Context: Recently, the Prime Minister of India announced the launch of two India-led initiatives: the Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository and a Social Impact Fund

About Global Digital Public Infrastructure (GDPIR) 

• It is a comprehensive resource hub, pooling essential lessons and expertise from G20 members and guest nations. 

• Its primary aim is to bridge the knowledge gap in the choices and methodologies required for the design, construction, deployment, and governance of DPIs. 

Digital public infrastructure (DPI)

• Set of shared digital systems - evolving concept

• Built and leveraged by both the public and private sectors, based on secure and resilient infrastructure

The IT Ministry-developed repository serves as a "resource hub" for global DPI projects by various governments

• Current examples on the website include India's Aadhaar and DigiLocker, Singapore's National Digital Identity system, the European Union's Digital Identity Wallet, and more

• India's DPI push largely focused on how governments can use DPI to improve governance and service deliver

Social Impact Fund (SIF)

• The fund will financially support countries developing DPIs, providing "upstream technical and non-technical assistance". 

• The platform allows other governments, international organisations, and philanthropies to contribute to the fund too.

• It is envisioned as a government-led, multistakeholder initiative to fast-track DPI implementation in the global south. 

• This fund will offer financial support to provide upstream technical and non-technical assistance to countries in developing DPI systems. 

• India has pledged an initial commitment of 25 million USD.

Significance of DPI

• Concept: Digital systems that provide large-scale services to society.

• Benefits: Empowers citizens, promotes digital inclusion, and improves service delivery.

• Indian Success: Praised globally for innovations like Aadhaar and UPI.

• UPI Transactions: Recorded 9 billion transactions worth Rs 14 lakh crore in May.

Global Response and Collaborations

• MOUs Signed: Eight countries collaborating with India on digital infrastructure.

• World Bank Praise: Recognized India’s achievement in financial inclusion through DPI.

• Financial Inclusion: India achieved 80% financial inclusion in 6 years, a process that could have taken 47 years without DPI.

• UPI and GDP: UPI transactions last year nearly 50% of India’s nominal GDP.

G20 Declaration on DPI

• Focus Areas: Safety, security, resilience, and trust in the digital economy.

• AI Governance: Promoting discussions on international governance for Artificial Intelligence.

• Human Rights and Privacy: Asserting DPI’s role in respecting human rights, data privacy, and intellectual property rights.