India has undergone a remarkable digital transformation in recent years, positioning itself as a global leader in digital adoption. Driven by advances in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and digital governance, the country’s digital infrastructure is rapidly evolving to meet the growing needs of both public and private sectors. Key initiatives have been launched to enhance the nation’s digital framework, ensuring accessibility, scalability, and security in government services, while fostering economic growth and improving citizens’ lives.
A major component of India’s digital infrastructure is the development of data centers, which are essential for supporting cloud computing, data storage, and AI/ML applications. India’s data center industry is set for substantial growth, with IT load capacity expected to rise from the current 1,000 MW. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has developed state-of-the-art National Data Centres (NDC) in cities such as Delhi, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad, offering cloud services to various government departments, state governments, and public sector enterprises. These centers provide vital disaster recovery services and ensure continuity of government operations. With a storage capacity of around 100PB, these data centers support cloud-based workloads and contribute significantly to the nation’s digital backbone.
Additionally, a new NDC is being established in Guwahati, Assam, aimed at further strengthening the digital infrastructure in the Northeast region, which has faced unique connectivity challenges.
India’s cloud service ecosystem has been a critical driver of its digital transformation. The National Informatics Centre’s (NIC) project to enhance cloud services, launched in 2022, aims to further upgrade the country’s cloud infrastructure, ensuring faster and more efficient delivery of e-Governance services. More than 300 government departments are now leveraging cloud services, contributing to the rapid expansion of India’s digital public infrastructure.
The GI Cloud (MeghRaj) initiative, which provides ICT services to all government departments across India, ensures optimal use of IT resources while accelerating the development of e-Government applications, including digital payments, identity verification, and consent-based data sharing.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to foundational digital systems that are secure, interoperable, and accessible, supporting essential public services. In India, DPI has been a transformative force in the digital economy, similar to traditional infrastructure in fostering industrial growth. Key achievements include the Aadhaar program, which provides the world’s largest digital identity system, and the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), which has revolutionized digital payments and financial inclusion.
Other essential platforms include DigiLocker for digital document verification, Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for public procurement, and UMANG, which consolidates government services for easy access. Health services have been enhanced through initiatives like Co-WIN and Aarogya Setu, while digital health infrastructure includes eSanjeevani (telemedicine), e-Hospital, and e-Courts for efficient healthcare and judicial services.
India’s digital public infrastructure also supports skill development through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) and facilitates access to services for rural populations via Common Services Centres (CSCs). As of October 2024, more than 5.84 lakh CSCs are operational, providing over 800 services, including government schemes, education, and financial services.
The National Knowledge Network (NKN), launched in 2010, is a high-speed data communication network that connects national and state data centers, district centers, and digital India initiatives. It supports both Government-to-Government (G2G) and Government-to-Citizen (G2C) services, enhancing resource-sharing and collaborative research. NKN currently connects over 1,800 institutions and 637 district centers, improving digital governance and the efficiency of e-Government services.
The government’s digital initiatives prioritize the convenience and accessibility of services for citizens. UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-Age Governance) consolidates services across sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and pensions, with over 7.12 crore users. The platform offers 2,077 services across 32 states and union territories.
The MeriPehchaan platform, which provides a National Single Sign-On (SSO) service, has processed over 132 crore transactions, simplifying access to government services. The e-Hastakshar service enables citizens to digitally sign documents, providing a legal alternative to physical signatures, with over 81.97 crore e-Signatures issued.
The push for paperless governance has been accelerated with platforms like DigiLocker, which allows for digital storage and verification of documents. Over 37 crore users have registered on this platform, simplifying document management for citizens and government agencies. Similarly, the GovDrive platform enables secure, cloud-based storage for government officials, promoting efficient and secure document sharing across departments.
Furthermore, platforms like API Setu enable the seamless exchange of data across government systems, supporting more than 312 crore transactions. The MyGov platform encourages citizen engagement by allowing individuals to share feedback on government policies and initiatives, fostering greater transparency and involvement in governance.
