. 11/10/2024 4:18 PM
The collaboration between DigiLocker and the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-Age Governance) app marks a significant milestone in India's digital governance journey. This partnership aims to simplify access to a variety of government services for citizens by integrating two of the country’s most essential digital platforms, streamlining the process of document management and service delivery.
DigiLocker is a cloud-based platform developed under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as part of the Digital India initiative. It allows users to securely store and manage their important documents like Aadhaar, PAN, and driving licenses. These documents are digitally verified and can be shared with authorized agencies, reducing the need for physical copies.
UMANG, launched in 2017, is a unified platform that integrates over 2,000 government services from various central, state, and local agencies. Services range from paying utility bills to accessing pension schemes, land records, and health services, making it a one-stop solution for interacting with the government.
The integration between these two platforms brings government services even closer to the public, eliminating barriers of access, while enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Unified Access to Services
The integration enables citizens to manage multiple government services directly through the DigiLocker app. Users can now seamlessly access UMANG’s extensive list of services without switching between platforms, ensuring a smoother, more user-friendly experience.
Legal Validity of Documents
Documents stored on DigiLocker and accessed through the UMANG app are considered legally equivalent to their physical counterparts under the Information Technology Act, 2000. This means users can present these digital documents, which are authenticated by the issuing authorities, for official purposes across various government departments.
Enhanced Security and Convenience
DigiLocker ensures that the documents stored are safe, encrypted, and accessible only to the user or authorized agencies. This integration reduces paperwork, the need for physical storage, and the risk of document tampering or misplacement, while providing a high level of convenience.
Interoperability of Government Services
By merging DigiLocker’s secure document management with UMANG’s wide-ranging services, the integration promotes interoperability within India’s e-governance system. Citizens can use DigiLocker to verify their identity while accessing any service on the UMANG app, ranging from tax filings to healthcare records, all in one place.
To benefit from this seamless integration, users can follow these simple steps:
Update: Ensure the DigiLocker app is updated to its latest version.
Install UMANG: Users who do not have the UMANG app will be prompted to install it from within DigiLocker.
Access Services: After installation, citizens can access UMANG’s services through the DigiLocker interface.
Service Exploration: Once set up, users can explore a variety of services, from e-documents like school certificates to utility payments, health-related services, and more, all in one ecosystem.
This partnership is a significant step in India’s effort to establish a digital-first approach to governance. By providing an accessible, paperless, and streamlined process, the integration supports the government's broader vision of creating efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly systems.
Some of the major benefits include:
Increased Efficiency: Reduces the time and effort required for citizens to access critical services.
Sustainability: Paperless documentation significantly reduces the environmental impact of physical document storage and handling.
Cost Savings: The digital platform minimizes the need for physical resources, which results in cost savings for both the government and citizens.
Inclusivity: The mobile-first approach ensures that citizens in rural and underserved areas can access government services without needing physical offices or intermediaries.
In parallel to this digital transformation, other areas of India's digital ecosystem are undergoing significant changes. For instance, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been under scrutiny for its declining subscriber base and service quality. A parliamentary committee has expressed concerns about BSNL’s competitive position in the market, urging for significant improvements in mobile coverage and service reliability. BSNL’s response has been to initiate reforms and bolster its network infrastructure, with improvements expected within six months.
