Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Governance – e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential
Context
The article attempts to explain features of ‘Good’ digital public infrastructure
Source
The Indian Express | Editorial dated 9th September 2024
What we mean by good digital public infrastructure
India’s achievement of over 80% financial inclusion in just six years has positioned it as a global leader, particularly for the Global South . At the 2023 G20 Summit , India emphasized the importance of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and released a global strategy for its development. This initiative aims to promote digital sovereignty, financial inclusion, and self-reliance worldwide, with Citizen Stack playing a pivotal role in authenticating and certifying DPI solutions.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
- DPI includes platforms such as digital identification, payment infrastructure, and data exchange systems that help governments provide essential services to citizens, promoting digital inclusion and enhancing lives.
- Three Key Functions of DPIs:
- Flow of People: Facilitated by a digital identity system.
- Flow of Money: Enabled by a real-time fast payment system.
- Flow of Information: Managed through a consent-based data-sharing system, empowering individuals with control over their data.
- Importance of the Three DPI Layers:
- Each DPI layer addresses specific societal needs and creates significant value across various sectors by streamlining processes and enhancing service delivery.
India’s Leadership in DPI Development
- India became the first country to implement all three foundational DPI elements:
- Digital Identity (Aadhar) for identity verification.
- Real-time Payments (UPI) for seamless money transfers.
- Data Sharing (Account Aggregator) based on the Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA).
- Achieved over 80% financial inclusion in six years, providing a scalable model for over a billion people.
- A key highlight of the 2023 G20 summit was India’s emphasis on digital public infrastructure (DPI) as a global strategy for development.
- Global DPI Strategy:
- India’s G20 task force released a report outlining a strategy for worldwide DPI development.
- The focus is on enabling countries to achieve digital sovereignty, financial inclusion, and self-reliance.
The key questions are: What makes a DPI reliable? What distinguishes a “good DPI” from a “bad DPI”?
Guiding Principles of a Good DPI (Five Sutras)
- Citizen-State-Market Relationship:
- The relationship between the citizen, the state, and the market should remain balanced in a DPI system.
- A good DPI ensures that citizens are not unduly influenced or manipulated by the market forces or the state.
- DPIs should be neutral platforms that don’t distort how citizens interact with businesses or the government.
- For instance, the DPI must enable fair access to services like banking, healthcare, or social benefits without giving undue advantage to certain businesses or government entities.
- Citizen Empowerment & Privacy:
- A good DPI prioritizes citizen empowerment by ensuring that people have control over their data.
- This involves a consent-based system where citizens can decide who has access to their personal data and for what purposes.
- Data privacy and protection are crucial in the digital age. By empowering citizens to control their data, DPIs prevent misuse and build trust.
- Avoid Monopolies:
- DPIs should promote interoperability, which allows different systems and platforms to work together seamlessly.
- This prevents monopolies—where one company or a small group controls the entire infrastructure.
- Interoperability ensures that citizens are not locked into using a particular service or platform, giving them the freedom to switch providers or platforms without losing access to essential services.
- Techno-Legal Regulation:
- This principle highlights the need for a combination of technology and law to ensure that digital platforms are used ethically and responsibly.
- By establishing clear techno-legal frameworks, governments can regulate how technologies are developed and used in a way that aligns with innovation, security, and societal rights.
- Public-Private Innovation:
- DPIs should foster innovation through a healthy collaboration between the public and private sectors.
- However, this collaboration must avoid corporate dominance or exploitation by the state.
Citizen Stack’s Role
- Citizen Stack is built on the success of India Stack, a proven digital infrastructure platform serving over a billion citizens.
- Unlike manufacturers, Citizen Stack acts as a regulatory body or auditor, certifying DPIs for quality and security.
- Holistic Approach to DPI Certification:
- Citizen Stack emphasizes security, scalability, and inclusivity in DPI certification.
- It ensures DPIs are reliable, secure, and designed to protect user data and privacy.
- Citizen Stack’s Commitment to Integrity:
- By adhering to these non-negotiable principles, Citizen Stack ensures that DPIs are developed for the public good.
- It offers a gold standard for evaluating the authenticity and efficacy of DPI solutions globally.
Conclusion
These guiding principles ensure that Digital Public Infrastructures (DPIs) like those certified by Citizen Stack remain citizen-centric, secure, and inclusive. By adhering to these principles, countries can build reliable DPIs that empower citizens, maintain fair market dynamics, and ensure technological and legal safeguards are in place to protect the public good.
Related PYQ
e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features? [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2023]
Practice Question
Discuss the significance of Citizen Stack in promoting secure and inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and outline the key principles that define a ‘good DPI’? [150 words]
Guidelines to Answer
- Introduction:
- Begin by introducing India’s achievement in financial inclusion and its role in promoting Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) globally.
- Mention the G20 Summit 2023 and India’s leadership in digital governance.
- Body:
- Explain Citizen Stack as a regulatory body that certifies authentic and secure DPI solutions.
- Highlight its role in ensuring quality, security, and inclusivity in DPIs, building on the success of India Stack.
- Mention five key principles of a Good DPI
- Conclusion:
- Summarize by emphasizing Citizen Stack’s commitment to ensuring that DPIs are designed for the public good, with security, scalability, and inclusivity as core features. This is crucial for digital sovereignty and self-reliance globally.