Digital India at 10: A Decade of Transformation Under PM Modi's Vision
On July 1, 2025, India celebrates the 10th anniversary of Digital India, a transformative initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 to propel the nation into a digitally empowered future. Under PM Modi's personal conviction and relentless drive, Digital India has redefined governance, economic inclusion, and everyday life, positioning India as a global leader in digital innovation. From revolutionising financial transactions with UPI to enabling seamless access to services through DigiLocker and DigiYatra, and powering India's fight against poverty and Covid-19, Digital India has been an absolute game-changer
PM Modi's Vision
Prime Minister Modi's unwavering belief in technology as a tool for empowerment has been the cornerstone of Digital India's success. Envisioning a connected, inclusive, and transparent India, PM Modi championed the initiative as a means to bridge the urban-rural divide, reduce bureaucratic red tapism and ensure equitable access to opportunities.
His mantra of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" has driven the adoption of digital platforms to deliver services directly to citizens, eliminating intermediaries and curbing corruption. From spearheading the JAM (Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhar and Mobile) Trinity to promoting indigenous innovations like UPI, PM Modi's hands-on leadership has transformed Digital India into a global model, earning accolades from world leaders and institutions for its scale and impact.
JAM Trinity and DBT
A cornerstone of Digital India's impact is the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, built on the JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan (financial inclusion), Aadhaar (unique identity), and Mobile connectivity. This framework has set a new global benchmark for welfare delivery.
Since 2014, over 53 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened, bringing banking to the unbanked, particularly in rural areas. Aadhaar, with over 140 crore enrolments, provides a secure digital identity, while mobile penetration (1.2 billion connections) ensures last-mile connectivity. Together, they have enabled DBT to transfer over Rs 36 lakh crore directly to beneficiaries across 2,200+ schemes by 2024, saving Rs 3.1 lakh crore by eliminating leakages and ghost beneficiaries.
This system has been pivotal in India's fight against poverty. By ensuring subsidies for food, fuel, education, and healthcare reach the intended recipients, DBT has empowered millions, particularly women and marginalised communities. For instance, schemes like PM Kisan Samman Nidhi have supported 11 crore farmers with direct income transfers, while Ujjwala Yojana has provided 10 crore LPG connections to rural women. The World Bank has lauded India's DBT as a model for developing nations, crediting PM Modi's vision for its efficiency and scale.
UPI: The World's Best Payment Model
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), launched in 2016 under PM Modi's guidance, has revolutionised digital payments, making India a global fintech leader. UPI's simple, secure, and instant transaction system has processed over 1,600 crore transactions monthly in 2024, accounting for 80 per cent of global real-time payment volumes. With a transaction value exceeding Rs 200 lakh crore annually, UPI has outpaced systems like Visa and Mastercard in accessibility and adoption. Its interoperability allows users to pay via QR codes, mobile apps, or USSD, even in remote areas, fostering financial inclusion.
UPI's global impact is profound. Countries like Singapore, UAE, and France have adopted UPI-based systems, while the G20 has recognized it as a blueprint for digital economies. PM Modi's push for UPI has empowered small vendors, street hawkers, and rural entrepreneurs, integrating them into the formal economy. By reducing cash dependency, UPI has also enhanced transparency, curbing black money and tax evasion.
DigiLocker and DigiYatra
Digital India has transformed everyday convenience through platforms like DigiLocker and DigiYatra. DigiLocker, a cloud-based platform, has issued over 6.5 crore digital documents to 150 crore users by 2024, enabling paperless access to IDs, certificates, and licences. This has simplified processes like job applications, education admissions, and government verifications, saving time and costs. Under PM Modi's oversight, DigiLocker's integration with Aadhaar and UPI has made it a cornerstone of e-governance.
DigiYatra, introduced in 2022, has revolutionised air travel by enabling contactless, biometric-based check-ins at over 24 airports, serving 1.5 crore passengers by 2024. By linking facial recognition with boarding passes and Aadhaar, DigiYatra reduces airport processing time by 30 per cent, enhancing traveler convenience. These initiatives reflect PM Modi's commitment to using technology to make life easier for every Indian.
Digital India played a pivotal role in India's world-leading Covid-19 vaccination campaign. The CoWIN platform, developed under PM Modi's guidance, became the backbone of India's vaccine rollout, enabling registration, scheduling, and certification for over 220 crore doses administered by 2024. With 97 per cent first-dose and 90% second-dose coverage, CoWIN's real-time tracking and integration with Aadhaar ensured transparency and efficiency. The platform's open API allowed global replication, with countries like Nigeria adopting similar systems.
Beyond domestic success, PM Modi's Vaccine Maitri initiative leveraged Digital India's infrastructure to supply over 100 million vaccine doses to 100 countries, reinforcing India's role as the 'pharmacy of the world." Digital tools like Aarogya Setu, with 50 crore downloads, further supported contact tracing and health awareness, showcasing Digital India's crisis-response capabilities.
Digital India's impact extends beyond finance and healthcare, transforming multiple sectors and aligning with PM Modi's Viksit Bharat vision. In education, platforms like SWAYAM and DIKSHA have delivered 2,200+ courses to 4 crore students, bridging learning gaps in rural areas. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has created 76 crore ABHA IDs and linked 52 crore health records, revolutionising healthcare delivery through telemedicine (e-Sanjeevani serves 36 crore patients). In agriculture, e-NAM connects 1.76 crore farmers to 1,000+ markets, boosting incomes.
Digital infrastructure, with 7.8 lakh km of optical fiber and 25 lakh Wi-Fi hotspots under BharatNet, has connected 2.5 lakh gram panchayats, empowering rural India. The National Broadband Mission aims for universal 50 Mbps connectivity by 2025, supporting India's $5 trillion economy goal. Initiatives like Smart Cities and e-governance portals (e.g., UMANG, with 2,300+ services) have enhanced urban and administrative efficiency, contributing to economic growth projected at 7.5 per cent annually.
As Digital India marks a decade, its achievements under PM Modi's leadership are unparalleled. From empowering the poor through DBT to setting global standards with UPI, and enhancing convenience with DigiLocker and DigiYatra, the initiative has touched every facet of Indian life. Its role in navigating the Covid-19 crisis and transforming sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture underscores its versatility.
By fostering inclusion, transparency, and innovation, Digital India is the bedrock of PM Modi's Viksit Bharat vision, propelling India toward a developed, digitally empowered future by 2047. As the world looks to India for digital inspiration, PM Modi's legacy as the architect of this revolution shines brighter than ever.
The writer is a national spokesperson of BJP, besides being an author. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views.
tags :
DigiLocker digital india DigiYatra pm narendra modi UPI
view comments
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
July 01, 2025, 15:14 IST
News opinion Opinion | Digital India at 10: A Decade of Transformation Under PM Modi's Vision
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
15 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Stop razing of DUSIB-notified slum at Indira Colony, CPI(M) urges PM
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the General Manager of Northern Railway not to demolish a slum colony in west Delhi's Punjabi Bagh and withdraw the eviction notices served on the dwellers. In a letter, CPI(M) Delhi State secretary Anurag Saxena said the slum, located in Punjabi Bagh's Indira Colony, is notified and listed by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). He claimed that the attempt to demolish the colony is not only 'unconstitutional' but also contrary to Delhi's rehabilitation policy. The party stated that no eviction action should be taken against the slum dwellers without ensuring their prior rehabilitation. It also demanded that an in situ rehabilitation policy be implemented for all slum clusters in Delhi. 'If the demands are not met, then a struggle will be waged against this injustice,' read the letter. The CPI(M) also demanded for the immediate restoration of electricity and water facilities and in-situ rehabilitation for dwellers of the Jai Hind Camp in Masoodpur, and submitted a letter to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta regarding it.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Siddaramaiah dares BJP, JD(S) for debate on development works in Karnataka
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday dared the Opposition BJP and JD(S) for a debate on the development works in the State. Speaking at the 'Sadhana Samavesha' here on Saturday, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the leaders of BJP and JD(S) should have attended the programme to keep themselves abreast about the development works taken up by his government. The event was organised by the Mysuru district administration to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development works worth ₹2,578 crore for Mysuru district. The leaders of the two parties, who were misleading the people of the State with a series of lies, should come to one platform for a debate on the development works of the government. 'I too will come,' the Chief Minister said. He said the Opposition leaders were spreading false propaganda that no development work had been taken up in the State, as the government's treasury had been exhausted due to implementation of guarantee schemes. 'If that was so, how could the government take up works amounting to ₹2,578 crore in Mysuru?', he questioned. He alleged that they were 'envious' of his government's development works. Betrayal Mr. Siddaramaiah accused the BJP and JD(S) of betraying the State by remaining silent on the injustice meted out to Karnataka by the Centre on devolution of taxes. Even though Karnataka contributes ₹4.5 lakh crore in terms of taxes to the Centre, the State receives only ₹65,000 crore. 'For every ₹100 we contribute, we are given back only ₹15,' he said, while regretting the failure of the Lok Sabha members of the BJP and JD(S) from the State to raise the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. None of the Lok Sabha members elected from Karnataka, including Union Ministers H.D. Kumaraswamy and Pralhad Joshi, and MP for Haveri Basavaraj Bommai, had the courage to ask Mr. Modi to correct injustice being meted out to Karnataka. Guarantee programmes Listing out the guarantee programmes of the Congress government in the State, which, he claimed, had helped increase the purchasing power of people, Mr. Siddaramaiah said BJP was copying the 'Karnataka model' of guarantee schemes in other States. Though Mr. Modi had opposed the guarantee schemes when the Congress first announced them in Karnataka by claiming that the State will go 'bankrupt' if they were implemented, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the BJP had now begun copying them (guarantee schemes) in various States, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Further, he said the NDA government in Bihar, in which the BJP was a coalition partner, had now announced 125 units of free power, while Karnataka was providing 200 units of free power. 'Aren't you ashamed Mr. Modi', asked Mr. Siddaramaiah while claiming that the BJP was copying the Karnataka model of guarantee schemes in other States. While contending that the BJP works only for '10%' of the country's population, the Chief Minister claimed that the Congress was committed to bringing the poor, farmers, Dalits, and minorities to the mainstream by implementing programmes for social justice like Right to Information (RTI), Right to Education (RTE), Food Security Act, and NREGA, etc. during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Footwear Fashioned From Rubber Tires As Economic Crisis Hits South Sudan
From Rwanda to Kenya, fashioning footwear from discarded tires has long been a mark of local ingenuity. In South Sudan, however, the creative work of such artisans is now fueled by an economic crisis that has left the government on the verge of bankruptcy and many people struggling to put food on the table. As South Sudan's oil revenues have dwindled, the government for months has been unable to pay civil servants on time. The cash crisis affects everyone from soldiers to teachers, underscoring the range of economic hardship across the country, and many are looking for ways to keep going. Some want cheap shoes, finding them not in supermarkets but in open markets where flip-flops and sandals are fashioned from worn-out tires usually thrown away as rubbish. In Wau, some 650 kilometers (400 miles) from the South Sudanese capital of Juba, shoemaker Emmanuel Achuil works under the shade of a tarpaulin in the town's bustling main market. His hands blackened from grappling with rubber, Achuil uses a blade to carve pieces from discarded tires. Colorful straps are scattered around him like pieces of a puzzle. Achuil, who makes five to 10 pairs a week, told the AP that in recent months he's seen a rise in demand that he and others say is directly related to the rising cost of living here. They say footwear made from scraps of rubber has found a firm place in local markets, confirmed in the ubiquitous displays of such shoes even in open markets in Juba. Two years ago, Achuil was getting five to seven customers a month. Now he expects up to 20 of them, he said. Achuil's shoes can fetch up to 15,000 South Sudanese pounds a pair, or roughly $4, depending on size and quality of finishing. In addition to their affordability, the rough-hewn pairs are praised for their durability. "Even when things get bad - no food, no jobs - this work doesn't fail me," Achuil said. "People always need shoes, especially cheap ones." Akol Majok Ring, a cattle-keeper from the state of Warrap, said he discovered these sandals in March and immediately bought a pair for himself because "they are good for cattle grazing." "When you're moving with the cattle all day, these sandals are perfect," he said. "They're durable and well-suited for the job." The South Sudanese pound has been under pressure since 2023, losing much of its value against the dollar as oil exports are sporadically disrupted by civil war in neighboring Sudan. The economy has been in decline for five consecutive years, hampered by violence stemming mostly from the political contest between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest for alleged subversion. Hyperinflation and widespread food insecurity affect nearly 80% of South Sudan's 11 million people, the same number of people living below the poverty line, according to the World Bank. South Sudan depends on oil revenues to meet 90% of the government's annual budget, but damage earlier this year to the oil pipeline through Sudan left South Sudanese authorities briefly unable to export any crude. The government announced earlier in June that exports were due to resume after repairs to the pipeline. Many government workers are effectively without pay, and unemployment is rampant even as the prices of basic goods skyrocket. Leather shoes in the shops can seem a luxury in these circumstances. "Tire soles last longer," said Deng Akol Athuai, who has been buying from Achuil for years. "I buy one pair, and it lasts me a year or more. They're strong, especially for walking on rough roads." Gabriel Bataku, a 26-year-old who is unemployed in Wau, said of artisans that they "are solving real problems. They just need recognition and support." Achuil has been making shoes since 1996. He is not formally trained. He got his skills as a grade schooler watching older men in their workshops as they went about their business. In those days discarded tires were much easier to find, scavenged from garages or sourced through people throwing them away. But now, he said, "more people are doing this work, so the competition for materials is high." He lamented the lack of formal support, from the government and others, that has left artisans struggling to access the tools of their trade. He wants access to better equipment. Despite the difficulties, he dreams of opening a proper workshop where he would train others. He also hopes to be able to expand his business to other towns in South Sudan. "If I had better cutting tools, and a way to expand, I could train young people," he said. "Many are idle here in Wau. This skill could help them survive." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
