Digital India at 11: How Modi’s Vision Revolutionised Governance and Empowered Millions
From Aadhaar to UMANG, DBT to DigiLocker — India's digital backbone now delivers faster, smarter, and fairer public services.
New Delhi, June 12 (TheTrendingPeople): A vision once introduced with the slogan "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" is now being realized with cutting-edge technology through the ambitious Digital India initiative. Launched in 2015 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the initiative has evolved into the backbone of modern governance, making public services transparent, efficient, and accessible to all — especially the poor and marginalised.
On Thursday, PM Modi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the mission’s achievements, stating:
“Service delivery and transparency have been greatly boosted. Technology has become a means of empowering the lives of the poorest of the poor.”
Here's a deep dive into how the Digital India mission has transformed lives and unlocked a new era of inclusive development in its 11th year.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Cutting Out Middlemen
Among the biggest achievements under Digital India is the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme. With over 322 schemes under 56 ministries now integrated into DBT, ₹44 lakh crore has been transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
Not only has this prevented corruption, but the government also claims it saved ₹3.48 lakh crore by eliminating leakages and middlemen.
Growth at a Glance:
- 90-fold increase in DBT transfers in 10 years
- Seamless benefit delivery to crores of rural and urban poor
- Accessibility to government aid through Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity
Aadhaar: The World’s Largest Digital Identity Revolution
The Aadhaar system, launched to give every citizen a unique 12-digit identification number, now powers India’s digital transformation.
With over 150 billion Aadhaar authentication transactions and universal coverage of India’s 140 crore population, Aadhaar has become the cornerstone of every major government service and benefit.
It enables:
- Real-time identity verification
- Efficient targeting of welfare schemes
- Seamless banking and mobile registration
DigiLocker: Toward a Paperless Nation
The DigiLocker platform has brought India closer to paperless governance. Citizens can store and access digital copies of important documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, driving licenses, and academic certificates.
Key Milestones:
- 52+ crore registered users
- 852 crore documents issued/stored
- Used extensively in education, transport, and hiring sectors
Jeevan Pramaan: Dignity for Pensioners
The Jeevan Pramaan (Digital Life Certificate) initiative eliminates the hassle pensioners once faced in verifying their existence to banks.
As of June 2025:
- Over 10 crore pensioners registered
- More than 1.43 crore digital certificates submitted since November 2024
No longer do elderly citizens need to physically visit government offices — a massive leap for senior citizen welfare.
UMANG App: One Nation, One Digital Gateway
Launched as the Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG), the app consolidates access to over 2,000+ central and state-level government services.
Popular services include:
- PAN application
- Passport Seva
- EPFO balance check
- Utility bill payments
Usage Stats:
- 8.21 crore registered users
- Over 597 crore transactions
Rural Uplift: PMGDISHA Digital Literacy Programme
To ensure no Indian is left behind in the digital revolution, the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA) was launched to bridge the rural-urban digital divide.
Millions in villages have since been trained in basic digital literacy — from using smartphones to accessing e-governance portals.
Modi Government's Broader Digital Vision
The Digital India initiative now touches every sector:
- Healthcare: CoWIN app enabled smooth vaccination drives
- Education: Online platforms like DIKSHA for remote learning
- Agriculture: E-NAM and Kisan Credit Card access digitally
- Banking: Jan Dhan accounts and UPI have revolutionized financial inclusion
What’s Next?
With the continued expansion of 5G, fibre-optic connectivity in villages, AI-based governance, and real-time data monitoring, Digital India is only getting started.
PM Modi's administration is betting big on technology as the bedrock of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) 2047.