Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – E-Governance (applications, models, successes, limitations, potential)
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– E-governance models
– Minimum government maximum governance
– Digital divide
Context
With the increasing reliance on digital solutions for various aspects of daily life, DigiLocker represents a significant step towards a paperless governance.
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 13th May 2024
What is DigiLocker and does it keep your data and documents safe?
In an era marked by digitalization, the Indian government’s initiative, DigiLocker, has emerged as a pivotal platform for storing and accessing digital documents. Launched in 2015, DigiLocker aims to provide users with a convenient and secure way to manage their essential documents online. This article explores the significance of DigiLocker, its adoption by users, security measures, potential issues, and its role in administrative processes like passport application.
What is DigiLocker?
DigiLocker is a digital platform launched in 2015 by the Indian government to store users’ digital records.
- Functionality: It serves as an app where users can access, verify, and store essential documents such as Aadhaar, insurance policies, PAN records, driving licenses, and educational certificates.
- Government Initiative: DigiLocker is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) under the Digital India programme.
- Usage: Widely used by individuals for various purposes including:
- Applying for passports
- Reviewing mark sheets, and
- Proving identity during travel.
- User Base: As of early May, DigiLocker has over 270 million registered users, with nearly 6.7 billion documents retrieved through the platform.
Significance of DigiLocker
- E-governance: DigiLocker is part of the government’s paper-free initiative aimed at providing citizens with easy access to their documents digitally.
- Convenience: Provides users with easy access to their documents online, eliminating the need to carry physical copies.
- Identity Verification: Helps in proving identity and credentials at any given moment, reducing reliance on physical documents.
- Validity: Digital documents stored in DigiLocker are considered at par with original physical documents as per government rules.
- Faster Service: Using DigiLocker can expedite service delivery by providing instant access to required documents.
How secure is DigiLocker?
- Security Measures: Employs 2048 Bit RSA SSL encryption, multi-factor authentication (OTP verification), consent systems, timed logouts, and security audits.
- 2048-Bit RSA Key: This refers to the size of a public-key cryptography system using the RSA algorithm. The key size determines the mathematical complexity of the encryption and decryption processes.
- A 2048-bit key offers a high level of security, making it computationally infeasible to crack through brute force methods of cyber-attack.
- Vulnerabilities: Despite security measures, any government database storing citizens’ information is vulnerable to hacking attempts.
- Incidents: In June 2020, DigiLocker addressed a potential vulnerability in the sign-up flow, promptly patching the issue to safeguard user data.
- Data Protection: DigiLocker assures users that their data is encrypted in transit and not shared with third parties, with examples of collected data including files, names, emails, and user IDs.
Issues with DigiLocker
- Accessibility Challenges due to digital divide: Users unfamiliar with smartphones or facing difficulties with apps may struggle to navigate DigiLocker without assistance.
- Data Matching: Users with multiple names or inconsistent details may face challenges in fetching documents if details don’t match issuer data precisely.
- Usage Variability: Lack of uniformity in how different government authorities review documents, with some requiring virtual documents through DigiLocker while others mandate original hard copies.
- Eg. Passport Processing: While DigiLocker is not mandatory for passport processing, some authorities may encourage its use to expedite the application process, leading to variations in implementation across different regions.
Conclusion
DigiLocker signifies a significant leap towards digitizing document management and streamlining administrative processes in India. While its adoption offers numerous benefits in terms of convenience and accessibility, there are challenges to address, such as ensuring uniform acceptance and enhancing user education. As technology continues to evolve, DigiLocker stands as a testament to India’s commitment to embracing digital solutions for the welfare of its citizens.
Related Topics
CERT-In
CERT-In is the nodal agency for responding to computer security incidents as and when they occur. The constituency of CERT-In is the Indian Cyber Community.
- CERT-In was established in 2004 as a functional organization of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- Functions: The Information Technology (Amendment) Act 2008 designated CERT-In to serve as the national agency to perform the following functions in the area of cyber security:
- Collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents.
- Forecast and alerts of cyber security incidents
- Emergency measures for handling cyber security incidents
- Coordination of cyber incident response activities.
- Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and whitepapers relating to information
- security practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents.
- Such other functions relating to cyber security as may be prescribed.
References
Related PYQ
Implementation of information and Communication Technology (ICT) based Projects / Programmes usually suffers in terms of certain vital factors. Identify these factors, and suggest measures for their effective implementation? [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2019]
Practice Question
Discuss the significance of DigiLocker in transforming document management in India. [150 words]