Content:

1. Digital Infrastructure Landscape
2. Fourth Edition of India Internet Governance Forum

Digital Infrastructure Landscape

Context: Rapidly evolving digital infrastructure driving economic growth, effective governance and Inclusive development

Relevance: GS 2( Governance)

• Data Centres: India’s data centre industry is set for significant growth, supporting cloud computing, data storage, and AI/ML applications.

• The National Informatics Centre (NIC) operates state-of-the-art National Data Centres (NDCs) across Delhi, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad.

• The NDCs provide cloud services, disaster recovery, and hosting services with a combined storage capacity of approximately 100PB.

• National Data Centre – North East Region (NDC-NER): Launched in 2020 to bridge the digital divide in the Northeastern states by providing reliable cloud service infrastructure.

Cloud Services and Digital Public Infrastructure:

• NIC National Cloud Services Project (2022): Enhancing the national cloud infrastructure to facilitate faster e-Governance services. Over 300 government departments are now utilizing these services.

• MeghRaj (GI Cloud): Provides ICT services via cloud to all government departments, enhancing digital governance and public services nationwide.

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI):

• Aadhaar: The world’s largest digital identity program with 138.34 crore Aadhaar numbers issued.

• Unified Payment Interface (UPI): Facilitated 24,100 crore transactions as of June 30, 2024.

• DigiLocker: 37.046 crore users and 776 crore documents issued.

• DIKSHA: World’s largest education platform with 556.37 crore learningsessions and 14.37 crore course completions.

• Platforms like GeM, UMANG, and API SETU further enhance digital governance by providing access to various services and enabling seamless data exchange.

Common Services Centres (CSCs):

• Over 5.84 lakh CSCs are operational, including 4.63 lakh at the Gram Panchayat level, delivering more than 800 services across rural India.

Citizen-Centric Digital Services:

• UMANG: A unified mobile app with over 7.12 crore users, offering 2,077 services in 23 languages.

• MeriPehchaan: Provides single sign-on service, handling over 132 crore transactions.

• e-Hastakshar (e-Sign): 81.97 crore digital signatures issued.

• API Setu: 6,000 APIs published, enabling 312.01 crore transactions.

Revolutionizing Government Operations:

• DigiLocker, CollabFiles, GovDrive, and Gov Intranet Platform enhance document management, secure storage, and efficient workflow in government offices.

Fourth Edition of India Internet Governance Forum

Context : The India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2024, organized by MeitY and NIXI, will address key digital issues like bridging the digital divide, responsible AI, and cybersecurity on December 9-10, 2024, in New Delhi.

Relevance: GS 2( Governance)

Focus Areas:

• Bridging the Digital Divide: Enhancing access, inclusion, and digital rights to make the internet accessible to all.

• Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Creating balanced policies that support growth and strengthen Internet governance.

• Responsible AI: Exploring the ethical and effective use of AI for societal benefit.

• Building a Greener and Sustainable Internet: Emphasizing energy-efficient practices and environmental sustainability in the digital realm.

• Trust and Safety: Enhancing cybersecurity and user confidence online.

IIGF’s Role:

• Part of the UN IGF: Promotes multi-stakeholder dialogue on critical issues related to the Internet, involving government, civil society, industry, technical communities, and academia.

• Focus on Collaboration: Encourages an inclusive approach to shaping policies for an open, secure, and accessible Internet.