Context: There are several reforms and governance initiatives that have successfully steered India to its current strength.

Contribution of Digital India program

• A report carding of Digital India’s performance shows impressive progress.
• Thus far, the government has transferred more than Rs 17 lakh crore through DBT while saving Rs 2.2 lakh crore.
• Today, India has the world’s fastest-growing and most vibrant startup ecosystem with close to 70,000 registered startups and around 100 unicorns, with a unicorn coming up every week.

GST regime: Thanks to the most significant reform in indirect taxation through the GST and tax compliance, India has registered its highest ever collections.

• Revenue increased from Rs 22 lakh crore in FY 21 to Rs 27 lakh crore in FY 22 — a whopping 22 per cent growth.

Role in India’s response to pandemic: Digital India played a significant role in India’s response to the pandemic.

• It ensured that the government could reach people in remote parts of the country.
• Health, education and other essential services migrated swiftly to the online mode.

Use of technology for governance amid pandemic

• Digital India played a significant role in India’s response to the pandemic.
• It ensured that the government could reach people in remote parts of the country.
• Health, education and other essential services migrated swiftly to the online mode.
• It would not be an aberration to say that post-Covid, India emerged as a preeminent nation in the use of technology for governance.

Road Ahead

• The rapid digitalisation of the world along with a new focus on trust in the global supply chains for digital products and services presents tremendous opportunities for India and its youth.  It is now up to all of us to engage in a collective “sabka prayas” to realise New India’s economic potential.

By: Shubham Tiwari