Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
Why in news?
A MoU has been signed between Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India and the Ministry of Communications of the Republic of Cuba on Cooperation in the field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation in New Delhi.
Relevance:
GS- 2, GS- 3 (Government Policies & Interventions, E-Governance, Inclusive Growth)
What is DPI?
- Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) encompasses various platforms and frameworks, including digital identification, payment infrastructure, and data exchange solutions.
- These components facilitate the delivery of essential services to citizens, promoting digital inclusion and enhancing overall well-being.
- DPIs facilitate the seamless flow of people, money, and information.
- Firstly, through digital identification systems enabling the smooth movement of individuals.
- Secondly, via real-time fast payment systems facilitating swift financial transactions.
- And thirdly, through consent-based data sharing systems, empowering citizens to control their personal information and realize the benefits of DPIs.
- India, through its pioneering initiative, India Stack, stands out as the first nation to establish all three foundational DPIs: Digital Identity (Aadhaar), Real-Time Fast Payment (UPI), and Account Aggregator built on the Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA).
- DEPA establishes a digital framework enabling users to share their data on their terms through designated Consent Managers.
- Pillars of India’s DPI Ecosystem: Aadhaar, DigiYatra, DigiLocker, UPI.
What is India Stack?
- India Stack constitutes a suite of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) designed to empower governments, businesses, startups, and developers in leveraging a distinctive digital infrastructure to address India’s complex challenges, striving towards service delivery that is presence-less, paperless, and cashless.
- Its primary objective is to unlock the fundamental economic elements of identity, data, and payments on a massive scale across the population.
- The vision of India Stack transcends national boundaries, offering applicability to any country, whether developed or emerging.
- While initially conceptualized and implemented in India, its widespread adoption by billions of individuals and businesses has facilitated significant advancements in financial and social inclusion, positioning the nation for the digital era.
