New Delhi, July 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the success of the Digital India initiative, saying it has transformed governance, empowered citizens and given India a new global identity over the past 11 years.
Marking the 11th anniversary of the flagship programme, Modi said Digital India has redefined public service delivery by making governance more transparent, efficient and accessible while accelerating the country’s overall development.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the initiative has touched every aspect of life, from seamless digital payments and transparent Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) to the rapid expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure.
“Digital India has taken the wave of innovation to every corner of the country, especially villages and tier-2 and tier-3 cities,” Modi said, adding that young entrepreneurs, startups and innovators are developing solutions to address global challenges.
He noted that the initiative has strengthened key sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce and public services, while positioning India as a leader in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and quantum computing.
Modi said the government’s continued focus is on ensuring that technology empowers every citizen, improves ease of living and drives sustainable development.
Calling Digital India the foundation of a developed and self-reliant India, the Prime Minister said the programme has played a vital role in empowering the poor and underprivileged while simplifying the lives of citizens.
He also highlighted the expansion of optical fibre networks and the remarkable growth of digital transactions, saying the campaign has attracted global attention.
“When over a billion people embrace technology, the impact is transformative,” Modi said.
Officials noted that before the launch of Digital India in 2015, accessing public services often involved lengthy paperwork, long queues and limited connectivity. Over the past decade, the initiative has significantly bridged the digital divide by expanding internet access and digitising government services.
They added that Digital India has become the backbone of the country’s digital economy and Digital Public Infrastructure, with India now leading the world in real-time digital payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which accounts for nearly 49 per cent of global transaction volume.
