Digital Government in India
DigiLocker and Paperless Government
How DigiLocker and other e-governance services let citizens store official documents digitally and access services online, and what paperless government saves.
Dealing with government often meant queues, forms and photocopies. Digital services are changing this.
DigiLocker
DigiLocker, launched in 2015, is a digital wallet for official documents. Citizens can access:
- Driving licences and vehicle registration.
- Aadhaar and PAN.
- School and university certificates.
- Insurance documents.
Documents issued directly into DigiLocker are legally valid, like originals. Hundreds of millions of people use it.
Other e-governance services
- UMANG app brings many central and state services into one app.
- Passport Seva for online passport applications.
- e-District portals for certificates.
- Common Service Centres in villages, where operators help people access online services.
Economic benefits
- Lower costs: fewer trips, less paperwork.
- Time savings for citizens and officials.
- Less corruption: fewer face-to-face interactions where bribes might be demanded.
- Faster verification for employers, universities and banks.
Challenges
- Digital literacy: some people need help using services.
- Connectivity in rural areas.
- Data security.
- Integration across departments.
The bigger picture
Paperless government reduces transaction costs, which economists see as barriers to economic activity.
A student applying to college shares her class 12 marksheet directly from DigiLocker. The college verifies it instantly, without photocopies or attested documents.
Common Service Centres help rural citizens access services, though connectivity and literacy still matter.
- DigiLocker, launched in 2015, stores legally valid digital documents.
- UMANG and other portals bring many services online.
- Paperless services cut costs, time and corruption.
- Digital literacy and connectivity remain barriers.
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