Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) allows for innovative and convenient public services, help overcome inclusion or accessibility barriers, and increase transparency and accountability with real-time data. Discuss with examples. (Answer in 250 words)

Digital Public Infrastructure refers to the set of systems, procedures, and services that are used to provide digital services to public and businesses. TgP: INDIA STACK - Aadhar Enabled Payment System. DPI has 3 components: People Identity Aadhar, Payment (UIPI Banking), Services (JTAM trinity) - India only country to achieve all 3. Innovative and Convenient Public Services: i Bharat Bill Payment Services is case of paying utility bills. ii Enables quick and efficient access. TgP: JK services.gov.in based on myGov.in. iii Transaction Services. TgP: Unified Payment Interface. iv Access to insurance.

Overcome Inclusion and Accessibility Barriers: i Reduces physical accessibility barriers. TgP: no need of demand draft etc → direct payment through UPI. ii Promotes inclusive growth. TgP: UPI 123 pay for feature phones. iii Interactive 4G. iii Promotes MSMEs. TgP: using credit data for 'data based lending'. Increases Transparency and Accountability: i Digital data is easy to view, access and analyse. TgP: Credit score. ii Increases public accountability. TgP: Service Guarantee Act and timelines can be assessed. iii Plugs leakages. TgP: DBT in PDS. However, some drawbacks: i Rural-urban divide. ii Lack of data privacy iii Data localization issue. TgP: transaction data misuse. These drawbacks can be reduced with combining offline awareness campaigns; inculcating digital literacy; providing digital comfort etc which well help in realizing the vision of Digital India.

These drawbacks can be reduced with combining offline awareness campaigns; inculcating digital literacy; providing digital comfort etc which will help in realizing the vision of Digital India.

— Suvan Sharma · AIR 148