Digital Public Infrastructure & e-Governance in India: Reforms, State Initiatives & Bihar Case Study (2026)

Digital Public Infrastructure & e-Governance in India: Reforms, State Initiatives & Bihar Case Study (2026). Relevant to Competitive Exams

Part A: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in India

1. Meaning of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

DPI refers to foundational digital systems that enable secure, interoperable, population-scale digital services across sectors such as finance, identity, payments, health, skilling, and governance.

Key characteristics:

• Open, interoperable, and scalable
• Government-backed digital rails
• Used by public & private sectors
• Enable innovation by third-party ecosystems

India is globally recognized for its “India Stack” DPI model.

2. Core Components of India’s DPI

India’s DPI can be grouped into three foundational layers:

A. Digital Identity Layer

• Aadhaar: World’s largest digital identity platform
• Used for authentication, DBT, e-KYC

B. Digital Payments Layer

• UPI, IMPS, AePS, RuPay
• Led to near cashless transactions, fintech boom

C. Data Exchange & Consent Layer

• DigiLocker (digital documents)
• Account Aggregator (AA) framework (data sharing in finance)
• ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce)
• ABDM Health Stack (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission)

3. Key DPI Achievements

• India Stack exported to many countries
• UPI > world’s highest real-time digital transactions
• DBT system saved billions via leakages reduction
• Enabled inclusive digital governance, fintech growth, and startup ecosystem

Part B: Major e-Governance Reforms in India

India’s e-Governance evolved in phases:

Phase 1: Computerization (1990s)

• Passenger reservation (Indian Railways)
• Computerization of land records (COLR)

Phase 2: National e-Governance Plan (NeGP, 2006)

• Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) in key sectors:
  ✔ Passports
  ✔ Income Tax
  ✔ Railways
  ✔ MCA21
  ✔ NSDG (National Service Delivery Gateway)
  ✔ State Data Centers

Key institutions created:

• NIC, CERT-In, MeitY, DeiTy

Phase 3: Digital India Mission (2015 onwards)

Focus on Digital Infrastructure + Digital Services + Digital Literacy

Key initiatives:

• DigiLocker
• MyGov
• UMANG
• e-Sign
• e-KYC
• GSTN
• SWAYAM, DIKSHA
• e-SHRAM, NCS
• GeM (Government e-Marketplace)
• FASTag
• BharatNet
• Common Service Centres (CSCs)

Part C: E-Governance Transformation – Sector-wise

Part D: DPI & e-Governance Reforms at the State Level

States are important because e-Governance is a State-subject heavy domain (land, police, local governance, health, welfare).

Examples of Progressive States:

• Karnataka: Bhoomi (land records), Khajane-II (treasury)
• Andhra Pradesh: MeeSeva services delivery
• Telangana: T-Wallet, T-App Folio, Dharani land registry
• Kerala: e-Health Kerala project, e-District rollout
• Maharashtra: MahaOnline services
• Tamil Nadu: e-Sevai centers, Digital land portals

Part E: Bihar-specific DPI & e-Governance Initiatives

Bihar has significantly expanded digital services, especially post-2015.

1. Governance & Service Delivery

• RTPS (Right to Public Services) Act digitalisation
  → Delivery of certificates like:
  ✔ Caste Certificate
  ✔ Income Certificate
  ✔ Residence Certificate
• Bihar Right to Public Grievance Redressal Act Portal
• e-District Mission Mode Project (MMP)
• DAK Tracking & e-Office in secretariat

2. Land and Revenue Sector

• Bihar Bhoomi / Bihar Bhumi Portal
  → Online:
  ✔ Land records (Khatian)
  ✔ Mutation
  ✔ ROR (Record of Rights)
• Bihar Bhumi GIS mapping
• Bihar SHAjog System (revenue court digitisation)

3. Social Welfare & DBT Systems

• Aadhaar-linked DBT used for:
  ✔ Scholarship schemes
  ✔ Old age pension
  ✔ Janani/Jeevika schemes
• JEEViKA (BRLPS) uses digital SHG models for rural banking & credit

4. Digital Inclusion & Connectivity

• BharatNet Phase-II in Bihar
• Digital Panchayat initiatives for training local governance personnel
• CSC (Common Service Centres) network in rural areas

5. Health Sector e-Governance

• e-Sanjeevani telemedicine
• Health Management Information System (HMIS)
• Digital tracking under Poshan & RCH

6. Education and Skill

• DBT for student scholarships
• Student Credit Card Scheme via online portal
• Digital literacy via Kushal Yuva Program (KYP) through Bihar Skill Development Mission

7. Urban & Police Governance

• Safe City projects
• CCTNS for police & crime records
• Integrated Command & Control Centres under Smart Cities (Patna, Bhagalpur, Gaya)

Impact of DPI & e-Governance in Bihar

Positive outcomes include:
✔ Reduced bureaucratic delays
✔ Reduced corruption & middlemen
✔ Improved service access in rural areas
✔ Increased financial inclusion via SHGs & DBT
✔ Improved land transparency

Challenges (India & Bihar context)

• Digital divide & low literacy in rural areas
• Internet connectivity in remote blocks
• Data privacy & cybersecurity concerns
• Interoperability between departments
• Capacity constraints in local bodies

Way Forward

• Expand BharatNet & 4G/5G rural coverage
• Local language digital services (Hindi & regional)
• Strengthen data protection and privacy laws
• Digital skilling for frontline governance staff
• Promote DPI for agriculture, logistics & MSMEs