Apart from building the technical infrastructure required for e-Governance, the
Government of India also builds its institutional capacity by training employees and
recruitment of e-governance experts in the form of advisory groups. The Government
equipped its departments with upgraded technology and has also established special
agencies such as DIC, NeGD, etc. For better implementation of e-governance, the
Government framed laws, plans, and policies such as NeGP, IT Act 2000, National IT
Policy 2012, etc. These documents incorporated the current and emerging future
technology. GoI has also modified many existed legislations to include e-governance.
The governments at central and state levels published a plethora of information online on
its websites and official portal facilitated through centralized data centers. The
Government worked on standards management in the areas of interoperability, security,
technical and, quality standards. Websites of government at central and state levels
currently do not have uniform standard and it is very important to established uniformity
in the content management of these websites.

National Informatics Centre

Being the pioneer institution for e-Governance in India, National Informatics

Centre (NIC) is providing ICT and technical expertise and support to the GoI, since its
establishment in 1976. NIC, through its nationwide communication network (NICNET),
has linked with all the Ministries/Departments of the Central and State Governments and
Union Territories. This institutional linkage is spread across all districts of India. It
played a catalytic role in creating awareness about informatics-led-development and in
ensuring reliable, timely, and accurate information for optimal resource utilization. It also
offered distance-independent, cheap, scalable, and easily deployable digital solutions to
support the government at various levels. NIC undertakes the major activities such as
setting up of ICT Infrastructure, across the country, implementation of e-Governance
projects & products at central and state level of governments, providing consultancy to

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the Government departments, research and development in e-Governance, and capacity
building of government employees.

NIC provides a multi-GB nationwide network of ICT infrastructure of NICNET,

command and control center, data centers, domain registration, and digital identity. The
government made NIC as an authorized registrar for ‘Gov.in’ vide F. No. L-13-14-
2014_IGD dated 06-04-2015. NIC issued a domain name following the guidelines issued
by MEITY.2 Apart from these messaging services (e-mail and SMS), GIS-based
platform, connecting government through LAN, NKN, National Cloud, pan India video
conferencing, and webcast facilities, etc. It has also been associated with the design and
development of software for improving public service delivery of services across States,
UTs, and Districts. NIC State and District centers are ‘continually engaged to automate
and accelerate e-governance processes in close interaction with Government
Departments’ for designing, developing and implementing various e-Governance
initiatives/products/projects and DeITY programs such as Digital India, CSCs, DISHA,
e-Governance Society, etc.3

The various key central level initiative, products, and project designed, developed
and operated by NIC include BhuNaksha, DARPAN, e-Counselling, e-Courts, e-
Hospital, e-Office, e-Prisons, e-Procurement, e-Taal, e-Transport, e-Urvarak, IVFRT,
Jeevan Pramaan, Manav Samapada, MyGov, NEVA, NREGASoft, NSP, OGD Platform,
PARIVESH, PDS, PFMS, S3WaaS, Service Plus, Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin, etc.
The various key state-level initiative, products, and projects designed, developed, and
operated by NIC include Integrated Shala Darpan, Kanyashree in West Bengal, and Mid-
Day Meal-Automated Reporting Management System, etc. and discussed in the further
sections of the present chapter.

NIC-CERT Division

NIC-CERT is the nodal arm of NIC for managing the cyber threats and
cybersecurity incidents targeted at NIC Infrastructure. It was established to facilitate a

2
https://registry.gov.in/Gov.In%20Guidelines.pdf [Accessed: 20/11/2019]
3
https://www.nic.in [Accessed: 30/04/2019]

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safe and secure cyberspace environment by providing timely intelligence, advisory, and
best practices concerned with cyber threats.4

The numerous e-initiatives by NIC accredited with various National level e-

Governance Awards Forums such as CSI-Nihilent, CSI-SIG, Gems of Digital India,
Governance Now, GovInsider, IDC, National Conferences on e-Governance (DARPG),
SKOCH, etc. The recent list of awards is mentioned in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 Awards and Recognition to NIC

Award Initiatives/NICs/Product/Project
CSI-Nihilent Manav Sampada (2018)
e-Governance Award NIC, Maharashtra (2018)
NIC, Rajasthan (2018)
S3WaaS (2018)
CSI SIG e-Governance Cooperation MIS Software (2019)
Award Him Pragati (2019)
Integrated Shala Darpan Portal (2019)
MIS portal for Scheme of Jan Shikshan Sansthan,
MSDE (2019)
NIC, Madhya Pradesh (2019)
OGD Platform (2019)
Online PHT System of NIC Lakshadweep (2019)
PCTS Mobile App (2019)
Rajasthan Business Register ‘BR’ Portal (2019)
e-Health Healthcare ASHA-Soft, Rajasthan (2015)
Leader’s Award
Gems of Digital India Award DigiDhan Dashboard (2019)
e-District of Uttar Pradesh (2019)
Manav Sampada (2018)
Mid-Day Meal - Automated Reporting Management
System (2019)
The software of NIC (2018)

4
https://nic-cert.nic.in [Accessed: 30/04/2019]

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 GovInsider Innovation NIC, India (2019)
Award
Governance Now Digital Content Management Framework Project (2019)
Transformation Awards DigiDhan Dashboard (2019)
GRIP application (2019)
MIS Portal for Scheme of Jan Shikshan Sansthan
(NGO) (2019)
NCLT e-Court Project (2019)
Official website of Kottayam District, Kerala (2019)
IDC Insights Awards MIS portal for Scheme of Jan Shikshan Sansthan,
MSDE (2019)
Indian Express ‘Digital NIC, India (2019)
Leader Outstanding
Contribution in the
Northeast’ Award
National e-Governance Antyodaya Saral, Haryana, (2020)
Awards 2020 e-Office (2020)
Manipur’s Loucha Patha-Land Record
Computerization and NGDRS, (2020)
Open Group President’s NIC, India (2018)
Award for Innovation and
Excellence
PM Award for Excellence in NIC, Chattisgarh
Public Administration
SKOCH Award IGKV, Raipur (2017-18)
MIS portal of Scheme of Jan Shikshan Sansthan,
MSDE (2019)
Source: Official Website of NIC

Role of Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances

(DARPG) in e-Governance

Since independence, GoI has witnessed a major change from the traditional role
of a regulator to that of a facilitator and service provider. This change in the role,

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mounted aspirations of the public in a changing environment necessitated the need for
administrative reforms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of administration.
Several commissions and committees have suggested various measures, which resulted in
introducing the major reforms. One such important recommendation was the
establishment of the O & M Division as recommended by Paul H. Appleby. This was
established in 1954 in the Cabinet Secretariat and got shifted under the charge of the
newly established Department of Administrative Reforms in 1964. In 1973, the
Department got merged with the Department of Personnel with new nomenclature as
Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms. The charge of the Department was
shifted from Cabinet Secretariat to the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1977 and later in
1985, it was raised to a full-fledged Ministry of Personnel and Training, Administrative
Reforms, Public Grievances, and Pensions. In 1985 the Ministry was re-designated as the
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions with three departments namely,
Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), Department of Administrative
Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and Department of Pension and Pensioners
Welfare. This Ministry was placed under the overall charge of the Prime Minister assisted
by a Minister of State.5

DARPG was set up with the objectives to promote good governance through
administrative reforms. It aims at organizational restructure, reforming process, and
procedures for public service delivery and fostering a citizen-centric approach in
grievance redress mechanism. Its vision is to bring excellence in governance for the
benefit of all citizens by encouraging innovations in e-Governance. In the field of e-
Governance, DARPG recognized excellence and innovation through National e-
Governance Awards every year. Documentation and dissemination of information
regarding best e-practices through two regional conferences and five documentary films,
in a year, is also one of the objectives of the DARPG. It also facilitates the
implementation of e-Office by assisting the ministries and departments. It also focuses on
the redress of public grievances by monitoring the status of grievances and actions taken
by the concerned departments.

5
https://darpg.gov.in [Accessed: 07/07/2020]

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SEVOTTAM MODEL OF SERVICE DELIVERY

DARPG has developed a model, named as Sevottam, as benchmarking excellence

in the government service delivery. Sevottam is a concept comprised of two Hindi words
of Seva and Uttam, which denotes service and excellence respectively. Sevottam is a
framework for organizations to objectively assess and improve the quality of public
service delivery through BPR and usage of IT. This Indian origin model is blended with
international best practices such as the European Foundation for Quality Management
Framework, the US Business Excellence Model, UK Charter Mark, and the Malcolm
Baldrige National Quality Award, along with the ISO 9000 series of standards. It
identified the services and developed norms for delivery through its three ingredients of
formulating Charters, effective public grievance redressal system, and building
institutional capacities for effective resource management to provide excellence.
Sevottam is currently under implementation in various Ministries and Departments
identified based on a large public interface.6

e-Governance and Five Year Plans

The agenda of good governance and sustainable development highlighted the

emergence of ICTs and gave an impetus to e-governance on a large scale. For the
formulation of the 10th Five Year Plan (2002-07), the Planning Commission (PC)
constituted a working group on ‘Convergence and E-governance’ to study the entire
extent of e-Governance and ICTs. This group highlights large-scale computerization,
usage of local languages in IT system, changing the mindset of government functionaries,
adequate infrastructure, standardization in data management, application logic and user
interfaces, knowledge networking, public key infrastructure, and certification authorities,
etc. as some of the important pre-requisites for successful implementation of e-
governance in India. The National Task Force on IT and Software Development
identified Citizen-IT Interface as one of the key requirements and enlisted a series of
services to be delivered. The report of the working group highlighted that State
Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, etc. had
advanced in the implementation of e-governance, whereas others lagged for various
reasons.
6
http://darpg.nic.in/arpg-website/sevottamN.htm [Accessed: 07/07/2020]

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 The report expressed an urgent need for a national-level coordinating body for
guiding the progressive advancement of e-governance in India. It recommended public-
funded projects aimed at the creation of a knowledge society and generation of
intellectual and cultural enrichment with the active involvement of states. It also
recommended standardization of operations and procedures and appreciated the role of
NIC in steering ICT applications in government departments at all levels and suggested
extension of NICNET infrastructure to block level. It recommended extensive BPR in
government. A total of Rs. 1830 Crore and Rs. 850 Crore was earmarked for convergence
of technology and implementation of e-governance respectively.7 Numerous steps were
taken in the 10th Plan period aimed at the successful implementation of e-governance in
India. In 2006, the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) with 27 Mission Mode Projects
was adopted and designed to assist, improve service delivery and digitization of
information.

11th five-year plan further encouraged the implementation of e-governance and

identified it as e- the means to attain the attributes of good governance such as
accountability, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, responsiveness, and transparency. It
highlighted BPR as the first and most crucial element of the agenda of efficient service
delivery. The Plan proposed to create a unique ID (UID) in the G2C domain as a unique
identifier of citizens and Corporate Identity Number (CIN) in G2B domains as a unique
identifier of businesses to create a common service delivery platform. for service
delivery. The Plan appreciated the implementation of NeGP and its various MMPs and
emphasis the extension of e-initiatives to other sectors also. The plan suggested that
concerned ministries should make use of e-Governance and automation techniques in the
implementation of various schemes and projects from the inception stage. The Plan
earmarked Rs 2942 Crore as projected Central assistance to States/UTs for the successful
implementation of NeGP.8

The 11th Plan emphasized reforms in the various other areas for the introduction
of ICT. By the end of the Plan, 60,000 CSCs were in place to provide public service

7
PC, Report of The Working Group On Convergence and E-Governance for The Tenth Five Year Plan
(2002-2007), GoI, November 2001.
8
PC, Eleventh Five Year Plan: Inclusive Growth (2007–2012), Volume I, Oxford University Press, New
Delhi, 2008.

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delivery across the country. It was also planned to expand the optical fiber network to
provide broadband connectivity to each panchayat level. This would help in providing all
services which are available at the panchayat level through e-mode to the citizens.9

The 12th five-year plan (2012-17) identified the usage of ICT by the Indian
Government to reduce pendency in the legal system through e-Courts and appreciated
other MMPs, such as e-Office, e-Procurement, and e-Tendering as a progressive move
towards e-governance. It also appreciates an ambitious initiative of rural connectivity, to
connect 2,50,000 panchayats with fiber-based broadband to improve governance and
service delivery at the grass-root level. It signified the usage of ICTs as an important aid
to service delivery. The Plan mentioned that extensive usage of developing procedures
through e-governance is the best way to prevent corruption and reducing the scope for
administrative malpractices. An extensive review of procedures was also suggested to
simplify the process and procedures. The Plan proposed continuation in the efforts for
further expansion of e-governance and allocated Rs. 3,537 Crore for NeGP
implementation.10

The appraisal report of 12th Plan by NITI Aayog, ‘successor in interest to the
Planning Commission’ stated the urgency for up-scaling of various e- initiatives for
providing universal access to a variety of services to the public. The report suggested that
the “enactment of the Electronic Delivery of Services Act may help in expediting
adoption/implementation of e-governance related projects and mission mode
programs.”11

Information Technology Act, 2000

Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) highlights the impact of e-governance
to bring transparency in the functioning of government by providing legal recognition to
digital transactions, records, and signatures. IT Act is the primary law in India dealing
with cybercrime and e-commerce. After the adoption of the model law on electronic

9
PC, Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012–2017): Faster, More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, Volume I,
Sage Publications, New Delhi, 2013.
10
Ibid.
11
NITI Aayog, Appraisal Document of Twelfth Five Year Plan 2012-17, p.88.

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commerce (e-commerce) in 1996, the UN recommended this to bring uniformity in the
laws across the world. Accordingly, the Indian Government redrafted already existed e-
Commerce Act, 1998 as the ‘IT Bill, 1999’, and passed as the IT Act in 2000. Thus, India
became the 12th country to enable cyber law in the world.

The original Act consists of 94 sections, further divided into 13 chapters and 4
schedules. The Act provides legal recognition to the electronic transactions, digital
signatures for legal authentication facilitates the electronic filing of documents, and
electronic storage of data. It also provides a legal sanction to the electronic transfer of
funds between financial institutions. This Act extends to the entire country and is also
applicable to any offense committed outside India as well. But lack of international
cooperation is the major hindrance to its applicability outside India.

This Act includes penalization of various offenses such as cyber-terrorism,

hacking of electronic devices, misuse of another person’s password, publishing private
pictures of another person without consent, receiving stolen computer or communication
device, and tampering with computer source documents, etc. Sections 66A and 69 were
introduced with an amendment in 2008, which further includes penalizing sending of
‘offensive messages’, also added the provisions related to child porn, cyber terrorism,
pornography, and voyeurism.12

National e-Governance Action Plan, 2004

The GoI had approved the National E-Governance Action Plan (NeGAP) for
implementation during the year 2003-07, The NeGAP was developed for creating
institutional framework e-governance and identified over 20 Mission Mode Projects
(MMPs) at central and state levels under the plan. MMPs of NeGAP covered the wide
range of domains such as banking, central excise, DCA21, income tax, insurance,
National Citizen Database, passport, pensions, and visa and immigration, etc. The plan
envisaged that MMPs for states was to be finalized after consultations with states, in the
fields of agriculture, commercial taxes, gram panchayats, land records, municipalities,
property registration, road transport, and treasury, etc. for e-initiatives. CSCs, e-business,

12
https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/1999/3/A2000-21.pdf [Accessed: 17/07/2020]

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e-commerce, and National Portal of India, etc. were identified as the integrated MMPs.13
This plan further expansion in the form of National e-Governance Plan in 2006.

National e-Governance Plan, 2006

The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) was jointly formulated by the DEITY
and DARPG and approved by GoI on May 18, 2006. The NeGP laid the foundation and
provided a stimulus for the long-term growth of e-governance in India. This plan covered
all the important areas of policy, infrastructure, finances, GPR, project management,
capacity building, etc. across the governments at the center and state level. It is a
comprehensive program of the Indian Government for the usage of ICT to promote e-
governance across the country. Taking a nationwide holistic view of e-initiatives and
integrating them into a collective vision, the plan was launched to improve public service
delivery. The vision of the plan was stated as follows: -

“Make all Government services accessible to the common man in his

locality, through common service delivery outlets and ensure efficiency,
transparency & reliability of such services at affordable costs to realize
the basic needs of the common man.”14

At the time of launching, the NeGP comprised of 27 Mission Mode Projects

(MMPs). Later on, the number of MMPs increased to 31 by adding four new MMPs i.e.
Education, Health, Public Distribution System & Post. Out of these, 24 MMPs are
operational and delivering 222 services out of 252 envisaged.15 The existing or on-going
MMPs are being implemented by various Ministries at the center and state level. Apart
from these MMPs, NeGP also approved common and support core infrastructures of
State Wide Area Network (SWAN), State Data Center (SDC), State Service Delivery
Gateways (SSDG), and National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN).

13
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/govt-okays-national-e-governance-action-
plan-for-03-07/articleshow/497599.cms [Accessed: 03/01/2014, 04:21pm]
14
http://india.gov.in/e-governance/national-e-governance-plan [Accessed: 03/01/2014, 04:21pm]
15
NITI Aayog, op. cit., P.75

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MISSION MODE PROJECTS

MMP is the project within the NeGP that focus on any one particular aspect of e-
governance, such as banking, education, health, land records, etc. ‘Mission Mode’
implies that the project has clearly defined objectives, scopes, and emphasized on clear
timelines and responsibilities for implementation, as well as measurable outcomes and
service levels.

NeGP comprises of 31 MMPs, further classified into the categories of state,

central and integrated projects.16 Prominent central MMPs includes projects related to the
wide range of domains included Automation of Central Excise and Service Tax (ACES),
Banking, e-Office, Immigration, Visa and Foreigners Registration and Tracking
(IVFRT), Insurance, MCA21, National Population Register (NPR), PAN Module and
PAN Related Services, Passport, Pensions, Posts, Tax Information Network (TIN), and
Unique Identification (UID), etc. Some of the Integrated MMPs includes Common
Service Centers (CSCs), e-Biz, e-Courts, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) for Trade (e-
Trade), e-Government Procurement (e-GP), National e-Governance Service Delivery
Gateway (NSDG), and National Portal of India, etc. Above MMPs have been discussed
in the next sections of this chapter. Each state government can also define five MMPs
specific to its individual needs. MMPs operational in the State of Punjab has been
discussed in the next chapter of the present study.

Implementation Strategy, Approach, and Methodology of NeGP

Implementation of e-governance in India requires provisioning of the high-level

common core infrastructure of hardware, software, and networking, and BPR. The
approach and methodology adopted for the implementation of the NeGP designed as per
the governance needs of the country.

COMMON CORE AND SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Apart from these MMPs, NeGP also approved common core and support
infrastructures of State Wide Area Network (SWAN), State Data Center (SDC), State

16
http://india.gov.in/e-governance/mission-mode-projects [Accessed: 03/01/2014, 04:02pm]

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Service Delivery Gateways (SSDG), and National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN). These
projects were considered as the backbone network for data storage and sharing to host
state-level e-initiatives and connectivity across the various levels of governments from
the union to village levels. The status of core infrastructure components is as under:

1. State Wide Area Network (SWAN): The SWAN has been established in 34
States and UTs and is being utilized for closed user connectivity across various
government offices.

2. State Data Centers (SDC): To date, 26 SDCs have been established and are
being operated.

3. National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN): At present, optical fiber cable

connectivity is available in all State capitals, district headquarters, and every
block. It was planned that all of the Gram Panchayats would be similarly
connected. To fill the connectivity gap between village and block level, the dark
fiber network was created by creating sufficient bandwidth at the village level
which is called the National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN). As per the latest data
available, till 06/12/2015, the NOFN was got spread over 32,272 Gram
Panchayats with 76,624 kilometers of the fiber cable laid.17

GOVERNANCE OF NeGP

Monitoring and coordination of the plan’s implementation required the

establishment of competent authorities for laying down of standards and policy
guidelines, providing technical support, undertaking capacity building, R&D, etc. e-
Governance in India was promoted as a centralized initiative allowing for decentralized
implementation. PPP model was also adopted in some e-initiatives to enlarge the resource
pool. Although the role and responsibility of each agency, involved in the implementation
of the plan were well-defined, considering the multiplicity of agencies involved, overall
aggregation and integration were conducted at the national level.

At the central level, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is directly involved in the
implementation of the plan. Further, a committee was constituted under the chairmanship

17
NITI Aayog, op.cit., P.76

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of the Cabinet Secretary for providing policy directions and ensuring inter-ministerial
coordination. The Department of Information Technology serves as the Convener and
Secretary of this apex committee. Under the plan, various MMPs are owned and
commanded by the concerned Ministries at center and state levels. For the successful
implementation of the plan, DEITY acts as the facilitator and technical supporter to the
concerned line ministries and BPR required is the responsibility of DARPG.

To facilitate the PPP model, the GoI also joined hand with IT industry body
NASSCOM and established the National Institute of Smart Government (NISG), in 2002,
on PPP base with 51% stake of industries or financial institutions. The NISG assists
central and state governments in e-initiatives to improve service delivery to the citizens
and businesses. It provides strategic consulting, advisory, and capacity building services
during project development and implementation to the implementing agencies at the
initial stages of the project by combining the best resources from the public and the
private sector. The NISG has also established the project management unit (PMU) for the
NeGP.18

At the state level, to handle e-initiatives, a huge variation existed in the capacities
and capabilities of various governments. A supreme council headed by the CM steers the
entire implementation of NeGP in the State. A high-level committee consisted of
Secretaries of various departments, headed by the Chief Secretary was proposed under
the plan to handle all operational issues of the implementation of the plan. This
committee oversees and ensures inter-departmental coordination for the implementation
of the plan.

NeGP proposed the formation of institutionalized task forces at the state level
called State e-Governance Mission Team (SeMT) and Project e-Governance Mission
Team (PeMT) respectively. SeMT consists of experts to provide an overall direction,
standardization, and consistency through the management of e-initiatives and provides
core and support infrastructure across all projects. It functions as a permanent advisory
body to the state government and provides inputs to the State Government during the IT
policymaking process. PeMT provides support to the departments for BPR, change

18
https://www.nisg.org/ [Accessed: 24/06/2020]

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management, getting technology expertise, and managing the implementation of the
project. It works in close coordination with the departments to conceptualize the projects
and provide support in the management and implementation of the project. Both task
forces are getting discussed in detail in the next chapter of this study.

The GoI reviewed the NeGP and identified its shortcomings as a lack of
integration amongst e-initiatives and databases and low degree of GPR etc. To overcome
these shortcomings and to further include emerging technologies of mobile governance
and cloud computing, the government approved the revised version of the NeGP in form
of e-Kranti program. e-Kranti was approved by Union Cabinet on March 25, 2015, to
redefine NeGP for the transformation of e-initiatives to make them more outcome-
oriented and to promote optimum usage of ICT.19 With the rapid integration of e-
governance applications, it aimed to enhance the portfolio of citizen-centric services with
an increase in MMPs from 31 to 44.

Administrative Reforms and e-Governance in India

In 1966, the First Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) was set up, which
submitted twenty reports in a period spread over 1966-70. The Second ARC was
constituted in 2005 with the objective of blueprint preparation for revamping the public
administration system. Ensuring administrative effectiveness with citizen centricity and
promoting e-governance were including in its terms of references. At present, the task of
conceptualizing and launching of administrative reforms initiatives are entrusted to the
DARPG and it “functions as an internal consultant to the Government in the context of
reforms. It provides a formal platform for exchanging and disseminating reform-related
ideas and successful best practices. It also acts as a clearinghouse for reform measures
and also functions as a one-stop facility for incubating, documenting, disseminating, and
assisting in the replication of best practices.”20

The eleventh report of the 2nd ARC was specifically based on the promotion of e-
governance in India. The report specified that the mere introduction of the IT component
in government departments is not enough for the successful implementation of e-

19
https://digitalindia.gov.in/content/ekranti [Accessed: 30/05/2020]
20
https://darpg.gov.in/sites/default/files/sp_darpg_0.pdf [Accessed: 07/07/2020]

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governance. The reforms need to be comprehensive by covering the government
processes reengineering (GPR) to be compatible with e-governance, preparedness, and
the technology, and the people in the concerned departments have to internalize the
changes. The report highlighted the different e-readiness levels of different states and
mentioned that it is necessary to bring all states at the same or comparable levels while
implementing the e-governance reforms. Second ARC highlighted that “e-Government is
not about ‘e’ but ‘government’; it is not about computers and websites, but about services
to citizens and businesses. e-Government is also not about translating processes; it is
about transforming them. e-Government is concerned with the transformation of
government, modernization of government processes and functions, and better public
service delivery mechanisms through technology so that government can be put on an
auto-pilot mode.”21 The commission classified three types of categories of e-services as
providing information, improving processing efficiency, and facilitating transactions.

The eleventh report (2008) stressed building a congenial environment for the
successful implementation of e-initiatives by displaying a will to change, providing
political support at the highest level, overcoming the resistance to change within
government, and creating awareness in the public. It focused on the identification and
prioritization of e-initiatives at center and state levels for providing information to the
citizens, online transactions including the payment for services, verification of
information/data, and integration of complex databases. The commission also
recommended for concentration on BPR for every government function to ensure
rationality and simplicity backed by procedural, institutional, and legal changes, while
maintaining the citizen-centricity of the exercise. The report highlighted the significance
of the capacity building and awareness of individuals associated with the
implementation of e-initiatives. The second ARC recommended a network of training
institutions in the states, with the Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) at the apex.
The report emphasized the strengthening of ATIs under NeGP and stated that these
institutes should take up capacity building programs in e-Governance, by establishing
strong e-Governance wings. The report zeroed in on the need of developing and

21
Second ARC, Promoting e-Governance: The SMART Way Forward, 11th Report, Government of India,
New Delhi, December 2008, p.V.

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promoting the use of technological solutions such as national e-Governance ‘enterprise
architecture’ framework. The report also called attention to the implementation of e-
governance and suggested a periodic independent evaluation and re-designing, by all the
government agencies/departments/organizations, of the information available on their
websites from the citizen’s perspective.

The commission equally laid stress on the monitoring and evaluation by

recommending monitoring of e-initiatives by the implementing organizations and
evaluation of success or failure by independent agencies. The report presented an
institutional framework for coordination and sharing of resources/information at the
center and state levels. The report also considered the role of Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) as a preferred mode of implementation of e-governance projects. The
report highlights the role of common support infrastructure and with reference to the
58th report of the Standing Committee on IT, suggested that the SDCs should be
maintained by government agencies such as NIC. The implementation of SDCs, SWANs,
and CSCs should be coordinated to prevent major time-lag between their
operationalization. The report suggested the involvement of Gram Panchayats in
monitoring the CSCs’ operations.

In the context of MMPs under NeGP, the commission recommended that state
governments should conduct restructuring of procedures and statutes, BPR, and capacity
building exercise should be completed by the concerned department within a maximum
period of one year of implementation. While discussing the legal framework for e-
governance, the commission proposed that a clear road map about this should be
outlined by 2020. This framework should include provisions regarding the definition of
e-governance, its objectives and role in the Indian context; Parliamentary oversight
mechanism; a mechanism for coordination between government organizations at the
center and state levels; role, functions, and responsibilities of these organizations
concerning e-initiatives, especially BPR; financial arrangements; a framework for digital
security and data protection; and responsibility for selection and adoption of standards
and inter-operability framework. The commission also suggested that center and state
governments should take proactive measures for establishing Knowledge Management

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systems as a pivotal step for administrative reforms in general and e-Governance in
particular.22

Guidelines for Indian Government Websites

The Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) were formally released
in first and second editions respectively in 2009 and 2019. Both editions of GIGW were
prepared by NIC as an initiative under the National Portal of India, an MMP. National
Portal of India was established as single-point access to government information and
services by aggregating the content from more than 8000 government websites. A
Content Advisory Committee was formed to look into the means to improve the
fundamental quality of government websites and based on the advice of the committee,
NIC formulated the first version of these guidelines in February 2009. The process of
preparing these guidelines involved an extensive consultation process between
representatives from NIC and various other departments of governments at the center and
state levels. These guidelines were drafted as per recognized guidelines of other countries
and international bodies like ISO and W3C. These guidelines were adopted in the Manual
of Office Procedures of Central Secretariat by DARPG.

With the advent of the flagship program of Digital India, these guidelines were
revised and version 2.0 was released in February 2019. Version 2.0 was an outcome of
feedback and consultations with industry, society, government departments, and diligent
reference to evolving standards set by International bodies. In addition to the websites,
version 2.0 also included guidelines for mobile apps related to e-governance. This
revision including the latest technologies and make these guidelines comprehensive and
easier to adopt. NIC has undertaken various initiatives to sensitize different stakeholders
for compliance with these guidelines.

The GIGW guidelines improved the overall usability and competence of the
government websites and make them more citizen-centric in the delivery of government
information and services. These guidelines benefit the policy formulation process for
sustainable and effective maintenance of the government websites through their life cycle

22
Ibid.

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and in achieving a certain degree of commonality and standardization across them all.
These guidelines are available on the internet on the government website.23

National Policy on Information Technology, 2012

The National Policy on Information Technology (NPIT) was get approved in

2012, to anchor the usage of ICT to address the massive economic and developmental
challenges of India. The NPIT recognized IT as the main driving force of the knowledge-
based global economy and envisioned the growth of the IT market and employment
creation. The thrust areas of the policy laid stress on enhancing revenues of IT and ITES
Industry and to gain significant global market-share in emerging technologies and
services, by 2020, with the promotion of innovations in emerging technologies in areas
like broadband connectivity, cloud computing, location-based services, mobile value-
added services, social media, and utility models, etc. It also encouraged the adoption of
ICTs in economic and strategic sectors in value creation and development of skilled
manpower. Significant focus was put on spreading e-literacy by making at least one
individual in every household e-literate.

NPIT emphasized improving the quality of public service delivery and make them
more accessible, accountable, decentralize, efficient, equitable, inclusive, reliable,
transparent through e-governance. NPIT was aimed to make India a global IT hub for the
development of language technologies by adopting open standards and promotion of
open sources and open technologies. The NPIT aimed to attain the above-mentioned
objectives through coordinated action on the part of both the central and state
governments. The policy envisioned to use IT and cyberspace as an engine for equitable,
inclusive, rapid, and substantial growth in the national economy and its transformation
into a Knowledge Society.

The strategy designed to implement the National Policy on Information

Technology includes the creation of an ecosystem suitable to enhance the
competitiveness of the IT/ITES Industry at a global level by making requisite policy
changes and policy formulation to attract investment in this field. It was aimed at

23
https://web.guidelines.gov.in/assets/gigw-manual.pdf [Accessed: 14/05/2020]

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promoting ICT companies through bilateral agreements to provide them access and
expansion to new markets. In the context of Human Resource Development, the policy
was focused on the creation of infrastructure for creating a pool of 10 million trained
persons by the year 2020, setting up Centers of Excellence to promote high-end research
in specialized ICT areas, and ensuring e-literacy, etc. The policy aimed to promote
innovation and research and development in the IT sector by supporting SMEs and
startup companies through fiscal benefits, funds, and incubation facilities.

By implementing the provisions of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), the

policy envisioned an efficient service delivery mechanism, through e-governance and
BPR, within a stipulated time frame by the enactment of the Electronic Delivery of
Services (EDS) Bill. It focused on e-procurement and a widespread network of common
shareable service delivery access points by cloud computing. It aimed to promote PPP in
e-initiatives and facilitate the flow of private sector capabilities into the national e-
governance efforts.24

Digital India

With the vision of transforming India into a digitally connected India, the
Government of India launched its flagship program under the banner of the ‘Digital
India’ (DI) movement in 2015. This movement focused on the entire ecosystem to
become multifunctional and flexible to make India ‘a digitally empowered society and
knowledge economy.’25 The key vision areas of the DI include Digital Infrastructure,
Governance & Services, and Digitally Empowered Citizens.

DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

The vision area of digital infrastructure is centered on developing digital

infrastructure as a utility across the country through high-speed internet by deploying a
nationwide optical fiber network to facilitate online delivery of services. It proposed to
integrate all core ICT infrastructure built under NeGP. It is planned to develop enabling
infrastructure for ensuring digital identity through mobile by linking mobile number with

24
https://meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/National_20IT_20Policyt%20_20.pdf [Accessed: 19/06/2016]
25
https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/ [Accessed: 19/03/2020]

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Aadhaar, digital signatures, and voice biometrics. A mobile governance initiative named
Mobile Seva was launched by DEITY to ensure public service delivery through mobile
devices. To ensure financial inclusiveness, DEITY collaborated with NSDL Database
Management Limited (NDML) to provide a centralized platform for PayGov. PayGov
facilitates all government departments to collect online payments from citizens for public
service delivery.

Digital India campaign also focused on the easy availability of public services
through CSCs. It provided for coverage of all villages through CSCs and recasting of
1,50,000 post offices as multi-service centers. The initial target was to establish 1,00,000
CSCs in the ratio of one CSC for every 6 villages. To date, more than 1,37,000 CSCs are
operational across the country. It also provides digital storage to citizens on a public
cloud, in the form of DigiLocker, from where the documents issued by the government
could be easily accessible online. It also promotes citizen participation through mobile
governance and ensures cybersecurity.26

GOVERNANCE & SERVICES

DI campaign identified crucial elements for the ensured availability of governance

and services on demand to the citizens. To provide single-window service delivery of the
services concerned with various departments, integration of services and database is a
major preconditioner. DEITY notified e-governance standards and finalized Open API
and Open Source policies to promote software interoperability for all e-initiatives and
provide access to databases and services. Some other common platforms such as
MeghRaj, M-Seva, PayGov, and e-Sangam have also been established for interoperability
and integration of services. To ensure the service delivery online on a real-time basis, the
NOFN project is being implemented to establish high-speed broadband internet
connectivity at the village level. The Mobile Seva is a common national platform used by
over 1900 government departments and agencies nationwide for mobile-enabled services.
This campaign also focused on ensure public service delivery ‘anytime anywhere’ on the
cloud platform including BPL entitlements, PDS, social sector benefits, LPG and other
subsidies, etc.

26
Ibid.

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 The flagship program of DI transformed digitally the services for improving ease
of doing business. It stressed the strengthening of the technological up-gradation of the
existing MMPs such as e-Biz project, MCA21, and e-Trade, etc. It also focused on
making financial transactions electronic and cashless through PayGov. It highlights the
significance of Geospatial Information System (GIS) for decision support systems and
stressed on the usage of GIS technology in the delivery of various government services,
and implementation of MMPs and other e-initiatives.27

DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT OF CITIZENS

Acknowledging the importance of digital literacy, the DI campaign focuses on

making at least one-person e-literate in every household through the National Digital
Literacy Mission. National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT)
is providing the training to equip a person to undertake e-transactions and other basic
activities such as e-mail, surfing the internet, etc., through more than 5000 centers across
the country. Under the DI program, it is planned to provide access to digital resources for
persons with different abilities which hinder the operation of universal access to digital
devices such as smartphones, tabs, and computers. All documents/certificates are planned
to electronically store and digitally available on the cloud in a portable format.

DI campaign recognized the diversity of Indian languages and initiated the

Technology Development for Indian Languages (TDIL) program. TDIL focuses on
developing information processing tools and techniques to create multilingual knowledge
resources. It also promotes language technology standardization of Indian languages in
international and national standardization bodies such as ISO, UNICODE, WWW
Consortium (W3C), and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). e-Bhasha is an MMP for
developing and disseminating digital content in local languages to the non-English
speaking population of India. DI campaign provides a nationwide digital platform
‘myGov’28 to enhance citizen participation in governance in the form of C2G
interactions, suggestions, feedback, rating of the government policies and initiatives,
etc.29

27
https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/content/vision-and-vision-areas [Accessed: 19/03/2020]
28
www.mygov.in [Accessed: 26/07/2019]
29
https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/content/vision-and-vision-areas [Accessed: 19/03/2020]

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY FOR DIGITAL INDIA

The implementation of the nationwide flagship program of Digital India includes

full-scale utilization of ICT Infrastructure at the center and state level. According to the
policy guidelines and technical support by DEITY, the e-initiatives launched under NeGP
were revamped as per the vision of the DI campaign. It enables the state to include
additional state-specific projects relevant to their socio-economic needs. DI campaign
operated as a centralized initiative adopting a decentralized implementation model. On
the lines of NeGP, the PPP model is stated as a preferable wherever feasible to implement
e-initiatives. It also stressed on the restructuring of NIC. It created the positions of Chief
Information Officers (CIO) in various Ministries at Additional Secretary/Joint Secretary
level with over-riding powers on IT in the respective Ministry.30

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE FOR DIGITAL INDIA

At the Union level, for the effective management of the campaign, a Monitoring
Committee, under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister, is constituted to monitor
periodically the implementation of the program. An Advisory Group headed by the
Minister of Communications and IT is also constituted to provide advice on policy issues
and strategic interventions related to the program. An Apex Committee headed by
Cabinet Secretary is constituted to oversee the program and to provide policy and
strategic directions and to resolving inter-ministerial issues. An Expenditure Finance
Committee (EFC)/Committee on Non-Plan Expenditure (CNE) headed by Secretary
(Expenditure) is also set up to financially appraise and approve the projects. The
technical issues of integrated projects would be resolved by the Council of Mission
Leaders of the campaign. The technical appraisal of all MMPs and e-initiatives under DI
is done by the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of DEITY.

At the State level, State Committee on Digital India is headed by the Chief
Minister, and the Apex Committees are headed by Chief Secretaries of the State and UTs.
The latest version of NeGP, ‘e-Kranti’, also known as NeGP 2.0, made the provision of

30
https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/content/approach-and-methodology [Accessed: 20/03/2020]

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the existing management structure for the implementation of NeGP at center and state
level has also been integrated with the above-discussed structure of Digital India.31

NINE PILLARS OF DIGITAL INDIA

An umbrella program of Digital India incorporated vast arrays of ideas into a

single, comprehensive vision of transforming India into a digitally empowered nation.
The program identified nine support beams, which include broadband highway, universal
access to mobile connectivity, public Internet access, e-Governance, e-Kranti,
information for all, electronics manufacturing, IT for jobs, and early harvest program.32
All these pillars of the DI program have been discussed in detail in the following section
of this chapter.

1. Broadband Highways

This beam of DI campaign focused on the nationwide broadband connectivity

through three sub-components of Broadband for All (Rural), Broadband for All
(Urban) and National Information Infrastructure (NII). The NOFN was aimed to
spread across the country to provide connectivity to all village Panchayats of India.
The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) is the nodal agency for the
implementation of this project. In urban areas, Virtual Network Operators were
anchored for service delivery and communication infrastructure. NII aimed to
integrate all ICT infrastructure, network and cloud infrastructure, and provide cloud
platform to various government departments up to the panchayat level. These
infrastructure components include SWAN, NKN, NOFN, GUN, and MeghRaj.
DEITY is the nodal agency for the implementation of this project.33

2. Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity

Thousands of villages of India are deprived of mobile network coverage. This

initiative was launched with the focus on network penetration and filling the

31
https://digitalindia.gov.in/content/management-structure [Accessed: 20/03/2020]
32
https://digitalindia.gov.in/content/programme-pillars [Accessed: 21/03/2020]
33
https://digitalindia.gov.in/content/broadband-highways [Accessed: 21/03/2020]

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 connectivity gaps of mobile coverage to uncovered villages especially in the North
East. The DoT is the nodal agency for this project.34

3. Public Internet Access Program

Public Internet Access Program consists of two sub-components of the strengthening

of CSCs and Post Offices as multi-service centers. It was aimed to increase the
number of CSCs in the ration of one center for each Gram Panchayat to make them
multi-functional end-points for public service delivery. DEITY is the nodal
department to implement the scheme.35 Also, Post Offices were converted into multi-
service centers. Department of Posts is the nodal department to implement this
scheme.36

4. e-Governance - Reforming Government through Technology

Digital India campaign focuses on GPR through the usage of ICT for simplification
of processes and procedures to make the public service delivery more efficient and
effective. Apart from this, the guiding principles for reforming government through
technology includes online applications and tracking of their status, use of online
repositories for certificates, educational degrees, identity documents, etc., integration
of services and platforms), payment gateway, m-Seva platform, sharing of data
through open API and, NSDG and SSDG, etc. It proposed for complete workflow
automation of government process, keeping all databases and information in
electronic form and introduction of IT-based public grievance redressal.37

5. e-Kranti - National e-Governance Plan 2.0

Considering the shortcomings in NeGP the GoI approved the e-Kranti program with
the vision of ‘Transforming e-Governance for Transforming Governance.’ All new
and ongoing e-governance projects as well as the existing projects were revamped to
follow the key principles of e-Kranti.38 Besides the ongoing 31 MMPs, 12 new
MMPs have also been taken up under e-Kranti by including projects related to
34
https://digitalindia.gov.in/content/universal-access-mobile-connectivity [Accessed: 22/03/2020]
35
http://deity.gov.in/content/common-services-centers [Accessed: 22/03/2020]
36
https://digitalindia.gov.in/content/public-internet-access-programme [Accessed: 23/03/2020]
37
https://digitalindia.gov.in/content/e-governance-%E2%80%93-reforming-government-through-
technology [Accessed: 24/03/2020]
38
https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/content/introduction [Accessed: 24/03/2020]

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 Women and Child Development, Social Benefits, Financial Inclusion, Urban
Governance e-Bhasha, etc.39 It redefined the NeGP with transformational and
outcome-oriented e-initiatives to ensure optimum usage of ICT infrastructure. A
single-window service delivery approach has been adopted to improve the ease of
receiving service delivery and doing business.

6. Information for All

DI campaign facilitates online hosting of information & documents of government

departments in an open format on Open Data platforms to provide open and easy
access to information for citizens. The National Geographical Information System
(NGIS) was established to position a new information regime and to develop
innovative applications to enhance the quality of GIS Assets.40

7. Electronics Manufacturing

This pillar of the DI campaign stressed on promoting electronics manufacturing in the

country and reduce the imports of electronic goods like fab-less design, set-top boxes,
VSATs, mobiles, consumer & medical electronics, smart energy meters, smart cards,
micro-ATMs, and Incubators, etc. It also focuses on eliminating cost disadvantages
by providing incentives in taxation. It also pays attention to various sectors such as
skill development, government procurement, safety standards, recognition through
National Awards, marketing, and brand building, etc.

To make electronics manufacturing success, the GoI approved the National Policy
on Electronics (NPE 12) in 2012. NPE 12 was formulated to create a conducive
environment to attract investments in the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing
(ESDM) sector in India. The government offered various clusters schemes, incentive
packages, and subsidies on capital equipment and exports of electronics manufacturing.
The government also made a provision of electronic development funds for R & D and
innovations in the area of electronics. GoI also provides fellowship to Ph.D. students to
promote greater research in electronics and IT.41

39
NITI Aayog, op.cit. p.77
40
NITI Aayog, op.cit., P.78
41
www.deity.gov.in/esdm [Accessed: 10/04/2020]

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8. IT for Jobs

Along with the focus on developing electronic manufacturing, DI also highlights on

skill development to create jobs in the IT/ITES sector. As part of skill development,
the initial target of the campaign was to train one crore students and three lakh service
delivery agents from smaller towns and villages for employment in the IT/ITES
sector. It also trained nearly five lakhs rural workforce as the telecom service
providers (TSPs) to cater to their own needs. North East BPO Promotion Scheme
(NEBPS) paid special attention to the North-Eastern region of India for employment
creation and promotion of the investment in the IT Sector.42

9. Early Harvest Program

This pillar of DI campaign consists of the projects implemented within short timeline
such as IT Platform for Messages, e-Greetings, Biometric attendance, Wi-Fi in all
universities, intra-government secure e-mail, standardize the design of governmental
e-mail, public wi-fi hotspots, e-Books, SMS based weather information, disaster
alerts and Khoya-Paya (a national portal for lost and found children)43

e-Initiatives under Digital India

To make DI campaign a success, a lot of digital infrastructures are required to

develop and implement. Table 2.2 discussed the various e-initiatives for the development
and establishment of digital infrastructure across the country.
Table 2.2 e-Initiatives for Digital Infrastructure under Digital India
Sr. No. e-INITIATIVE PURPOSE/FEATURES
1. AADHAAR  The largest biometrics identification system of the
world
 A platform for digital identity based on biometrics
identification system.
 To eliminate duplicate or fake identities A primary
identifier to roll out several Government welfare
schemes.
 Web Link: https://uidai.gov.in

42
https://digitalindia.gov.in/content/it-jobs [Accessed: 26/03/2020]
43
https://digitalindia.gov.in/content/early-harvest-programmes [Accessed: 26/03/2020]

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2. BBNL  An abbreviation for Bharat Broadband Network
Limited.
 To create the National Optical Fiber Network
(NOFN).
 To provide broadband connectivity to all Gram
Panchayats of India through NOFN.
 Web Link: http://www.bbnl.nic.in/index.aspx
3. CoE-IoT  An abbreviation for Centre for Excellence for Internet
of Things.
 To create innovative applications and domain
capability.
 To build industry capable talent, start-up community,
and an entrepreneurial ecosystem for IoT.
 Web Link: http://www.coe-iot.in
4. CERT-IN  To secure Indian cyberspace.
 To serve as the national agency for cybersecurity
 To collect, analyze and disseminate of information on
cyber incidents
 To forecast and alerts of cybersecurity incidents
 To take emergency measures for handling
cybersecurity incidents.
 To coordinate cyber incident response activities.
 To issue guidelines and advisories related to cyber
incidents.
 Web Link: http://www.cert-in.org.in
5. CSCs  An abbreviation for Common Service Centers.
 A Pan-India network of G2C and B2C service delivery
in rural and remote areas.
 Web Link: https://csc.gov.in
6. CYBER  Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre.
SWACHHTA
 Established under ‘National Cyber Security Policy’.
KENDRA

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  To create a secure cyber ecosystem by detecting
botnet infections.
 Web Link: http://www.cyberswachhtakendra.gov.in
7. DIGILOCKER  A cloud-based digital wallet
 To issue, share, and verify government documents and
certificates.
 To promote paperless governance.
 Provides access to more than 347 crore authentic
digital documents.
 Web Link: https://digilocker.gov.in
8. DIGISEVAK  An online Volunteer Management System (VMS)
platform for citizens who wanted to volunteer their
services for DI.
 Provides means for end-to-end execution of
volunteering tasks and recognition.
 Web Link: http://digisevak.gov.in
9. DISHA  An abbreviation for Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan.
 Also known as the National Digital Literacy Mission
(NDLM).
 To impart IT training to 52.5 lakh persons.
 To train non-IT literate citizens to become IT literate.
 Web Link: http://www.ndlm.in
10. DIP  An abbreviation for Digitize India Platform.
 To provide digitization services for scanned document
images or physical documents.
 To digitize and make usable all the existing content in
different formats and media, languages.
 To create data extracts for IT applications and
management of records.
 Web Link: https://digitizeindia.gov.in

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11. DBT  An abbreviation for Direct Benefit Transfer.
 To ensure a simpler and faster flow of information and
funds.
 To ensure accurate targeting of the beneficiaries, de-
duplication, and reduction of fraud.
 Web Link: https://dbtbharat.gov.in
12. e-BASTA  To make school books accessible as e-books.
 To bring various publishers and schools together on
one platform.
 Web Link: https://www.ebasta.in
13. EDF  An abbreviation for Electronic Development Fund
 To develop the ESDM sector
 Established as a ‘Fund of Funds’ to participate in
‘Daughter Funds’ which provides risk capital to
companies engaged in electronics manufacturing.
 Web Link: http://www.edfindia-canbankventure.com
14. e-SIGN  An online electronic signature service based on
Aadhaar e-KYC service.
 Web Link: http://cca.gov.in
15. e-TRADE  To facilitate foreign trade in India.
 To enable foreign trade to avail services from various
agencies in an online environment.
 Web Link: http://etrade.gov.in/project.aspx
16. GARV  For real-time data updation of the ongoing
GRAMEEN electrification process.
VIDYUTIKARA
 To provide information about government schemes
N MOBILE APP
and electrification data.
 To share inspirational stories of persons with different
abilities, who achieved success despite all odds.
 Web Link: http://garv.ddugjy.in/

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17. GeM  An abbreviation for Government e-Marketplace.
 A single window solution for online procurement for
common use Goods and Services required by various
government entities.
 To enhance transparency, efficiency, and speed in
public procurement.
 To provide tools for direct purchase, e-Bidding, and
reverse e-Auction.
 Offers online registration facilities for all stakeholders.
 Web Link: https://gem.gov.in
18. IHIP  An abbreviation for Integrated Health Information
System
 To create Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
 To facilitate the integration and interoperability of the
EHRs via a comprehensive Health Information
Exchange (HIE).
 Web Link: https://www.nhp.gov.in
19. IRCTC  To make the ticketing application more user-friendly
CONNECT and faster.
 To facilitate search and book train tickets, check
existing reservations or cancel them, and get
upcoming journey alerts.
 Web Link: https://www.irctc.co.in/eticketing/login
Home.jsf
20. JEEVAN  A biometric enabled digital service for pensioners.
PRAMAAN
 To streamline the process of issuing a life certificate in
a hassle-free manner. experience for the pensioners.
 Web Link: https://jeevanpramaan.gov.in/
21. MEGHRAJ (GI  Based on Cloud Computing.
Cloud)
 To accelerate the delivery of e-services in the country.
 To ensure optimum utilization of the infrastructure
 To speed up the development and deployment of e-
Governance applications.
 Web Link: https://cloud.gov.in/index.php

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 22. MOBILE SEVA  To facilitate the process of development of suitable
APP STORE mobile applications for public service delivery.
 Web Link: https://apps.mgov.gov.in/index.jsp
23. NSM  An abbreviation for National Super-Computing
Mission
 To empower the national academic and R&D
institutions, spread across the country with high-
performance super-computing facilities.
 These facilities are networked on the National
Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge
Network (NKN).
 Web Link: https://nsmindia.in
24. OPEN DATA  To promotes Open Data services.
 To be used by the government departments to publish
datasets, documents, services, tools, and applications
for public use.
 Web Link: https://data.gov.in
25. RAPID  Developed by NeGD
ASSESSMENT
 To continuous feedback for e-services of governments
SYSTEM
at the center and state level.
 Web Link: http://ras.gov.in
26. SWIFT  An abbreviation for Single Window Interface For
Trade.
 To facilitate the Trading across borders in India.
 The 'India Customs Single Window' provides the
facility of lodge clearance documents online at a
single point.
 It also allowed importers and exporters to acquire
required permissions online from other regulatory
agencies.
 It reduces interface with various governmental
agencies, reduces time, and the cost of doing business.
 Web Link: https://www.icegate.gov.in/SWIFT/
Source: Compiled from Official Websites

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Apart from the creation of digital infrastructure, the DI campaign focuses on providing
many digital services to the citizens and businesses. Table 2.3 discussed the various e-
initiatives for the ensuring delivery of digital services across the country:
Table 2.3 e-Initiatives for Digital Services under Digital India
Sr. e-INITIATIVE PURPOSE/FEATURES
No.
1. ACCESSIBLE  A mobile application to enhance the accessibility of
INDIA persons with disabilities.
 Available on IOS, Android and Windows platforms,
and other stores.
 Web Link: http://accessibleindia.gov.in/content/
2. AGRIMARKET  A bi-lingual (English and Hindi) mobile application
to keep farmers up-to-date with the crop prices in
markets within 50km of their device location.
 Available on IOS, Android and Windows platforms,
and other stores.
 Web Link:
http://mkisan.gov.in/downloadmobileapps.aspx
3. BHIM  To facilitate quick financial transactions on mobile
(Bharat Interface by using Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
for Money)  To enable the direct bank to bank payments instantly
and collect money using a Mobile number or
Payment address.
 Available on Android and it is downloadable from
Google Playstore.
 Web Link: http://www.bhimupi.org.in/
4. CCTNS  To create a comprehensive and integrated system for
(Crime and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of
Criminal Tracking policing.
Network and  To create a nationwide networking infrastructure for
Systems) the evolution of IT-enabled-state-of-the-art tracking
system to detect the criminals and investigate them.
detection and investigation. of criminals.

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  Web Link:
http://www.ncrb.gov.in/BureauDivisions/CCTNS/cct
ns.htm
5. CROP  A mobile app for calculation of insurance premium
INSURANCE for notified crops.
 Provides details of the normal sum insured, extended
sum insured, premium, and subsidy information of
any notified crop in any notified area.
 Web Link:
http://mkisan.gov.in/downloadmobileapps.aspx
6. DIGITAL AIIMS  An effective linkage between AIIMS, UIDAI, and
MEITY.
 It generates a digital identity in the form of a unique
health identification number based on Aadhar for
every patient visiting AIIMS.
 Web Link: http://ehospital.nic.in/ehospital/
7. e-BIZ  To improve the business environment by enabling
fast and efficient online access to G2B services.
 To reduce unnecessary delays in various regulatory
processes required for business operations.
 Web Link: https://www.ebiz.gov.in/home/
8. e-  An Integrated Library Management Software.
GRANTHALAYA
 To automate in-house activities of libraries and to
provide various online services related to the library.
 To publish the library catalog on the Internet.
 Web Link: http://egranthalaya.nic.in/
9. e-PANCHAYAT  To automate the functions of Gram Panchayat.
 To provide internet connectivity to Panchayats.
 Web Link: http://epanchayat.in
10. ECI EVM  A GPRS based mobile application for ECI Officials
TRACKING to scan the barcode on EVM machines.
 Web Link:
https://apps.mgov.gov.in/descp.do?appid=217

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11. e-DISTRICT  Developed to strengthen the district administration.
 To provide a centralized software application for
selected citizen services delivery mechanism.
 Web Link: https://edistrict.gov.in/
12. e-GREETINGS  To promote a contemporary and eco-friendly method
of sharing greetings.
 It allows users (public officials and citizens) to select
and send greetings from multiple occasion-specific
templates.
 Web Link: https://egreetings.gov.in/
13. e-HOSPITAL  A Hospital Management Information System (HMIS)
 One-stop solution for internal workflows and
processes of hospitals.
 To connect patients, hospitals, and doctors on a
single digital platform.
 Web Link: http://ehospital.nic.in/ehospital/
14. e-MSIPS  An acronym for Modified Special Incentive Package
Scheme, e-MSIPS enables online submission and
scrutiny of applications submitted to MEITY.
15. e-NAM  A Pan-India electronic trading portal
(National  To create a unified national market for agricultural
Agriculture commodities.
Market)
 A single window service for all APMC (Agriculture
Produce Marketing Committee) related information
and services.
 Web Link:
http://www.enam.gov.in/NAM/home/index.html
16. e-OFFICE  To achieve a simplified, responsive, effective, and
transparent working of all government offices. T
 Based on the Open Architecture, it is a reusable
framework and a standard reusable product.
 It brings together the independent functions and

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 systems under a single framework.
 Web Link: https://eoffice.gov.in/
17. e-PATHSHALA  To disseminate all educational e-resources through
the website and mobile app.
 To bridge the digital divide.
 To offer a comparable quality of e-contents.
 Available on multiple technology platforms such as
Android, iOS and Windows, e-Pub for tabs, and
flipbooks on laptops and desktops.
 Web Link: http://epathshala.nic.in/
18. EPFO  A web portal for Employees' Provident Funds
(WEB PORTAL Ordinance.
& MOBILE APP)  To facilitates employees to check their EPF balance
through an e-Passbook.
 To activate the UAN accounts of employees
accessible from mobile phones.
 To facilitate EPF pensioners to access their pension
disbursement details on mobile.
 Web Link: http://epfindia.gov.in/site_en/
19. e-PRISON  To computerize and integrate all the activities of
prisons and prisoner management.
 To provide vital information about the prisoners to
the officials.
 To facilitate online visit request and grievance
redressal.
 Web Link: https://eprisons.nic.in
20. e-  A Central Public Procurement Portal of GoI.
PROCUREMENT
 To facilitate the publishing of tenders related
information.
 To provide single point access to the information on
procurements.
 Web Link: https://eprocure.gov.in/eprocure/app

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21. e-SAMPARK  To connect the government directly with citizens.
 To share government information through e-mails,
SMS, etc.
 To maintain a database of contacts of the nodal
officers, representatives, and citizens.
 Web Link: https://sampark.gov.in
22. e-TAAL  An abbreviation for Electronic Transaction
Aggregation and Analysis Layer.
 A web portal for the broadcasting of e-transactions
data of the governance projects at the central and
state level.
 It presents a quick view and analysis of transactions
related to e-initiatives in tabular and graphical form.
 Web Link: http://etaal.gov.in
23. e-VISA  To facilitate online application for an Indian Visa to
prospective visitors from their home country.
 To eliminate the need of visiting the Indian Mission
for Visa application.
 To enable online payment of visa fees.
 Web Link:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
24. FARMER  To ensure easy availability of information and
PORTAL services related to farming.
 To create a one-stop-shop for meeting all
informational needs related to agriculture, animal
husbandry, and fisheries sectors.
 Web Link: http://farmer.gov.in/
25. FERTILISER  To monitor the movement of various fertilizers.
MONITORING
 To provide information regarding fertilizer
SYSTEM (FMS)
companies and prices and concession on fertilizers.
 Web Link: http://www.urvarak.co.in
26. GEOGRAPHIC  To store, retrieve, manage, display, and analyze

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 INFORMATION geographic data.
SYSTEM (GIS)
 To store data in geographical features.
 To facilitate analysis and presentation of geographic
information by producing maps and other graphic
displays.
 Web Link: https://ncog.gov.in
27. GEOLOGICAL  To provide single window access to the geoscientific
SURVEY OF information and services offered by GSI.
INDIA (GSI)
 To provide a comprehensive, accurate, reliable, and
single point source of geoscientific information about
the activities and achievements of GSI.
 Web Link: https://www.gsi.gov.in
28. GOODS AND  A uniform and unique interface for the taxpayer.
SERVICE TAX
 To provide a reliable, efficient, and robust IT
NETWORK
backbone for the operations of GST.
(GSTN)
 Web Link: http://www.gstn.org/index.php
29. HIMMAT APP  An e-initiative for emergency service by Delhi police
especially for women.
 This app can send a distress call/emergency message
to Police officials and specified contact or group in
an emergency faced by a woman.
30. ISSNIP  An abbreviation for ICDS Systems Strengthening
And Nutrition Improvement Project.
 To support GoI and participating states in
strengthening the ICDS policy framework, systems,
and capacity building.
 Web Link: http://wcd.nic.in/issnip/home.htm
31. KHOYA PAYA  A web portal for information exchange on missing
and found children.
 A joint endeavor of the Ministry of Women and
Child Development and DEITY.
 Web Link: http://khoyapaya.gov.in/mpp/home

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32. KISAN SUVIDHA  A mobile app to provide information relevant to
farmers.
 It provides useful insights on agriculture machinery,
agro advisories, fertilizers and pesticides, dealers,
plant protection, market prices of commodities in the
nearest area, the maximum price of commodities in
the state and India, seeds, weather, and IPM
practices, etc.
 Web Link: http://www.kisaansuvidha.com/
33. KNOWLEDGE  Knowledge Management Portal provides an enabling
MANAGEMENT platform to transform the data into knowledge.
SYSTEM (KMS)
 Web Link: https://kms.negd.in
34. LEARNING  A software application for the facilitation of effective
MANAGEMENT and efficient administration, documentation, and
SYSTEM (LMS) delivery of e-learning and training programs for
various government officials both at center and
states/UTs.
 To enhance the knowledge and up-gradation of skills
of users vis-à-vis their roles in e-Governance
Competency Framework (e-GCF).
 Web Link: https://lms.negd.in/
35. MADAD APP  It is a Consular Services Management System.
 This mobile app has been developed for Indian
citizens to log and track Grievances about the
Consular Services of the Indian Embassies abroad.
 Available on Android, iOS, and Windows platforms.
 Web Link:
http://www.madad.gov.in/AppConsular/welcomeLin
k
36. MCA21  To enable easy and secure access to the services of
the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
 To fully automate all the processes covered under the
Companies Act, 1956.
 Web Link: http://www.mca.gov.in

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37. MOTHER &  To ensure the delivery of healthcare and
CHILD immunization services to pregnant women and
TRACKING children up to 5 years of age.
SYSTEM (MCTS)
 To facilitates and monitors service delivery.
 Acts as two-way communication between the service
providers and beneficiaries.
 Web Link: http://nrhm-mcts.nic.in/Home.aspx
38. m-ASSET  A mobile-based tool for capturing photographic
details and Geo-coordinates of the Assets from the
National Asset Directory (NAD).
 Web Link: http://assetdirectory.gov.in/
39. m-CESSATION  An initiative for utilizing mobile technology for
tobacco cessation.
 To reach out to tobacco users of all categories who
want to quit tobacco addiction.
 To provide support to the addicts through constant
text messaging service on mobile.
 Web Link: http://www.nhp.gov.in/quit-tobacco
40. m-KAVACH  A security solution for mobile devices.
 It protects the devices from data compromise,
malicious applications, physical thefts, signature
malware, and misutilization of hardware resources.
 Its unique features include secure storage space, app
manager, anti-theft, filter for call/SMS, and
protection from unauthorized access to device
resources.
 Web Link:
https://cdac.in/index.aspx?id=cs_eps_mkavach
41. m-KISAN  An SMS Portal for information dissemination to the
farmers.
 To address the concerns and queries of farmers
specifically related to farming issues.
 Web Link: http://mkisan.gov.in/

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42. m-RAKTKOSH  To interconnect all the Blood Banks of the State.
 To provide live data and information regarding blood
donation and transfusion service.
 Web Link: http://www.eraktkosh.in/
43. NATIONAL  To facilitates registration of job seekers, employment
CAREER providers, skill providers, career counselors, etc.
SERVICE
 To provide career counseling through multiple
PORTAL
channels of career centers, mobile devices, CSCs, etc.
 Web Link: https://www.ncs.gov.in/
44. NATIONAL  To set-up a strong Indian network for providing
KNOWLEDGE secure and reliable connectivity.
NETWORK
 To connect all universities, research institutions,
libraries, laboratories, healthcare, and agricultural
institutions across the country into a single
information network.
 Web Link: http://nkn.gov.in/home
45. NATIONAL  A one-stop solution for all the scholarships provided
SCHOLARSHIP by the Government of India.
PORTAL (NSP)
 To facilitate the process from the submission of
application, verification, sanction, and disbursal to
students.
 Web Link: http://scholarships.gov.in/
46. NATIONAL  To spread awareness about energy efficiency at the
UJALA residential level in India.
DASHBOARD
 To enhance the consumers’ awareness about energy-
efficient appliances.
 To promote the usage of LED lights.
 Web Link: http://www.ujala.gov.in/
47. NATIONAL  To provide single window service to voters.
VOTERS
 To provide access to various electoral services.
SERVICE
PORTAL (NVSP)  Web Link: http://www.nvsp.in/

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48. NIKSHAY  Web-enabled and case-based application for
monitoring the Revised National Tuberculosis
Programme (RNTCP).
 To be used by health functionaries in association with
Central TB Division (CTD) of Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare.
 Web Link: http://nikshay.gov.in/User/Login.aspx
49. NIRBHAYA APP  An android emergency application for ensuring
woman safety.
 It has a provision of sending a distress call or
emergency message to a specified contact or group in
an emergency faced by any individual.
 Available on Google Play Store.
50. ONLINE LABS  This initiative acts as a virtual online laboratory to
(OLABS) supplement physical labs for students to conduct
various experiments.
 It reduces the costs incurred for conducting
experiments in real-time.
 Web Link: http://www.olabs.edu.in/
51. PARIVAHAN  To improve the quality of delivery of transport-
PORTAL related services at Regional Transport Offices.
 To automate all activities related to the registration of
vehicles and driving license.
 It introduced smart card technology to handle issues
like the inter-state movement of transport vehicles.
 It centralized both applications- VAHAN and
SARATHI through a countrywide unified database.
 Web Link: https://parivahan.gov.in/parivahan/
52. PASSPORT  To enable simple, efficient, and transparent delivery
SEVA PROJECT of passport and related services.
(PSP)
 It created a countrywide integrated networked with
the State Police for physical verification of
applicant's credentials and with India Post for

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 delivery of passports.
 Web Link: http://www.passportindia.gov.in/
53. PROJECT  A web-based, centralized tool for monitoring and
MANAGEMENT evaluation of the physical, financial, and outcome
AND parameters of the MMPs under NeGP 2.0 (e-Kranti)
INFORMATION and other e-initiatives.
SYSTEM (PMIS)
 Web Link: http://pmis.negd.gov.in/
54. PROJECT  To streamline the day to day administration of the
MONITORING courts.
WEBSITE FOR e-
 To develop, deliver, install, and implement
COURTS
automated decision-making and decision support
systems in the judiciary.
 At present, 700 courts of Delhi, Bombay, Kolkata &
Chennai; 900 courts in the 29 capital city courts of
states and UTs and 13000 district and subordinate
courts are covered under the project. The objective of
the project was to help judicial administrations of the
courts in streamlining their day-to-day activities.
 Web Link: http://ecourts.nic.in/
55. PUBLIC  Initially started as a pilot project in four States of
FINANCIAL Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Mizoram.
MANAGEMENT
 Pilot projects covered four Flagship schemes namely
SYSTEM (PFMS)
MGNREGS, NRHM, SSA, and PMGSY.
 Its national rollout linked the financial networks of
Central, State Governments, and the various agencies
of State Governments.
 Web Link: https://pfms.nic.in/
56. PUSA KRISHI  To help the farmers to find easy solutions to their
problems related to farming.
 To provide updated information about the weather to
the farmers.
 To provide information about new varieties of crops
developed by the Indian Council of Agriculture
Research (ICAR).

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  Web Link: http://agricoop.nic.in/
57. SARANSH  An e-initiative by CBSE for comprehensive self-
review and analysis for CBSE affiliated schools and
parents.
 To enable the schools and parents to analyze students'
performance to take remedial measures.
 To enable teachers and parents to monitor the
progress of students.
 Web Link: http://saransh.nic.in/?language=en
58. SHAALA  An e-initiative for all Kendriya Vidyalayas in the
DARPAN country.
 To improve the quality of learning, the efficiency of
school administration, and governance.
 Web Link: https://darpan.kvs.gov.in/shaaladarpan/
59. SHAALA SIDDHI  Also known as National Programme on School
Standards and Evaluation (NPSSE).
 Acts as a comprehensive instrument for school
evaluation in a more focused and strategic manner.
 Developed by the National University of Educational
Planning and Administration (NUEPA).
 Web Link: http://shaalasiddhi.nuepa.org/
60. SMS-BASED  A mobile app for effective monitoring of daily and
MID-DAY MEAL monthly mid-day meal (MDM) data of schools.
MONITORING
 To provide additional data communicating
SCHEME
mechanism for the MDM in-charges to send the
daily/monthly data by SMS.
 This android app does not need Internet data to send
MDM figures through SMS.
 Web Link: http://mdm.nic.in/
61. SOIL HEALTH  To promote Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)
CARD in the country for improving soil health and its
productivity.
 To promote the judicious use of chemical fertilizers

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 in conjunction with organic manures and bio-
fertilizers.
 To strengthen the testing facilities for soil and
fertilizers and recommend test-based advisories to
farmers for improving soil fertility.
 To ensure quality control requirements of fertilizers,
bio-fertilizers, and organic fertilizers.
 Web Link: http://www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in/
62. STARTUP INDIA  To build a strong eco-system for Startups in the
PORTAL AND country.
MOBILE APP
 To empower Startups to grow through innovation and
design.
 Web Link: http://www.startupindia.gov.in/
63. SUGAMAYA  To provide accessible library content available to
PUSTAKALYA print-disabled people.
 Developed by the Department of Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) in
collaboration with member organizations of Daisy
Forum of India and powered by TCS Access.
 Web Link:
https://library.daisyindia.org/NALP/welcomeLink.act
ion
64. SWATCHHATA-  An official app of the Ministry of Housing and Urban
MoHUA Affairs.
 To promote cleanliness activities in the country
through ‘The Swachhta Abhiyan’.
 Available on Google Play Store.
65. SWAYAM  To bridge the digital divide for students.
 To facilitates hosting of all the courses from 9th class
till post-graduation and ensure their anywhere and
anytime access to all.
 Web Link: https://swayam.gov.in

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 66. UDAAN  To address the needs of the educated unemployed in
Jammu and Kashmir.
 To encourage corporates to travel the state to hire
aspiring youth of the J&K.
 It provides a supportive framework for the youth to
travel and undergo training in firms.
 Web Link: http://nsdcudaan.com/
67. UMANG  An abbreviation for Unified Mobile Application for
New-Age Governance.
 A master application developed as a common, unified
platform in the form of a mobile app to provide a
single point of access to all government services.
 It integrated 200 applications offering around 1,200
services of various departments of the Centre, states,
and local government including some important
utility services from the private sector.
 Web Link: https://umang.gov.in
68. UTS APP  An abbreviation for Un-reserved Ticket through
Mobile Application.
 An official android mobile ticketing app to enable the
booking of unreserved paperless journey ticket,
issue/renew season ticket and platform ticket.
 It also has a provision of booking of paper tickets.
 Web Link:
https://www.utsonmobile.indianrail.gov.in/RDS/
Source: Compiled from Official Websites

Digital India also focuses on the digital empowerment of citizens to enable them
to receive the benefits of e-governance. Table 2.4 discussed the various e-initiatives for
digital empowerment under the flagship program of Digital India campaign across the
country:

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Table 2.4 e-Initiatives for Digital Empowerment under Digital India
Sr. e-INITIATIVE PURPOSE/FEATURES
No.
1. AEPS  An abbreviation for Aadhaar Enabled Payment
System.

 A payment service to empower a bank client to use

Aadhaar as an identity to access Aadhaar enabled bank
account and perform transactions such as balance
inquiry, cash deposit, and withdrawal, etc.

 http://npci.org.in/home.aspx
2. BPO SCHEME  The India BPO Promotion Scheme (IBPS) seeks to
establish BPO/ITES operations across the country.

 To build capacity in the context of infrastructure and

manpower in smaller cities for IT/ITES led growth.

 Web Link: https://ibps.stpi.in/

3. DIGIDHAN  To enable citizens and merchants to undertake real-
ABHIYAAN time digital transactions.

 Offers services like DIGIDHAN Bazaar and

DIGDHAN Mela to empower the users for digital
transactions.

 Web Link: https://digidhan.mygov.in/

4. MYGOV  To promote participatory governance.

 An online platform for ideas exchange involving the

common citizen and experts for the social and
economic transformation of India.

 http://mygov.in
5. NATIONAL  To leverage the potential of ICT in the teaching and
MISSION ON learning process in Higher Education.
EDUCATION
 To address all the needs related to education and
USING ICT
learning of all stakeholders and empower them.

 Web Link: http://www.nmeict.ac.in/#

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6. NREGA-SOFT  To empower the citizens by providing information in
compliance with the RTI Act.
 To ensure the availability of all the documents related
to NREGA.
 Web Link: http://www.nrega.net/ict/
7. OPENFORGE  Indian platform for open collaborative development of
e-initiatives between public agencies and private
organizations, citizens, and institutions.
 For promoting the usage of open source software and
sharing and reusing of source codes related to e-
governance to reduce the project cost.
 To maintain government source code repositories and
version control.
 To fasten the rollout of e-initiatives by reducing the
development cycle.
 Web Link: https://openforge.gov.in/
8. PAHAL (DBTL)  To eliminate duplicate or bogus LPG connections and
provide direct cash transfer of subsidy amount to bank
accounts of entitled consumers.
 This initiative link LPG connection with Aadhaar or
bank account linkage.
 Web Link: http://petroleum.nic.in/dbt/index.php
9. PAYGOV INDIA  Act as a National Payment Service platform through
the internet with a payment gateway interface for
online payments.
 Created by MeITY and NSDL Database Management
Ltd (NDML).
 It offers various government services through the
National and State governments’ portals with online
payment features using net banking, credit cards, and
debit cards.
 Web Link: http://paygovindia.gov.in

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 10. PMGDISHA  An abbreviation for Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital
Saksharta Abhiyaan.
 A scheme to spread literacy in rural areas of India.
 Aims to bridge the digital divide in the country.
 Web Link: https://www.pmgdisha.in/
11. PMJDY  An abbreviation for Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana.
 PMJDY is a National Mission on the financial
inclusion of all the households in the country.
 It provides universal access to banking facilities,
financial literacy, access to credit, insurance, and
pension facility.
 This e-initiative channel all monetary benefits of
government directly to the beneficiaries’ accounts
under the Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) scheme.
 Web Link: http://pmjdy.gov.in/
12. PMKVY  An abbreviation for Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas
Yojana.
 A flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill
Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
 To enable youth to take up skill training related to the
industry.
 Youth having prior learning experience or skills is also
assessed and certified under Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL).
 Web Link: http://www.pmkvyofficial.org/Index.aspx
13. TPDS  An abbreviation for the Targeted Public Distribution
System.
 Identify the poor for delivery of food grains in a
transparent and accountable manner.
 Web Link: http://dfpd.nic.in/
Source: Compiled from Official Websites

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Some Key e-Initiatives at State Level
Several State Governments have taken various innovative steps to promote e-
governance by drawing up a roadmap for the implementation of NeGP and delivery of
services to the citizens online. Every State has the flexibility of identifying up to five
additional State-specific MMPs on Agriculture, Commercial Taxes, e-District,
Employment Exchange, Land Records, Municipalities, Gram Panchayats, Police, Road
Transport, Treasuries, etc. Apart from MMPs the States have other e-initiatives. Some of
the major initiatives have been enlisted below in Table 2.5:

Table 2.5 Key e-Initiatives by various State Governments in India

STATE/UT e-INITIATIVE PURPOSE/ FEATURES
Andhra AePDS An abbreviation for Aadhar enabled Public Distribution
Pradesh System, AePDS digitize the ration cards data into a
centralized database, which further eliminates fake and
bogus ration cards.
AP ONLINE An integrated citizen services web portal providing
citizen-centric services such as certificates related to
Birth and Death, Property Registration, Driving License,
Payment of taxes and utility bills, etc.
CARD An acronym for Computerization Administration of
Registration Department. This Project ensures
transparency in property valuation and efficiency in the
record management system.
e-SEVA e-Seva provides public services such as registration of
birth and death certificates, vehicle registration, driving
licenses, utility bill payment, payment of taxes, trade
licenses, sale of non-judicial stamps, etc.
RTPMS An abbreviation for Real-Time Pollution Monitoring
System, RTPMS is a unique initiative for the better
management of pollution thereby ensuring better air and
water quality.
SAUKARYAM It provides open access to government information
required by the citizens and aims to bring in
transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public
service delivery. It provides multi-dimensional services
as a one-stop solution ranging from taxation to city
sanitation in Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation.

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 VOICE An abbreviation for Vijayawada Online Information
Centre, VOICE provides a range of government
information about tender notices, various online
services, tax collection, property management, public
utilities, etc. This is a joint endeavor of the World Bank,
the State Government, and the Vijayawada Municipal
Corporation (VMC).
Arunachal e-FOREST FIRE e-Forest Fire is a unique app for Himalayan Forest Fire
Pradesh Prediction. This app not only gives information on
current fire points but also helps in identifying fire-prone
locations to help experts in creating preventive measures
Bihar MUDRA An acronym for Municipal Corporation towards Digital
Revenue Administration, the MUDRA project
computerized the tax collection system of Patna
Municipal Corporation.
SAMVIDA It is an online portal for the recruitment of
contractual/volunteer services under various government
schemes. It was established to make recruitment
processes more efficient, effective, economical, and
transparent.
SEITRA An abbreviation for Smart Energy Infrastructure and
Revenue Administration System, SEITRA is an
integrated framework to manage electrical infrastructure
and produce energy bills for the consumers. It integrated
web, mobile, and GIS-based technology for electricity
infrastructure planning, project monitoring, electricity
billing through Mobile App, etc.
STAMINA Sales Tax Administration Management Information
Network Aided (STAMINA) provides for effective and
efficient sales tax administration.
Chandigarh e-SAMPARK e-Sampark is a multi-service single-window initiative,
which brings together all the services of the Government
departments under one single umbrella.
Chhattisgarh COSMOS The Chhattisgarh Online School Monitoring System
(COSMOS) is an integrated system used for recording
and monitoring of school data in real-time. It provides a
comprehensive solution for efficient monitoring and
controlling of school-level information.
KHANIJ It is a web-based portal for Integrated Mines and
ONLINE Minerals Management System. It was created for
empowering registered Stakeholders including officials
to act as a center of delivery.

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 PDLD PDLD stands for Padhe Dantewada Likhe Dantewada,
which is an e-initiative towards improving, measuring,
digitally monitoring, and tracking health and educational
parameters of the children in the Dantewada district. It
digitally tracks the performance of school students to
improve learning level and health care through Mobile
App and website.

Goa DHARANI A web-based solution for maintenance of Land Records.

It also conducts a digital crop survey.

Gujarat e-CITY This project provides better delivery of municipal

services to the citizens living under the jurisdiction of
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). e-City
provides easy access to the information related to
payment of fees/taxes on the website of AMC and
reduces paperwork, and fasten the decision-making
process.

MAHITI A web portal acts as a single-window system for

SHAKTI disseminating information related to all public services
with the provision of online submission of the form and
payment of the fee required.

SUGAM An abbreviation for Services Using e-Governance

Applications on Mobile, SUGAM is an android based
App and Web portal offering a varied range of District
Collectorate services to citizens.

SWAGAT An acronym for State-wise Attention on Public

Grievances by Application of Technology, SWAGAT
launches a unique grievances redressal system by
establishing direct contact between CM and citizens.

XGN eXtended Green Node (XGN) is a web-based

application for aiding the Gujarat Pollution Control
Board to effectively implement the environmental laws.

Haryana ANTYODAYA- Antyodaya-SARAL Portal acts as a single service

SARAL delivery portal with anytime anywhere access to the
citizens. Its other features include live status tracking of
service requests, timely service delivery, complete
digitization of services & schemes. Antyodaya-SARAL
Dashboard acts as an accountability and performance
monitoring portal for departments.

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 G- It provides complete spatial referencing of the
TRIANGULATION landholdings across the district of Gurugram. It also
validates the landholding details and enables the district
administration to do the geo-referencing. The
administration is using these digital maps for the
management of property taxation.
Himachal e-HRMS MANAV It provides for better personnel management through
Pradesh SAMPDA electronic service record and assists the top management
in managing the employees’ data, recruitment planning,
data about retiring employees, and re-allocation of
surplus employees, and other functions of personnel
management.
e-VIDHAN An e-initiative for full automation of the functions of the
legislative assembly and make the whole legislative
process paperless.
HIMRIS An abbreviation for Himachal Registration Information
System, HIMRIS is software for automation of the land
records. It offers uniform enforcement of changes,
tapping of leakages in revenue, spot registration by
standardizing registration process in the state.
IOHRS IOHRS (Integrated Online Hotels Reservation System)
is a web-enabled system that is integrated with travel
portals and mobile apps. It provides online information
related to hotels’ reservations such as tariffs,
promotional offers, and facilities, etc.
LOKMITRA This project offers e-services such as online registration,
rural e-mail, information related to farm products rate
and marketing, public grievance redressal, caste and
income certificates, information regarding land records.
MDM-ARMS An abbreviation for Mid-Day Meal - Automated
Reporting and Management System, MDM-ARMS
ensures instant reporting about the mid-day meals served
in the government schools.
Jammu and SAKOON SAKOON was conceptualized and implemented by Dr.
Kashmir Piyush Singla, (Deputy Commissioner) in the Udhampur
district, to quickly capture, process, and disburse the
relief payment to sufferers of various natural disasters in
a time-bound manner.
Jharkhand VASUDHA An e-initiative for effective management of Land
Records in digital format.

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Karnataka BHOOMI It provides computerized land records and automation of
the processes related to the management of land records.
KHAJANE An online treasury project for the computerization of all
treasury offices and connect them with a central server
at the State Secretariat through VSAT (Very Small
Aperture Terminal). It also monitors stock of stamps in
the state and maintains details regarding payment of
pensions and social welfare schemes.
SAMRAKSHANE It is a transparent and farmer-friendly system developed
for performing the functions of enrolment of farmers,
registering their claims, compensation calculation, and
payment under the Crop Insurance Schemes.
Kerala e-JAALAKAM It is a model e-literacy project established with the
purpose to enhance the citizens’ ability to access various
online services offered by the government.

FRIENDS An abbreviation for Fast, Reliable, Instant, Efficient

Network for the Disbursement of Services, FRIENDS
facilitates payments related to nearly 1000 types of
public utility services under a single roof.

PEARL An abbreviation for Package for Effective

Administration of Registration Laws, PEARL provides
for computerization of the Registration Department in
Kerala.

WE DESERVE This project was got implemented in Kasaragod district

with the vision of ‘Right assistance to the Right Person
at the Right Time’. The project aims to enable
differently-abled people to avail of various schemes and
benefits.

Madhya GYANDOOT This intranet project in Dhar district offers e-services

Pradesh such as online application for certificates, information
related to farm products rate and marketing, public
grievance redressal, caste, and income certificates in
rural areas.

PANCHAYAT This mobile app facilitates the capturing and

DARPAN dissemination of real-time and authentic information
about rural governance and development. It facilitates
the citizens to view the financial details of gram
panchayats and other details about the activities of
panchayats.

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 SAMAGRA Samagra portal is a common integrated platform that
facilitates an all-inclusive, holistic, proactive, and
entitlement based model of governance.

Maharashtra MAHA RERA An abbreviation for Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory

Authority, Maha RERA is a digital platform to register
real estate projects and make builders accountable for
their projects.

SARITA An abbreviation for Stamps and Registration

Information Technology based Administration, SARITA
ensures transparency in property valuation and
registration system, and efficiency in the record
management system.

SETU The SETU project provides services including

grievances redress, registration of letters, petitions for all
sections of the society, single-window clearance of
important certificates, etc.

WARANA Wired networking project at the village level for the

effective usage of IT infrastructure in rural areas of
Kolhapur and Sangli districts. It aims to provide
agricultural, medical, and education information through
facilitation booths with the help of co-operative
societies.

Manipur LOUCHA It is an online Land Record Computerization and

PATHAP National Generic Document Registration System
(NGDRS) for android based mobile devices. It provides
easy access to the land record in pdf format through
smartphones. It also provides verification service of
printed Jamabandi with QR/Barcode reader.

Odisha GO SWIFT An abbreviation for the Government of Odisha Single

Window for Investor Facilitation and Tracking, GO
SWIFT portal not only acts as a single-window, one-
stop solution for approval and clearances for industrial
projects but also provides support to the investors in the
entire investment lifecycle.

Punjab e-DISTRICT It ensures citizen-centric service delivery at district, sub-

division, tehsil, and block-level through automation of
workflow, backend computerization, and data
digitization.

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 FARD KENDRA FARD Kendra provides easy access to land records to
the citizens. Record of Land Rights has been
computerized and the data of all districts have already
been put in the public domain via the official website.
The delivery of more land record services at these
Kendras is on the future agenda of PLRS.
SAARTHI AND These two software systems are being used for the
VAHAN delivery of services related to transport. The issuance
system of driving license in Punjab is conducted through
Sarathi software. Vahan software is being used for
registration of vehicles in Punjab.
SAANJH It is aimed to provide an access point to the citizens for
KENDRA various police-related services. It offers to citizens not
only the facility to complain at the police station but also
to find out the status of the complaint filed.
SUWIDHA An abbreviation for Single User-friendly Window
Disposal and Help-line for Applicants, SUWIDHA
Project was established to provide public service
delivery, especially services fall under the G2C
category, within a stipulated time-frame. It provides
convenience to the citizens of single point receipt and
delivery of various services related to various
Departments.
Rajasthan e-MITRA It is an integrated citizen services center implemented
based on the PPP model offering services payment of
utility bills and taxes, ticket reservations, Passport
applications, birth, and death registration, etc.
INTEGRATED It is a dynamic database management portal providing
SHALA DARPAN online information about all government schools and
education offices. The portal compiles Live Data related
to primary and secondary education students, schools,
and academic and non-academic staff.
RAJNIDHI A web-enabled information kiosk system developed
jointly by the Department of Information Technology of
Government of Rajasthan and Rajasthan State Agency
for Computer Services (RajComp).
RAJ-SWIFT SWIFT is an abbreviation for Statewide Intranet on Fast
Track. It facilitates online communication between the
CM office and all the District Collectors on a one-to-one
basis.

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 WSAPS An abbreviation for Wildlife Surveillance and Anti-
Poaching System, WSAPS is aimed at effective
monitoring and surveillance of wildlife animals. It
utilized normal photo/video cameras and thermal
sensing cameras with a wireless network in wildlife
sanctuaries. WSAPS alerts sanctuary officers in case of
any incident and also provides analysis reports about
movement patterns of wildlife species.
Tamil Nadu STAR This Project ensures transparency in property valuation
and registration system, and efficiency in the record
management system.
Telangana T-Chits T-Chits is a Blockchain-based platform for capturing
transactions and verification of the data related to the
Chit Fund business. It also enables smart and secure
transactions for automated and trusted financial
transactions between all parties involved in the business
of the Chit Fund.
Uttar Digital Land It is a comprehensive system of Land Management,
Pradesh which provides an end-to-end IT solution for land
records. Every information related to rural land is
available on one click and Record of Rights (RoR) is
easily available in digital format to the citizens through
CSCs, Lokwani Kendras, Tehsil Counters. RoR can also
be viewed online free of cost through BHULEKH
mobile app.
Uttarakhand CUAS Centralized Utility Approval System (CUAS) is an e-
initiative for the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd.
(UPCL). It automates the service delivery mechanism of
the UPCL. It is a user-friendly single window-based
system for providing new electricity connections to its
consumers.
West Bengal e-ABGARI e-Abgari has enabled online communication among all
excise officials and other excise related stakeholders
across the state. It increased the enforcement and
regulatory capabilities of the Excise Department through
ICT enabled BPR.
KANYASHREE Kanyashree scheme seeks to improve the status and
ONLINE 2.0 wellbeing of girls, specifically belongs to socio-
economically disadvantaged families. Kanyshree portal
ensures Conditional Cash Transfers for their education
for a longer period and to eradicate the practice of child
marriage.
Source: Compiled from Official Websites

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NeSDA and Present Status of e-Governance in India

The National E-Government Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA) is a

framework established in August 2018, to evaluate the Online Service Index (OSI) and
assess Citizens’ view on the public service delivery under UN-EGDI. In the UN survey
on e-governance (2018) India was placed 96th out of 193 countries assessed on EGDI.
NeSDA primarily assessed all the service portals of center and state governments in India
on the key parameters of accessibility, content availability, ease of use, information
security and privacy, end-service delivery, integrated service delivery, and status &
request tracking. This assessment is conducted across the sectors of finance, labor, and
employment, education, local government, social welfare, and the environment.44

National Conference on E-Governance

DARPG along with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY),
GoI, in association with one of the State/UT Governments organizes the National Conference on
e-Governance (NCeG) every year since 1997. The 23rd National Conference on e-Governance
was held at Mumbai, Maharashtra on 7-8 February 2020. The NCeG is a unique platform for
senior administrators, IT managers from the governments, resource persons, experts, intellectuals
from the industry and academic institutions, etc. to discuss, exchange ideas, views and
experiences in the field of e-governance. It is the most authentic channel for knowledge
dissemination about effective methods of designing and implementing sustainable e-initiatives in
India. The National Awards for e-Governance are also presented in the Conference to recognize
and promote excellence in the implementation of e-initiatives by various government
departments, organizations, and agencies and also by non-government organizations.45

Summing Up
This chapter throws light on the history of e-governance in India and its present
status. The role and contribution of various entities such as National Informatics Center
(NIC), Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), five-
year plans, Information Technology Act, National e-governance Plan (NeGP), Digital
India Campaign, National e-Governance Division (NeGD), National e-Governance

44
https://www.nesdaportal.in/about_nesda.php [Accessed: 13/06/2020]
45
https://nceg.gov.in/ [Accessed: 14/03/2020]

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Advisory Group, National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG), National E-
Government Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA), etc, in the development of e-
governance in India are discussed briefly. Details of various initiatives central and state
governments under the Digital India campaign are also mentioned in a matrix chart. also
provides vital information about the other e-initiatives successfully carried out in India at
National and State levels. The chapter finds that there is no unified policy applicable
across all e-initiatives in India. It was also found that no specific initiative is to get
developed to date to impart training for ensured accountability/transparency-related
measures. It can be expected that the suggested Electronic Delivery of Services Act will
resolve all these issues concerned with policy and regulations.

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