Digital information refers to any data or content stored in digital format in computers and information systems. It includes text, images, audio, video, databases, software code, sensor data etc. Digital information has become the cornerstone of modern economies and is growing exponentially.
India has witnessed a digital revolution with over 687 million internet subscribers as of March 2021. Smartphone users are expected to reach 1 billion by 2026. This has led to massive creation and consumption of digital information – from news and social media to digital payments and e-commerce. Digital information is disrupting governance, businesses, education, healthcare and more.
Emergence of Information Economy
The plunging costs of storing, processing and transmitting digital information has created a thriving information-based economy. Indian IT exports crossed $147 billion in 2020-21. E-commerce is booming – India saw 39 billion online transactions worth $620 billion in 2021. Media and entertainment have gone digital, eg.: over 70% of Indians consume online news.
India’s digital economy is estimated to reach $1 trillion by 2025. Digital information is now a strategic national infrastructure like roads and electricity. From farmers checking crop prices and e-filing taxes to cab drivers using GPS and doctors analyzing medical reports – digital information underpins economic activities and services.
Government Initiatives in Digital Information
The government has taken key initiatives to expand digital information capabilities and ecosystem.
- Digital India: Launched in 2015 with over $20 billion investment covering broadband infrastructure, e-governance etc to make digital access and literacy universal.
- Aadhaar: World’s largest biometric ID system with over 1.3 billion enrolled Indians. Enables targeted information services delivery.
- Open data portal: Launched in 2012 to proactively release government datasets. Currently hosts over 1 million datasets.
- DigiLocker: Provides citizens 1GB free digital document storage for official records like driving license, vehicle registration etc. Over 60 million users.
- UMANG app: Provides 1,000+ government services like passport, LPG subsidy, PF claims on a common mobile interface. 100 million+ downloads.
- GeM: Government e-Marketplace for public procurement of goods and services. Over 50,000 buyers and sellers registered.
Impact on Key Sectors
Digital information is positively disrupting sectors like education, healthcare, finance and more.
- Education: Digital content, online learning platforms and virtual classrooms using technologies like AI and VR are expanding access to personalized education. SWAYAM hosts 2,000+ e-learning courses.
- Healthcare: Online medical records, e-diagnostics, telemedicine and AI-based tools are overcoming information gaps to make healthcare affordable and accessible.
- Financial inclusion: Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity has enabled Direct Benefit Transfers of government subsidies, pensions etc delivered directly to 373 million accounts.
- Agriculture: Digital initiatives like Kisan Suvidha app and e-NAM enable farmers quick access to information on crops, weather, prices and markets.
- Cashless economy: UPI processed over 46 billion real-time digital payments in 2021. Digital payments linked to bank accounts, Aadhaar and mobile are reducing cash usage.
- E-commerce and services: Availability of product information, price comparisons and ratings online has made shopping more transparent. Service sectors like transport, food delivery etc. depend heavily on digital information exchange.
Challenges in Managing Information Explosion
However, India also faces pressing challenges in managing the information explosion.
- Information overload: Excessive information across sources like social media is leading to distraction and inability to differentiate fact from misinformation.
- Security risks: Increased digital data increases vulnerability to fraud, identity theft, hacking etc. Data privacy violations are rising.
- Unequal access: Digital divide across regions, socio-economic groups creates barriers to universal information access. Only 41% rural Indians use internet.
- Skill gaps: Lack of information literacy and data analysis skills limits citizens’ ability to fully utilize information for personal growth and economic participation.
- Infrastructure constraints: Inadequate broadband connectivity and power supply issues especially in rural areas hamper access to information.
- Record preservation: Digitization of records like land records is progressing slowly. Paper-based records face decay risks.
- Regulation: Outdated laws are unable to address issues like data protection, privacy, digital rights etc that have arisen in the information age.
Strategic Priorities
To maximize gains from the digital information revolution, India must focus on four strategic priorities:
- Universal access: Availability of high-speed broadband internet, affordable smartphones/computers and uninterrupted power supply is essential to provide the bedrock for information access across India.
- Digital literacy and skills: School curriculum must include digital literacy – ability to identify, locate, evaluate, use and create information effectively. Vocational training in data analytics for students and professionals will prepare India’s workforce for the future.
- Data empowerment: Individuals must be provided open access to their own digital information like health records, taxes, bills etc to exercise greater control. Consent-based data sharing frameworks are also needed.
- Information security: Robust cybersecurity systems, encryption, data protection laws and grievance redressal mechanisms must be instituted to build user trust and prevent information misuse.
The Road Ahead
Digital information is poised to be the lifeblood of India’s progress across economic, social and governance spheres in the 21st century. With thoughtful leadership, capacity-building and inclusion, India can harness the digital information revolution to drive innovation, efficiency, accountability and growth benefitting all citizens. The creation of an informed, empowered and educated digital society will be one of independent India’s biggest achievements.
