ICT and Governance
E-Governance (Electronic Governance) is the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for delivering government services, exchange of information, and integration of various stand-alone systems between government to citizen (G2C), government to business (G2B), and government to government (G2G). In Unit 7, we looked at the data aspects of governance; here, we focus on the specific ICT tools and platforms enabling it in India.
The "Digital India" Architecture
Launched in 2015, the Digital India program is a flagship initiative designed to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The infrastructure relies heavily on cloud computing, mobile architecture, and biometric identification (Aadhaar).
| Platform | Function / Purpose |
|---|---|
| DigiLocker | A secure cloud-based platform for storage, sharing, and verification of documents and certificates. It aims to eliminate the use of physical documents and enable sharing of verified electronic documents across agencies. |
| UMANG | (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) A single, unified, secure, multi-channel, multi-platform mobile app offering access to over a thousand central and state government services. |
| MyGov | A citizen engagement platform designed to promote active participatory governance by crowd-sourcing ideas from citizens. |
| GeM | (Government e-Marketplace) A one-stop online procurement portal for government officers to purchase common use goods and services, ensuring transparency and reducing corruption. |
💡 Examiner's Note
Be prepared to identify which platform serves which purpose. e.g. If a question asks about "digital document verification," the answer is DigiLocker, not UMANG.
Advantages of ICT in Governance
- Disintermediation: Eliminating the middle-man in service delivery, which drastically reduces corruption and delays.
- Traceability: Digital trails allow for perfect auditing of financial transactions (e.g., Direct Benefit Transfers).
- 24/7 Availability: Services are no longer bound by office hours, allowing citizens to access portals at any time.
Academic References
- Heeks, R. (2001). Understanding e-governance for development. iGovernment Working Paper Series, (11).