New Delhi, 01 July (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the Digital India initiative has fundamentally transformed governance, empowered citizens, and accelerated India's development over the past 11 years, describing technology as a key driver of transparency, innovation, and inclusive growth.

Marking the 11th anniversary of the flagship programme launched on July 1, 2015, the Prime Minister said the initiative has reshaped the way public services are delivered and has improved the lives of millions across the country through digital innovation.

In a post on X, Modi said, Today, we mark 11 years since the Digital India initiative was launched. This initiative has redefined governance, empowered citizens and accelerated all-round development. It has touched every aspect of life. From seamless digital payments and direct benefit transfers reaching beneficiaries with transparency to the expanding digital public infrastructure, technology has become a powerful instrument for furthering 'Ease of Living.'

The Prime Minister noted that the Digital India programme has expanded opportunities beyond metropolitan cities, helping villages as well as Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities emerge as important centres of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Digital India has taken the wave of innovation to all parts of India, especially villages, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Young entrepreneurs, StartUps and innovators from every corner of the country are creating solutions to the pressing challenges that our planet faces. This initiative has strengthened education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce and public service delivery, making governance more transparent, efficient and accessible, he said.

Highlighting India's technological progress, Modi said the country's growing capabilities in emerging sectors would create new opportunities for economic growth and employment.

Our strides in the digital world have ensured that India is making rapid progress in emerging technologies such as AI, semiconductors, quantum computing and more. This too will open new avenues for growth and opportunity. Our focus will remain on creating a future where technology serves humanity, empowers every citizen and drives sustainable development, he added.

Launched on July 1, 2015, the Digital India programme aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Over the past 11 years, the initiative has led to the rapid expansion of digital public infrastructure, including platforms such as Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), DigiLocker, CoWIN, FASTag, and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). It has also strengthened direct benefit transfers, expanded internet connectivity, promoted digital literacy, and enhanced the delivery of government services through online platforms.

The government has consistently highlighted Digital India as one of its flagship initiatives, saying it has improved transparency, reduced leakages in welfare schemes, encouraged financial inclusion, and created an enabling ecosystem for startups and digital innovation. The programme has also laid the foundation for India's ambitions in advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and quantum computing.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar