Digital India - Increasing Internet Connectivity

Digital India Mission is a campaign launched by the Government of India to ensure that the government services are easily available online to the citizens. The mission aims at increasing internet connectivity by making the country digitally powerful in the field of technology.

What is Digital India?

Digital India is an initiative taken by the Government of India for providing high-speed internet services to rural areas. The mission Digital India was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1st July 2015 as a beneficiary scheme to other government schemes such as Make in India, Bharatmala, Startup India, BharatNet and Standup India.

Digital India mainly focuses on the following major areas:

• Provide digital infrastructure as a source of utility for every citizen
• Governance and services on demand
• To look after the digital authority of the citizens

9 Pillars of Digital India

Broadband Highways

Broadband highways cover three sub-components - Rural, Urban and National Information Infrastructure. Department of Telecommunications has been responsible for the Nodal Department and the whole project cost is approx Rs. 32,000 crores

e-Governance

With the help of IT, it has enhanced the transactions which are the most critical to transforming it across government departments. The program carries various aspects form simplification, tracking of online applications and preparation of online repositories.

Electronics Manufacturing

This component aims to target NET ZERO imports. This contains the tax incentives, skill development and procurement by government agencies.

Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity

This pillar focuses on increasing network penetration and fills the gaps in connectivity across the nation. A total of 42,300 villages are targeted to be covered.

e-Kranti

There are 31 missions under distinct stages of the e-governance project. The 10 new MMPs has been added to the e-Kranti by the APex Committee on National e-Governance Plan, which is headed by the Cabinet Secretary.

IT for jobs

This pillar focuses on educating one crore students from smaller towns and villages for IT sector jobs. The Department of Electronics and Information Technology will be a nodal department of this scheme.

Public Internet Access Programme

There are two sub-components of this program such as common service centres and post offices as multi-service centres. The Department of Electronics and Information technology is the nodal department.

Information for All

Information for all focuses on online internet website hosting service of data and realistic participation with social media and web-based systems like MyGov.

Early Harvest

This feature aims to build an integrated electronic infrastructure and support the concept of digital governance in each corner of administration. The use of biometric attendance and setting up Wi-Fi is focused under this mission.

Advantages of Digital India Mission

Digital India Mission is an initiative that plans to connect the rural areas of the country with high-speed internet connectivity. Some of the advantages of the Digital India Mission are as follows:

• Approx 12000 Post Office branches in the rural areas are linked electronically
• There is an augmentation in electronic transaction related to e-governance
• Around 2,74,246 km has connected over 1.15 lakh Gram Panchayats under the Baharat Net programme
• A common service centre is created under the National e-governance project of the Indian Government that gives access to information and communication technology. The CSC provides multimedia content related to e-governance, education, health, telemedicine, entertainment, private services and other government services
• Inauguration of digital villages with well-equipped facilities such as solar lighting, LED assembly unit and Wi-Fi Choupal
• Internet data are used as a primary tool for the delivery of the services
• Currently, internet users have reached 300 million from 10-15 million daily users. And, it has been estimated that the numbers would double by 2020

The Goal of Digital India Mission

The Digital India mission is ‘Power to Empower’. There are three main components of this initiative - Digital Infrastructure, Digital Delivery Services and Digital Literacy.

This also includes:

• To provide a high-speed internet network in all Gram Panchayat
• To give easy access to the common service centre (CSC) in all localities
• The Digital India Programme also focuses on differently organizing existed schemes, which can be executed in a synchronized manner
• The initiative combines a large number of ideas and thoughts into a single large vision so that each of them will be seen as a part of a larger goal

Steps for Digital India Registration

Follow these simple steps to register for Digital India:

• Visit the Digital India website
• On the home page click on the Franchise Registration option and register yourself on the portal
• A page will appear with a contact franchise form, fill the details like Name, Email ID, Mobile Number, Address, City, Pin Code, State, Country, Retailer shop name, Current business
• Thereafter, you must upload the documents like aadhaar card, PAN Card, photograph and digital signature
• To upload these documents click on the button under each of the categories. The file should be in JPG format of size DPI (dots per inch)
• Now, click Submit on the application button
• You will receive the user ID and password within 24 to 48 hours your registered email ID
• You can start using the Digital India portal by logging in with your user ID and password

Challenges Faced in Digitalise India Mission

The government of India has taken an initiative of Digital India to connect the rural areas of the country with high-speed networks. During this mission, the government has faced many challenges as mentioned below:

• The internet speed of the Wi-Fi and other networks were slowed down as compared to other developed nations
• Some small and medium scale Industry has faced hindrance for adapting contemporary technologies
• Lack of proficient manpower in the field of digital technology
• The entry-level of smartphones become fewer for smooth internet access
• Cybersecurity experts keep an eye to check and monitor the growing threat of digital crime
• Lack of user education in term of digital aspects