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Digital India Programme

Last updated on December 31, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

Digital India is a flagship programme of the Government of India launched in 2015. Read here to know the program in detail.

Digital India is a flagship programme of the Government of India with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

It was launched in July 2015.

E-governance initiatives in India gained momentum in the mid-1990s for wider sectoral applications with an emphasis on citizen-centric services.

The major Information and Communication Technology (ICT) initiatives included major projects like railway computerization, land record computerization, etc., which focused mainly on the development of information systems. Later on, many states started individual e-governance projects aimed at providing electronic services to citizens.

These initiatives did not make the expected impact due to isolated and less interactive features. Hence, more comprehensive planning and implementation were required to establish a connected government.

Digital India is an umbrella programme that covers multiple Government Ministries and Departments. It weaves together a large number of ideas and thoughts into a single, comprehensive vision so that each of them can be implemented as part of a larger goal.

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e-Kranti: National e-Governance Plan 2.0

The national-level e-governance programme called National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) was initiated in 2006.

• There were 31 Mission Mode Projects under the National e-Governance Plan covering a wide range of domains viz. agriculture , land records , health, education, passports, police, courts, municipalities, commercial taxes, treasuries, etc.
• 24 Mission Mode Projects have been implemented and started delivering either a full or partial range of envisaged services.

All new and ongoing e-governance projects as well as the existing projects, which are being revamped, should now follow the key principles of e-Kranti namely:

• Transformation and not Translation
• Integrated Services and not Individual Services
• Government Process Reengineering (GPR) to be mandatory in every MMP
• ICT Infrastructure on Demand
• Cloud by Default
• Mobile First
• Fast Tracking Approvals
• Mandating Standards and Protocols
• Language Localization
• National GIS (Geo-Spatial Information System)
• Security and Electronic Data Preservation

The portfolio of Mission Mode Projects has increased from 31 to 44 MMPs. Many new social sector projects namely Women and Child Development, Social Benefits, Financial Inclusion, Urban Governance eBhasha, etc., have been added as new MMPs under e-Kranti.

Vision Areas of Digital India

The vision of the Digital India programme is to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

The Digital India programme is centered on three key vision areas:

1. Digital infrastructure as a core utility to every citizen

• High-speed internet as a core utility
• Cradle-to-grave digital identity
• Participation in digital and financial space through mobiles and banking
• Easy access to a Common Service Centre (CSC)
• Shareable private space on a public cloud

2. Governance and services on demand

• Seamlessly integrated services across departments
• Services available in real-time from online and mobile platforms
• All citizen entitlements to be portable and available on the cloud
• Digital transformation for ease of doing business
• Electronic and cashless financial transactions
• Leveraging Geospatial Information System (GIS) for decision support systems and development

3. Digital empowerment of citizens

• Universal digital library
• Universally accessible digital resources
• All documents/certificates to be available on the cloud
• Availability of digital resources/services in Indian languages
• Collaborative digital platforms for participative governance

Digital India: Programme pillars

Digital India aims to provide the much-needed thrust to the nine pillars of growth areas, namely:

• Broadband Highways
• Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity
• Public Internet Access Programme
• e-Governance: Reforming Government through Technology
• e-Kranti – Electronic Delivery of Services
• Information for All
• Electronics Manufacturing
• IT for Jobs
• Early Harvest Programmes

Digital India Initiatives

The Government has taken up many initiatives under the Digital India campaign:

DigiLockers: This flagship initiative aims at ‘Digital Empowerment’ of the citizen by providing access to authentic digital documents in citizen’s digital document wallet

E-Hospitals: It is a Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) which is a one-stop solution for connecting patients, hospitals, and doctors through a single digital platform. Till February 2021, as many as 420 e-Hospitals had been established under the Digital India campaign

E-Pathshala: Developed by NCERT, e-Pathshala showcases and disseminates all educational e-resources including textbooks, audio, video, periodicals, and a variety of other print and non-print materials through the website and mobile app

BHIM: Bharat Interface for Money is an app that makes payment transactions simple, easy, and quick using Unified Payments Interface (UPI)

Digital India Bhashini: It is India’s Artificial Intelligence (AI)  led language translation platform.

Digital India GENESIS: (Gen-next Support for Innovative Startups) is a national deep-tech startup platform to discover, support, grow and make successful startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities of India.

My Scheme: It is a service discovery platform facilitating access to Government Schemes. It aims to offer a one-stop search and discovery portal where users can find schemes that they are eligible for.

Meri Pehchaan: It is a National Single Sign On (NSSO) for One Citizen Login. It is a user authentication service in which a single set of credentials provide access to multiple online applications or services.

Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme: The C2S Programme aims to train specialized manpower in the area of design of semiconductor chips at bachelor, master, and Research levels, and act as a catalyst for the growth of Startups involved in semiconductor design in the country.

Indiastack global: It is a global repository of key projects implemented under India Stack like Aadhaar , UPI (Unified Payment Interface), Digilocker, Cowin Vaccination Platform, Government e MarketPlace, DIKSHA Platform, and Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission .

Digital India week 2022

The Digital India Week 2022 under the Digital India Programme, to strengthen the Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.

The theme for the week was ‘Catalyzing New India’s Techade’.

Way forward

The Digital India programme aims at pulling together many existing schemes. These schemes will be restructured, revamped, and re-focused and will be implemented in a synchronized manner. Many elements are only process improvements with minimal cost implications. The common branding of programmes as Digital India highlights their transformative impact.

India’s aim for the digital revolution will help is pushing all sectors and jurisdictions of the economy. The advances in governance, reforms, start-ups , and demographic advantage will push the country towards being the fastest growing digital economy.

Also read:  Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme

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Digital India Mission, 9 Pillars, Vision, Impact, Advantages

Digital India Mission is also referred to as Digital India Programme which was launched in July 2015. Know all about Digital India Initiative, 9 Pillars, Vision, Impact, Advantages in this article.

Table of Contents

Digital India Mission

The Digital India Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 1, 2015, aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The mission seeks to make government services accessible to citizens electronically by improving online infrastructure and enhancing internet connectivity.

What is Digital India Programme?

Digital India Mission is sometimes also referred to as Digital India Programme which was launched in July 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Digital India Programme envisions comprehensive digital infrastructure, increased digital literacy, and widespread digital access across all sectors, from governance and education to health and financial services. The Digital India initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide, promote digital inclusion, and leverage technology to enhance the quality of life for all citizens while promoting economic growth and innovation.

The Digital India Initiative holds the potential to reshape the very fabric of our nation, fostering innovation, connectivity, and empowerment across every stratum of society. In this article, you will get all about Digital India Mission, its pillars, vision, impact, advantages and challenges in detail for your exam preparation.

Digital India for New India

Digital India for New India is a vision to create a new India where all citizens have access to the benefits of digital technology. This includes access to education, healthcare, financial services, and government services. It also includes the ability to participate in the digital economy and to create new opportunities for oneself. Digital India for New India is being driven by many initiatives, including:

• Digital Literacy Mission
• e-Governance
• Startups and Innovation etc.

9 Pillars of Digital India Initiative

The Digital India Initiative is built upon 9 key pillars, each focusing on transforming India into a digitally empowered nation. Here we discussed the 9 Pillars of Digital India Initiative in detail.

• Broadband for All – Rural: Connecting 250,000 village Panchayats by deploying high-speed internet infrastructure.
• Broadband for All – Urban: Utilizing Virtual Network Operators for service delivery and ensuring robust communication infrastructure in new urban developments.
• National Information Infrastructure (NII): Integrating networks like SWAN, NKN, and NOFN along with cloud-enabled data centers to ensure horizontal connectivity across various levels of government offices.
• Extending mobile connectivity to 42,300 uncovered villages, focusing on network penetration and addressing connectivity gaps across the country.
• Common Service Centres (CSCs): Expanding the number of CSCs from 135,000 to 250,000, making them multi-functional endpoints for delivering government and business services.
• Post Offices as Multi-Service Centres: Converting 150,000 Post Offices into multi-service centers to provide various digital services.
• Simplifying government processes through IT to make them more efficient and transparent.
• Promoting online applications, tracking, and interdepartmental interfaces.
• Mandating the use of online repositories for documents to reduce physical submission requirements.
• Integrating services and platforms like UIDAI, Payment Gateway, Mobile Platform, and EDI for seamless service delivery.
• Technology for Education: Connecting schools with broadband, providing free Wi-Fi, and promoting digital literacy.
• Technology for Health: Facilitating online medical consultations, records, and medicine supply.
• Technology for Farmers: Providing real-time price information, online ordering, and mobile banking for farmers.
• Technology for Security: Offering mobile-based emergency services and disaster-related information.
• Technology for Financial Inclusion: Enhancing mobile banking, Micro-ATM programs, and using CSCs/Post Offices for financial services.
• Technology for Justice: Strengthening systems like e-Courts, e-Police, e-Jails, and e-Prosecution.
• Technology for Planning: Implementing National GIS for decision-making in project planning and development.
• Technology for Cyber Security: Establishing a National Cyber Security Coordination Center.
• Promoting open access to government data and documents through online platforms.
• Engaging citizens via social media and web-based platforms for two-way communication.
• Utilizing existing infrastructure for disseminating information with minimal additional resources.
• Aiming for net zero imports by promoting electronics manufacturing through taxation incentives, economies of scale, and skill development.
• Focus areas include FABS, fab-less design, set-top boxes, VSATs, mobiles, consumer & medical electronics, smart energy meters, and smart cards.
• Strengthening existing structures and creating new programs to achieve manufacturing goals.
• Training 1 crore students from smaller towns and villages for IT sector jobs over 5 years.
• Setting up BPOs in northeastern states for ICT-enabled growth.
• Training 3 lakh service delivery agents for running IT service businesses.
• Training 5 lakh rural workforce by Telecom Service Providers to meet their own needs.
• Mass Messaging Application: Covering elected representatives and government employees.
• Government e-Greetings: Providing templates for electronic greetings.
• Biometric Attendance: Covering all Central Government offices in Delhi.
• Wi-Fi in Universities: Covering all universities on the National Knowledge Network.
• Secure Email: Upgrading secure email infrastructure for government employees.
• Public Wi-Fi Hotspots: Establishing hotspots in cities with populations over 1 million and tourist centers.
• eBooks for Schools: Converting all school books to eBooks.
• SMS-based Weather Information and Disaster Alerts: Providing real-time information via SMS.
• National Portal for Lost & Found Children: Facilitating real-time information sharing to improve response times for lost and found children.

Vision of Digital India Mission

The Digital India Mission envisions a comprehensive transformation of India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. This ambitious program, launched by the Indian government, seeks to leverage the power of technology to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities, enhance government services, and drive economic growth.

Digital Infrastructure

One of the primary visions of the Digital India initiative is to establish a robust and inclusive digital infrastructure. This includes the expansion of high-speed internet connectivity to every corner of the country, ensuring that even remote areas have access to the digital world. By bridging the digital divide, the initiative aims to promote equitable access to information, education, and opportunities, levelling the playing field for all citizens.

Governance and Services

Governance and Services on Demand is another pivotal vision of Digital India. By digitizing government processes and services, the initiative intends to streamline administrative procedures, reduce paperwork, and promote transparency. Citizens will have the convenience of accessing various government services online, eliminating the need for lengthy bureaucratic procedures. This transformation not only enhances the citizen experience but also contributes to efficient and accountable governance.

Digital Empowerment

Digital empowerment of citizens is a cornerstone vision of the initiative. Through digital literacy programs and skill development initiatives, citizens are empowered to effectively use digital tools and technologies. This empowerment goes beyond mere access to technology; it enables individuals to participate in the digital economy, access educational resources, and engage in various socio-economic activities. This vision aligns with India’s aspirations to create a digitally savvy population that can harness the opportunities offered by the digital age.

Digital Literacy

Universal digital literacy is closely linked to the initiative’s vision. By providing digital literacy training to every citizen, regardless of age or background, Digital India aims to equip individuals with the skills needed to navigate the digital world confidently. This becomes particularly significant in a country as diverse as India, where digital literacy can bridge gaps and foster social inclusion.

Digital Financial Inclusion

Digital financial inclusion is another critical vision of Digital India. By promoting digital payment systems and enhancing access to financial services, the initiative seeks to bring the unbanked and underbanked population into the formal financial sector. This not only empowers individuals economically but also contributes to the growth of a cashless economy and reduces the dependence on physical currency.

Innovation and Startups

Furthermore, Digital India envisions nurturing innovation and startups in the digital domain. By fostering a conducive environment for startups, the initiative aims to tap into the potential of young entrepreneurs, driving technological advancements and job creation. The focus on electronics manufacturing supports this vision, promoting local production and reducing import dependence.

In the pursuit of these visions, Digital India places a strong emphasis on cybersecurity. As digital systems become more prevalent, protecting sensitive data and digital infrastructure becomes paramount. The initiative aims to bolster the cybersecurity ecosystem, ensuring a secure digital environment for both citizens and businesses.

Digital India Initiative 

Under the Digital India Initiative, the Indian government has undertaken a range of initiatives and projects to digitally transform the nation and improve governance, services, and connectivity. Some of the key initiatives under Digital India programme  include:

Impact of Digital India Mission

The Digital India Mission has had a profound impact on various sectors of the Indian economy and society. Here are some of the notable impacts of the Digital India Mission:

• Access to Services: Digital India has significantly improved access to government services, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and making services more transparent and efficient. Citizens can now access a wide range of services online, such as applying for passports, licenses, and certificates.
• Financial Inclusion : Initiatives like the BHIM UPI have revolutionized digital payments, enabling even those without bank accounts to engage in seamless financial transactions. This has promoted financial inclusion and reduced the dependency on cash.
• E-Governance : Digital India has transformed governance through the implementation of e-governance systems. Online platforms have streamlined processes, reduced corruption, and improved service delivery, ensuring better accountability and transparency.
• Education and Skill Development : Digital platforms like SWAYAM and e-learning initiatives have expanded access to quality education and skill development opportunities. It has enabled remote learning, making education more inclusive and accessible to all.
• Healthcare Services : The e-Hospital initiative has improved healthcare services by digitizing patient records, appointment systems, and medical history. Telemedicine and digital health platforms have connected patients to healthcare professionals, especially in remote areas.
• Agriculture and Rural Development : Digital platforms such as e-NAM have empowered farmers by providing them with an online marketplace to sell their produce directly to buyers. Additionally, BharatNet has extended high-speed internet connectivity to rural areas, enabling digital services and information access.
• Startups and Innovation : Startup India has nurtured a vibrant startup ecosystem by offering incentives, funding, and mentorship. This has fostered innovation, technological advancement, and job creation in emerging sectors.
• Economic Growth : Digital transformation has contributed to economic growth by enhancing efficiency and productivity across sectors. It has also attracted foreign investment, bolstering India’s reputation as a tech-savvy nation.
• Infrastructure Development : Initiatives like BharatNet have strengthened digital infrastructure across the country, connecting even the remotest regions to the digital world. This has paved the way for further technological advancements.
• Empowerment of Citizens : Digital India has empowered citizens by providing them with access to information, enabling participation in governance through platforms like MyGov, and facilitating direct communication with authorities through social media.
• Environmental Impact : Digitization has led to reduced paper usage, contributing to environmental conservation. Online services have minimized the need for physical documents and paperwork, thus promoting sustainability.
• Global Recognition : The Digital India initiative has garnered international attention and recognition, positioning India as a frontrunner in digital transformation and technological innovation.

Read about: Atal Pension Yojana

Advantages of Digital India Initiative

The Digital India Initiative has brought forth a multitude of advantages that have positively impacted various aspects of Indian society and economy. Some key advantages of Digital India Mission include:

Empowering Rural Communities

One of the significant advantages of the Digital India initiative is its impact on rural communities. With the availability of digital tools and internet connectivity in remote areas, farmers can access real-time information about weather conditions, market prices, and agricultural techniques. For instance, the Kisan Suvidha app provides farmers with valuable insights, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding crop planning and pricing. This digital empowerment enhances agricultural productivity and improves the livelihoods of rural populations.

Financial Inclusion

Digital India has played a pivotal role in advancing financial inclusion across the country. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) aimed to provide banking services to the unbanked population. This initiative has successfully brought millions of people into the formal banking system . For instance, Jan Dhan accounts offer access to debit cards, insurance, and overdraft facilities. This inclusion in the formal financial sector not only facilitates secure transactions but also fosters economic growth and poverty reduction.

E-Governance and Transparency

The digital transformation of government services through e-governance platforms has minimized corruption and enhanced transparency. Initiatives like the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme ensure that subsidies and benefits reach the intended beneficiaries directly, eliminating intermediaries. This has significantly reduced leakage and improved the effectiveness of social welfare programs. For instance, the PDS system digitization in states like Chhattisgarh has reduced corruption and improved the distribution of essential commodities to the needy.

Educational Revolution

Digital India has revolutionized education by democratizing access to quality learning resources. The SWAYAM platform offers free online courses from top institutions, enabling individuals to pursue higher education and upskilling irrespective of their geographical location. Additionally, initiatives like Diksha provide digital content for teachers and students, making education interactive and engaging. This educational revolution has the potential to bridge the urban-rural education gap and create a skilled workforce for the future.

Healthcare Accessibility

The National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) is transforming healthcare accessibility by creating digital health records for citizens. This initiative enables seamless sharing of medical information across healthcare providers, ensuring accurate diagnosis and treatment. Telemedicine platforms like eSanjeevani have facilitated remote consultations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. These digital healthcare solutions bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare services, ensuring quality medical assistance to all.

Efficiency in Governance

The adoption of digital platforms has streamlined government processes and improved the efficiency of public services. Initiatives like Digital Locker provide citizens with a secure digital space to store essential documents. This eliminates the need for physical copies and reduces bureaucratic delays. Similarly, the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has simplified tax administration, benefiting both businesses and the government through enhanced revenue collection.

Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Digital India has fostered a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation. Startups in sectors like fintech, e-commerce, and edtech have flourished, creating job opportunities and contributing to economic growth. For example, the success of platforms like Paytm, Flipkart etc. demonstrates how digital entrepreneurship can disrupt traditional business models and create novel solutions to societal challenges.

Digital India Mission UPSC  

The Digital India Mission holds significant relevance for the UPSC examination due to its comprehensive coverage of the UPSC Syllabus , particularly in Governance, Technology, and Economy. Aspirants preparing for UPSC can benefit from an in-depth understanding of the initiative’s pillars, impact, and advantages, which align with multiple aspects of the syllabus.

Additionally, knowledge of Digital India’s various initiatives, government policies, and its transformative role in sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship can provide a competitive edge in both the prelims and main exams. Aspirants can have firm command over such topics by covering them through UPSC Online Coaching platforms and testing their knowledge by attempting the UPSC Mock Test .

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Digital India Mission FAQs

What is digital india.

Digital India is a government initiative to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

What is the main aim of Digital India?

The main aim of Digital India is to ensure digital inclusion, provide digital infrastructure, and make public services accessible through technology.

What is Digital India and its benefits?

Digital India aims to enhance citizen services, improve efficiency, promote digital literacy, and drive economic growth through technology adoption.

What are the nine pillars of Digital India?

The nine pillars of Digital India include Broadband Highways, Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity, Public Internet Access, e-Governance, eKranti, Information for All, Electronics Manufacturing, IT for Jobs, and Early Harvest Program.

Who is the founder of Digital India?

The founder of Digital India is the Government of India, with leadership and support from various ministries and departments.

What are the types of Digital India?

Types of Digital India initiatives encompass projects for digital infrastructure, e-governance, digital literacy, digital economy, and technology innovation.

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Digital India Initiative (DII) completes 9 years

Posted 02 Jul 2024

Launched in 2015, Digital India Initiative (DII) is a flagship programme to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy . 

• It is an umbrella programme that covers multiple projects of various Central Ministries/Departments and States and Union Territories (UTs).

Key Features of Digital India Initiative

• Digital Infrastructure as a Utility to Every Citizen
• Governance & Services on Demand
• Digital Empowerment of Citizens
• Pillars : Covers 9 pillars of growth areas (refer infographics) . 
• Implementation : Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) is a main coordination agency along with other ministries and monitoring committee (headed by Prime Minister). 
• Initiative launched : Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG), DigiLocker etc.

Digital India Initiative has led to Ease of Living and transparency in country. 

• Digital Public Infrastructure:  Enabling a technology-led model for growth that is collaborative, equitable, and democratises opportunity.
• Over 137 Crore Aadhaar numbers generated. 
• BharatNet :  Under it, 6.83 lakh km of optical fibre network has been laid. 

Key challenges faced by Initiative:  Coordination Issues  (Program covers many departments), Rural- urban digital divide, etc. 

• Digital India Initiative (DII)
• Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY

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Hurdles to Overcome Before Becoming Digital India

• Last Updated on Aug 31, 2023

Context: The digital payments system in India has grown significantly in recent years. From June 2021 to April 2023, UPI payments grew at an average monthly rate of 6%. The corresponding figures for NEFT, IMPS, and debit card payments were 3%, 3%, and 1.5%, respectively. This indicates that the popularity of UPI increased at a faster rate than all other modes of payment.

Gaps in Financial Inclusion

• Number of Inactive-Account: India has the highest share of inactive accounts in the world compared to all the other countries in the database. Of those with bank accounts, 38% have inactive accounts. This might be an outcome of the push for Jan Dhan accounts. Zero-balance accounts were opened to meet official targets, but have been lying dormant since then. 
• While there is no urban-rural divide or income group divide in the possession of bank accounts, differences are evident when we consider the share of inactive accounts. While 31% of the population in rural areas have an inactive account, the share in urban areas is 23%. 
• If we look at the rural-urban gap in digital payments, India again stands out  with only 30% of Indians in rural areas made or received any digital payment in 2021 as opposed to 40% in urban areas. 
• This again indicates that a substantial share of the population has been bypassed. 
• Rich-Poor Divide: Similarly, if we consider the poorest 40% of Indians, 35% of them have inactive bank accounts, whereas the corresponding figure for the richest 60% of the population is 22%.
• % of Population Carrying Digital Transactions: While the popularity of UPI has increased substantially in recent years, only 35% of the population reported carrying out any digital transaction (making or receiving a payment) in 2021. While this was an improvement from previous years (22% in 2014 and 29% in 2017), India’s figures are unimpressive when compared to the average of 57% for all developing countries and the world average of 64%.
• Gender Divide: Although digital transactions have grown in value and volume, their growth has not been equal. There is a sharp gender gap in digital transactions. While 41% of the male population carried out any digital transaction in 2021, the corresponding figure among women was only 28%. Also, more women have inactive accounts as compared to men (32% versus 23%). India’s figures are also lower overall compared to the figures in Brazil and Kenya, which are at comparable levels of development.

Further Initiatives Required to Improve Digital Payments Ecosystem

• Awareness and Education: Many consumers are still wary about using digital payments and technology; hence companies need to educate their customers on the security advantages of digital payments in a more traditional manner.
• Internet Penetration & Mobile Phone Accessibility: Currently, internet and mobile phones accessibility at rural and remote areas is poor, hence government and stakeholders involved need to take initiatives in improving internet penetration.
• Incentives and Rewards: More consumers will switch to digital payments if they receive higher rewards and redeeming rewards with simplicity and faster

Therefore, while India has made big strides, it still has a long way to go in becoming ‘Digital India’.

Mains Practice Question:

“The emergence of the Digital Revolution in the payment ecosystem has initiated financial inclusion in India”. Discuss.

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• Digital India

The First Step Towards transforming into a Digital India!

Digital India is a massive campaign that the Government of India launched in the year 2015. The implementation of this would give easy access to government services in different regions of the country. This Digital India essay in English is for the students of Class 5 and above. This essay on Digital India in English is written in an easy-to-understand manner for a better understanding of the students. Students should read the following long essay on Digital India to be able to write an essay on Digital India in 1000 words on their own.  

In the same way, the below written short essay on Digital India will help the students write an essay on digital India in 500 words on their own. 

Long Essay on Digital India  

The “Digital India” campaign was launched by the government of India to uplift the usage of technology in India. The objective was to make Government services easily available to the citizens electronically by improving its online infrastructure all over the country. The process would be structured to increase internet connectivity to make the country digitally empowered. It helps to reach out to the masses and encourages them to use technology in their daily lives. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi launched the campaign on July 1, 2015. The initiative aims at connecting rural India with the help of high-speed internet connectivity. 

There are three components at the core of the “Digital India” campaign. 

Creation of Digital Infrastructure  

To be able to deploy various digital services across the country, it is necessary to create a strong digital infrastructure, especially in rural areas of the country. The interior regions of the country either have very little or mostly do not have any electronic network. This is the reason behind establishing a digital network across the country. Bharat Broadband Network Limited, the governmental body that is responsible for the execution of the National Optical Fiber Network project is responsible for the Digital India project as well. Bharat Net aims to connect 2,50,500 gram panchayats across the country to a high-speed internet network via an optical fiber network. 4,00,000 internet points will be established all across the country as part of the program, from which anybody will be able to access the internet. 

Delivery of Digital Service  

A major component of the Digital India campaign is to deliver government services and other essential services digitally. It is easier to change the way of delivering services from physical to digital. Many services of the Government of India were digitized under the Digital India Campaign. 

All ministries would be linked under this scheme, and all departments will be able to reach out to the people with fundamental services like health care, banking, education, scholarships, gas cylinders, water and electricity bills, and judicial services. The daily monetary transactions of people were also converted into digital mode. To ensure transparency in the transactions and curb corruption all the money transactions are being made online, and are supported by one-time passwords. 

Digital Literacy  

For full participation of the people of India, the competency that they need to have is called Digital Literacy. The basic behavior, knowledge, and skills required to effectively use digital devices are mandatory. Desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones are the digital devices used for the purpose of communicating, expressing, collaborating, and advocating. The mission of Digital Literacy will be covering over six crore rural households. 

With the Digital India Programme, the Government of India is hoping to achieve all-around growth on multiple fronts collectively. The objective of the Government is to target the nine ‘Pillars of Digital India’ that are identified as follows. 

Broadband Highways 

Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity 

Public Interest Access Programme 

E-Governance 

E-Kranti 

Global Information 

Electronics Manufacturing 

Training in Information Technology for Jobs 

Early Harvest Programmes

To directly benefit the citizens of all future government schemes. 

The awareness of the importance of technology has been successfully created among the masses of India by the Digital India campaign. There has been a vast growth in the usage of the internet and technology in the past few years. The Panchkula district in Haryana was awarded the best and top performing district under the Digital India campaign on the 28 th of December 2015. 

So far, services such as digital lockers, my government website, e-education, scholarships, pensions, ration cards, PAN cards, Aadhar cards, e-insurance, and e-health have been made accessible under this plan. The goal has been established for the Digital India project to be completely implemented by 2019. 

Technology giants from all over the world paid attention to the Digital India campaign and are readily and happily supporting the initiative. Even Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, had changed his profile picture to support Digital India. He started a trend on Facebook and promised to get the WiFi Hotspots in rural India working. Google started on its commitment to providing broadband connectivity at 500 railway stations in India. Microsoft agreed on providing broadband connectivity to 5,00,000 villages in the country. Microsoft is also making India its cloud hub via the Indian data centers. Oracle planned on investing in 20 states to work on Smart City initiatives and payments. 

Some of the digital frameworks that are established under this scheme are given here: 

Accessible India Campaign and Mobile App  - It is also known as Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan. Its principal goal is to make all services open to individuals with disabilities. 

Mygov.in  - This forum allows users to voice their thoughts on the government's administration strategy. It has been implemented so that locals may actively participate. 

Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG)  - This mobile platform can be used on any device. This software is available in a variety of Indian languages. This software allows users to access a variety of services. Education portals, a digital locker, Aadhar, tax, and train ticket purchasing are among the services available. 

Agri market App  - It was created to make agricultural prices known to farmers and discourage them from selling too soon. 

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao - Ensuring the welfare and nurturing of a girl child and also making sure that every girl child attends school. 

Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) - It makes payments quickly, easily, and simply through the Unified Payment Interface (UPI). It also allows the bank to accept instant payments and money collections using mobile phone numbers. 

Crop Insurance Mobile App - Used to calculate crop insurance premiums depending on numerous characteristics such as area or loan amount, if a loan is taken out. 

E-Hospital - It's an HMIS (Hospital Management Information System) for hospitals' internal workflows and operations. 

E-Pathshala - The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) created it to make all educational resources, such as books and videos, available online. 

EPFO Web Portal and Mobile App - Allow workers to check the amount of their provident fund using an e-passbook, which is a virtual equivalent of a real passbook. 

Start-up India Portal and Mobile App - It is a government of India program to encourage entrepreneurs to develop businesses (start-ups) in the country to expand sustainably. 

Benefits of Digital India

It makes health care and literacy more accessible since one may use a hospital service to receive online registration, a doctor's appointment, payment of the charge, a diagnostic test, and a blood test, among other things. 

It allows consumers to submit their paperwork and certifications online from anywhere, reducing the amount of physical work required. 

Citizens can digitally sign their records online to sign the framework. 

It benefits the beneficiaries of the National Scholarship Portal by allowing them to submit applications, have them verified, and then be paid or disbursed. 

BSNL's next-generation network will replace 30-year-old telephone exchanges for improved administration of online services on mobile devices like voice, data, multimedia, etc. 

Flexible electronics will be promoted with the support of the National Center for Flexible Electronics. 

As all transactions are completed through the digital method, it also aids in the reduction of black marketing. 

Write a Short Essay on Digital India  

A very ambitious initiative called Digital India got launched on a Wednesday, the 1 st of July in the year 2015 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi. Various top industrialists like Cyrus Mistry- the then Tata Group Chairman, Mukesh Ambani– Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance India Limited, Azim Premji– Chairman of Wipro were all present at the launch. They all shared how they plan on bringing a digital revolution to the masses of India in cities and villages. 

The execution of this program is expected to cost around one lakh crore rupees. However, Mr. Ambani, Chairman, and CEO of the Reliance Group have made a significant effort by spending 2.5 lakh crore on the digital India initiative. Many different events were held along with the IT companies to aid more than 600 districts in India. The digital India program was a big step taken by the Government of India to transform India into a digitally empowered country. 

Several schemes have been launched around this plan which are worth more than one lakh crores. They are e-health, e-sign, e-education, national scholarship portal, Digital Locker, etc. The program is such which would benefit both the consumers and the providers of the services. Free WiFi will be available in 2.4 lakh schools and institutions under this scheme so that students may work online without difficulty. A goal has been established for 1.7 lakh persons to be employed as part of this initiative. 

Summary  

A digitally connected India is aimed at the growth of the social and economic status of the masses in the country. The development of non-agricultural economic activities could pave the path for such an achievement, for providing access to financial services, health, and education. Information and Communication Technology alone cannot directly impact the overall development of a country. Basic digital infrastructure could help achieve overall development. 

Literacy and regulatory business environments also could help achieve the same. It will be a very profitable approach because it relieves the burden of spending time on paperwork and allows people to dedicate their time to other aspects of government. It is extremely efficient and beneficial for government employees who operate on a big scale.

FAQs on Digital India

Q1. What is Digital India?

It is an initiative taken by the Government of India to provide government services to citizens electronically, create digitally literate citizens, and eventually transform India into a digitally empowered economy.

Q2. Mention the Benefits of using a Digi Locker.

A Digi Locker eliminates the usage of physical documents and enables the sharing of verified documents electronically in a secure manner across government organizations.

Q3. Which Indians have played a big role in the global digital transformation?

Much like Narendra Modi, who officially launched the Digital India project in India, leaders like Nandan Nilekani, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Ruchi Sanghvi, Ben Gomes, and Rikin Gandhi have put India on the map of digital leaders and have played a big part in the global digital transformation.

Q4. In what areas is India expected to develop even more digitally in the future?

Fields like education, telecommunication, business operations, healthcare, and hospitality are areas where India is slowly but steadily transforming into a digital model.

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Digitalisation Drive – Essay for IAS Exam Preparation

October 22, 2019 by Sandeep

500+ Words Essay on Digitalisation Drive

India has now transformed into a digitally enabled country and e-governance activities can be seen at every step of business and services. Major initiatives were taken by the government to transform the country into a digitally powered electronic hub.

Digital India Land Record Modernisation Program (DILRMP)

It is a very useful initiative undertaken by the government of India. It was launched way back in 2008. This is basically a database system for storing land records in the digital format. It was initiated with the purpose of seeing higher efficiency and reducing land disputes.

All data pertaining to immovable properties were computerised under one umbrella under this program. Such a high level land record database management system was conceptualised to facilitate easy land registration and streamline other documentation process.

Land disputes are a major part of land dealings and an efficient network of a high level database was much needed. GIS information with complete map depiction and necessary survey details are recorded for every land that is registered under this online system.

By streamlining the land records system, all kinds of old immovable properties, newly registered lands, lands under disputes and others were brought under a single net of operation and scrutiny. It was a citizen friendly process and this digitalisation drive proved economically successful to the government.

Are you preparing for the Civil Service Exam? Check out the UPSC 2020 linked article.

EShakti or Digitisation of SHGS

It is a digitalisation drive undertaken by NABARD . SHGS or self help groups like voluntary organisations and NGDs need financial affiliations too. To include these SHGs under the financial ambit and digitisation the accounts they hold, an exclusive portal by name ‘ EShakti ‘ was created.

The process of digitisation of SHGs was conceived under two groups. One is the inclusion of all transactions carried out, in a digital manner. The second one pertains to storing or recording financial data and transactions. This recording is now enabled in the digital format under the E shakti scheme.

If we are to look at the progress made so far, the government has been able to record, create a database that includes all SHG members. This is the toughest part of the whole scheme as member inclusion in the database involves a lot of networking, researching and bringing together relevant data and holding them together with the right connections.

Once the SHG record keeping is ready and updated, the next step of carrying out financial transaction the digital way will follow easily.

The advantages of digitizing this scheme has many benefit. Right from ensuring transparent and smooth transactions, the outreach to remote and distant locations can also be assured. A good connectivity with banks can be provided and credit systems can be equivalently distributed.

UPI, BHIM and AADHAAR linkages

UPI stands for Unified Payments Interface. It links your mobile app with your bank account through your registered mobile number. To link your account with the UPI app in your mobile to make payments, you should first ensure that the account number that you link with the app should have the same mobile number.

If you are holding and wishing to link with multiple accounts, then you will be provided with separate PIN numbers. The UPI system allows you to make payments at any time on any day. It is constituted by the government with the help of banks across the country. The advantage here is that the person receiving the payment will not get any details about your bank account.

BHIM – It was launched by Mr. Modi in December 2016 to ensure fast and reliable payments without any delay. Banks have a major role to ensure fast, secure and reliable payment system. The National Payments Corporation of India were enticed with the task of developing BHIM app on the interface namely UPI.

The BHIM app is named after the honorable Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and in a path to showcase India’s progress from cash-compulsory transactions to cashless transactions. The AADHAAR number is linked with all our bank accounts and PAN numbers to make different data sets have one common set of data. This ensures high level of efficiency and cost-effective transaction methodologies.

Digitally connected India

India is aiming to be a superpower by the year 2020. For a country to become a superpower, digital connectivity, technology enabled transformation and infrastructure are considered basic drivers. India’s inception into the digital world began as early as the 1990’s.

India started seeing a major giant and hub in the e-space of operating business and this has led to what we see today as our digitally empowered India. The strengthening of broadband through high speed connectivity and covering almost all urban and rural areas was the first step. Almost every household, be it in the rural or the urban circles have access to mobiles.

Digitalisation of government services and making online services citizen friendly was the next offer. This required a host of multi-service centres. Using online repositories at every step of life and bringing in a transparent system of e-governance further elicits the factor of digital India.

E-Kranti or electronic delivery of basic services such as education and healthcare are totally transforming the way we live. Enabling a citizen friendly charter to bring in a space for online participation through social media is sought out. Using IT for business economic growth, governance, services, manufacturing etc. has created a huge momentum and rapid growing bandwidth for digital India.

Universal access to mobile connectivity

We cannot imagine our everyday lives without mobiles today. We use our mobile phone for not just making calls, but for mobile banking, doing online shopping, conducting e-commerce transactions like online ticket reservation, etc and also for a host of other useful applications. Everything that was possible on our computer having an internet connection a few years ago, is now possible on our mobile phone itself.

But providing universal access has its own issues as well. First issue to be addressed is the reach of our mobile networks and secondly, the share of connectivity and related issues. Today mobile towers have been placed by telecom giants even in the most remote corner of the country.

But providing clarity in network and addressing speed issues remain of concern. More than 50,000 villages in the country still remain deprived of good mobile network connectivity. The north eastern part of India still remains an isolated stretch that has not yet attained full capacities in terms of network penetration.

Information technology being the driving force between creating huge, sustainable mobile networks has changed the very basic way of operating business . GPRS maps and tracking thieves using sensor based technologies, mobile operated devices and easy access to knowledge on the mobile are great achievements in this regard.

Good WiFi operating zones with excellent speed, reliable connections and excellent mobile operational facilities are a long way ahead with the growth of technology.

National Rural Internet Mission

The rural face of India is quite different from the urban spheres. Digital India can be well felt and experienced at every step in urban livelihoods but not to a very great extent in rural parts of India. The necessary infrastructure and budget allocation create major hindrances to develop rural spots on par with urban hotspot. Also, to a major extent, education and awareness have a very big role to play in terms of rural development and sustenance of technology there.

Gram panchayats linked digitally to service centers, which are digitally operated online hubs are major areas of development seen in rural areas in the past few years. Also, the digitalisation of post offices in rural parts of India cater to rural livelihood to a very large extent.

If the government is able to implement a successful model of bringing about internet to the doorstep of every rural household, then the farming community can see great progress and development in their occupation. Online selection of seeds, marketing their product online, online credit system, online loan availing system etc. can be successfully developed to reach out to every rural household.

Kisan call centres can be supervised to create awareness and help farmers use internet facilities to develop a broadened farming system. Government should take initiatives to educate farmers regarding use of internet for their dairy farming needs.

A total revolution of the way government services are rendered is the sole motto of eKranti . A totally digital revolution involving creation of databases, preserving traditional data and converting them into digital format, processing data online and catering to citizens needs in the digital way in easiest and quickest manner possible are other takeaway of the process.

It brings under its umbrella, a host of services and prospects to work together in creating a digital nation at all levels. Mobile banking and internet banking have already created big parts of the digital economy today. Including tertiary roles apart from primary services is a due role on the radar of the banking sector.

Improving credit and loan facilities through online process is also a necessary and huge step. Setting up seed and crop prices in real time can be facilitated using online methods and this is being digitised.

Improving latest cloud technologies, ensuring smart software installation and ensuring implementation of standard protocols in governance will create a digital charter for citizens. This will further facilitate smooth business handling, transparency in government functions, a high level system of addressing grievances of citizens etc.

Necessitating required changes through automation and digitization can pave way for long lasting cyber generated information handling. Improving security at every level of digital space is equally essential.

Increased computerisation revolution

Life without mobiles and computers is hard to imagine today. If we need fresh facts and vegetables and unable to go to the market, they will be easily delivered at our doorstep with just one click of a button technologies are emergency very fast and it has created a huge revolution all over the world and not just in India.

But with the host of advantages, steps should also be taken to eliminate chances of hacking networks, infusion of viruses and online threats into networks etc. They say, digital spaces are both a boon and bane if handled improperly. Cyber attacks on various government websites can lead to crucial data theft and malfunctioning of website at the required rate.

India is all set to become the next superpower, if the digital India mission takes shape in all its colours and hues at the pace it is going now. Digital India including cashless transactions and fast, reliable services are mandatory goals for our government today.

Ensuring speed in networks and keeping connectivity to the most remote part of the country is all an essential goal and task of digital India. We as citizens should join hands with the government in securing this mission and creating a developed digital space for India.

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Home » Social Justice » Issues related to Education Sector » Online Education

Online Education

The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered educational institutions across the globe. Closure of schools, colleges and universities, shutdown of routine life of students and teachers, disruptions in education and the education ministry remaining incommunicado, have created an unprecedented situation and thrown many unexpected challenges to administrators, educators, teachers, parents and students.

• Covid-19 hit the poor and marginalised the most.  A similar but less noticed deprivation is being visited to children of the same people, which may push the next generation in a direction of even greater comparative disadvantage.
• Those with no access to the internet are still excluded from quality learning. Further, classes at times get disturbed due to connectivity issues.
• As per NSSO data, only 4.4% of rural households and 23.4% of urban households have computer/laptop.
• Difficult for parents  to adjust to the online system. Parents complain of increased screen time for children, aren’t comfortable with technology themselves and increased pressure from the added household work due to the absence of domestic help adds to their problem.
• Gender divide: Increased domestic responsibilities especially for girls is impairing the atmosphere of learning. According to a recent UN report, only 29% of all internet users are female, which indicates that transitions to digital learning may compound the gender gap in education.
• Lack of vernacular content: Most of the content and existing lectures on internet are in English. In India, the Ministry of HRD data shows that there are only 17% English medium schools.
• Creating new inequality: Only a handful of private schools, universities and IITs could adopt online teaching methods. Their low-income private and government counterparts, on the other hand, have completely shut down for not having access to e-learning solutions.
• No inclusive: Issues of rural students, tribal children are not same. Not everyone can be onboarded to digital learning. Needs of these children must be thought of and a comprehensive learning policy must be made.
• school and university closures will not only have a short-term impact on the continuity of learning for more than 285 million young learners in India but also engender far-reaching economic and societal consequences.
• The pandemic has significantly disrupted the higher education sector as well, which is a critical determinant of a country’s economic future.
• A large number of Indian students—second only to China—enroll in universities abroad, especially in countries worst affected by the pandemic, the US, UK, Australia and China.
• Many such students have now been barred from leaving these countries. If the situation persists, in the long run, a decline in the demand for international higher education is expected.
• The bigger concern, however, on everybody’s mind is the effect of the disease on the employment rate. Recent graduates in India are fearing withdrawal of job offers from corporates because of the current situation.
• The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy’s estimates on unemployment shot up from 8.4% in mid-March to 23% in early April and the urban unemployment rate to 30.9%.
• India is far behind some developing countries where digital education is getting increased attention.
• Democratization of technology is now an important issue, comprising internet connectivity, telecom infrastructure, affordability of online system, availability of laptop/desktop, software, educational tools, online assessment tools, etc.
• Census 2011 tells us that 71 per cent of households with three or more members have dwellings with two rooms or less (74 per cent in rural and 64 per cent in urban areas).
• According to National Sample Survey data for 2017-18, only 42 per cent of urban and 15 per cent of rural households had internet access, and only 34 per cent of urban and 11 per cent of rural persons had used the internet in the past 30 days .
• It is true that many traditional educational institutions (TEIs) (both public and private) have substandard infrastructure. But these data suggest that the majority (roughly two-thirds) of students are likely to be worse off at home compared to any campus.
• The impact of smartphone capabilities and stability of net connectivity on OE pedagogy also needs to be examined.
• But it is as a social rather than physical space that the college or university campus plays a critical role. We have long ignored the vital role public educational institutions play as exemplary sites of social inclusion and relative equality. In Indian conditions, this role is arguably even more important than the scholastic role.
• the public educational institution is still the only space where people of all genders, classes, castes, and communities can meet without one group being forced to bow to others.
• Women students, in particular, will be much worse off if confined to their homes by OE.
• Poor are disconnected and irrespective of background, some children cannot relate to the online classroom, and many more are losing out on midday meals.
• OE can play as a supplement to on-site education.
• It can use content and methods that are hard to include in the normal curriculum. It can put pressure on lazy or incompetent teachers.
• It can provide hands-on experience in many technical fields where simulations are possible.
• And it can, of course, be a powerful accessory for affluent students able to afford expensive aids.
• But it is fraudulent to suggest that OE can replace public education, the only kind that the majority can access.

To summarize, education must continue. Students should keep learning. The lockdown period should be productive. Educators should think creatively and introduce innovative ways of learning. In a country where access to the Internet and high-speed connectivity is a problem, and the digital divide is an issue, it is important to address the challenges. Those who are involved in education planning and administration should give a serious thought to reducing the digital divide in the country and popularize digital learning along with traditional education.

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Biased Media is a Real Threat to Indian Democracy

• 29 Mar 2024
• 10 min read

Whoever controls the media, controls the mind

― Jim Morrison

Media plays a crucial role in any democratic society by providing information, shaping public opinion, and holding those in power accountable. However, the rise of biased media poses a significant threat to the democratic fabric of India. In recent years, Indian media has come under scrutiny for its biased reporting, sensationalism, and lack of objectivity. 

Media serves as the fourth pillar of democracy, alongside the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. Its primary function is to inform citizens, facilitate debate, and act as a watchdog over the government and other powerful institutions. In India, a diverse and vibrant media landscape has emerged since independence, comprising print, broadcast, and digital platforms. However, the proliferation of biased media outlets has blurred the lines between news and propaganda, posing a grave danger to democracy.

Biased media outlets in India often prioritize sensationalism over substance, resorting to inflammatory rhetoric and divisive narratives to attract viewership or readership. This sensationalism contributes to the spread of misinformation and the polarization of society along religious, ethnic, and political lines. Moreover, biased reporting can sway public opinion, influence electoral outcomes, and undermine the credibility of democratic institutions.

The phenomenon of biased media in India is exacerbated by various challenges to press freedom , including political pressure, corporate influence, and legal threats.  The concentration of media ownership in the hands of a few conglomerates limits the diversity of viewpoints and fosters self-censorship among journalists. These challenges impede the media's ability to fulfill its democratic mandate and hold power to account.

Political pressure on media outlets is a common phenomenon in India, where governments often seek to control the narrative and suppress dissenting voices. Media outlets are made manipulated by giving them ads by the political parties for suppressing the truth and spreading rumours and fake news.

Corporate interests often wield significant influence over media organizations through ownership or advertising revenue. A prime example is the Reliance Group , one of India's largest conglomerates with interests in various sectors, including media. Reliance's ownership of a certain media platform, which controls several news channels and digital media platforms, has raised concerns about editorial independence and bias. Critics argue that Reliance's business interests may influence media coverage to favor its corporate agenda, thereby compromising journalistic integrity.

The consequences of biased media on Indian democracy are far-reaching and multifaceted. It erodes public trust in the media as an impartial source of information, leading to widespread cynicism and apathy towards democratic institutions. It undermines the pluralistic fabric of Indian society by fostering intolerance and bigotry towards marginalized communities. It compromises the integrity of electoral processes by manipulating public opinion and influencing voter behavior. Overall, biased media contributes to the erosion of democratic norms and values, posing a serious threat to the future of Indian democracy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, misleading stories about the death toll and government responses deepened the crisis. Twitter censorship of critical tweets and pro-government channels blaming farmers’ protests for oxygen shortages distorted the truth and undermined trust in the media. This jeopardizes their ability to report objectively and hold those in power accountable. Attacks on journalists who expose corruption or criticize political leaders endanger press freedom and democratic functioning.

Sonam Wangchuk, the renowned climate activist and educationalist , recently concluded his 21-day climate fast in Leh, Ladakh. During this period, he sustained himself solely on water and salt, drawing attention to critical issues affecting the region.

Wangchuk’s fast was a powerful statement, emphasizing the need to protect Ladakh’s fragile ecology and indigenous culture . He emphasized the importance of character and foresight in addressing Ladakh’s concerns. Wangchuk’s fast garnered support from various socio-political bodies in Ladakh, including the Kargil Democratic Alliance . Members of the KDA also joined him in hunger strikes, amplifying their collective voice but big news channels and media houses ignored incident and did not provided proper coverage.

Moreover, the Sushant Singh Rajput case became a media frenzy, with sensationalism overshadowing more critical matters. The media’s obsession with Sushant Singh Rajput’s death transformed a tragic suicide into a relentless investigation, streamed live day after day.

Instead of focusing on the actual tragedy, the spotlight shifted to an actress portrayed as the evil intriguer and the perfect cinematic vamp.

The arrest of actress, after relentless pursuit, was celebrated by those addicted to this media spectacle. The media’s gossipy edge often carries deep shades of misogyny. The private-public separation blurred. While the media chased actresses and sensationalized the Rajput case, other crucial issues in the country were sidelined. The Bombay High Court recognized the harm caused by trial by media, obstructing fair criminal case investigations. The media’s role should be to inform, not to manipulate public sentiment.

The practice of accepting money from political parties to publish favorable stories or suppress negative ones, often referred to as "paid news," undermines the integrity of journalism and erodes public trust in the media. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent during election campaigns when political parties seek to manipulate public opinion and gain an unfair advantage. One notable example of paid news occurred during the run-up to the 2014 general elections in India. 

Media showed one sided news about CAA-NRC and misled minorities that led to widespread protest in country. The media played a significant role in shaping public perception of the CAA. Some channels sensationalized the issue, focusing on specific narratives while ignoring broader implications. The trial by media approach led to polarization and misinformation . Social media also played a role, with fact-checkers attempting to correct misinformation. 

Addressing the issue of biased media requires concerted efforts from multiple stakeholders, including policymakers, media professionals, civil society organizations, and the general public. There is a need for stringent regulations and mechanisms to hold media outlets accountable for ethical breaches and misinformation. Media literacy programs should be implemented to educate citizens about the importance of critical thinking and discerning reliable sources of information. Independent media watchdogs and ombudsmen should be empowered to monitor media content and address complaints from the public. Additionally, promoting diversity and plurality in the media industry through initiatives such as community media and public broadcasting can help counteract the influence of biased media conglomerates.

Biased media poses a grave threat to Indian democracy by undermining the principles of transparency , accountability, and pluralism. Its sensationalism, misinformation, and propaganda have the potential to subvert democratic processes and foster social division. Therefore, it is imperative to address the root causes of biased media and implement reforms to safeguard press freedom and media integrity. Only by upholding the highest standards of journalistic ethics and promoting media pluralism can India realize its democratic aspirations and uphold the rights of its citizens.

Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth. 

—Mahatma Gandhi