Computer Literacy and Digital Awareness · Chapter 9

E-governance and Digital India

What to remember

E-governance means using information and communication technology to give government services to citizens, businesses and other departments quickly, openly and at low cost.
Digital India was launched by the Government of India in 2015 and rests on nine pillars, including broadband highways, universal phone access, public Internet access and e-governance.
The main e-governance models are G2C, G2B, G2G and G2E. Central tools such as Aadhaar, DigiLocker, UMANG and the e-Sign service help deliver services without paperwork.

Meaning and aims of e-governance

E-governance is the use of technology by the government to run its work and serve people. It is wider than e-government: it also covers how citizens take part in decisions. The "e" stands for electronic.

Main aims:

Make services easy and fast.
Increase transparency and reduce corruption.
Cut paperwork and travel to offices.
Make government accountable to citizens.
Reach people in remote areas.

Stages often described: putting information online, two-way interaction, doing a full transaction online, and finally joined-up services across departments.

E-governance models

Model	Full form	Example idea
G2C	Government to Citizen	Online certificates, bill payment, applying for a ration card
G2B	Government to Business	Company registration, tax filing, tenders
G2G	Government to Government	Data sharing between departments or states
G2E	Government to Employee	Salary slips, leave and service records for staff

Important point: G2C is the most visible to common people. G2G works behind the scenes and improves speed inside the administration.

Digital India programme

Digital India was launched in 2015 with three vision areas: digital infrastructure as a core utility for every citizen, governance and services on demand, and digital empowerment of citizens.

The nine pillars:

1. Broadband Highways
2. Universal Access to Mobile Connectivity
3. Public Internet Access Programme
4. e-Governance: Reforming Government through Technology
5. e-Kranti: Electronic Delivery of Services
6. Information for All
7. Electronics Manufacturing
8. IT for Jobs
9. Early Harvest Programmes

BharatNet is the project to bring optical fibre broadband to village panchayats. Common Service Centres (CSCs) are village-level centres that offer digital services to people who do not have the Internet at home. The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) began in 2006 and was later brought under Digital India as e-Kranti. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) is the government's main technology support body for e-governance projects.

Central digital services

Service	What it does
Aadhaar	12-digit unique identity number from the UIDAI, based on biometric and basic details
DigiLocker	Cloud space to store and share official documents; shared copies are treated as valid
UMANG	One mobile app to use many central and state services
e-Sign	Lets a person sign a document online using Aadhaar-based authentication
MyGov	Platform for citizens to share ideas with the government
GeM	Government e-Marketplace for public purchases
BHIM and UPI	Digital payments
Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile	Together used to send money directly to bank accounts (Direct Benefit Transfer)
e-Hospital and Co-WIN type systems	Online health records and appointments

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) sends subsidies straight into the beneficiary's bank account. This removes middlemen and reduces leakage. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act is the law dealing with how personal data of citizens is handled; check the latest official release for details.

Andhra Pradesh and state e-services

Described in general terms, Andhra Pradesh and other states provide:

Village and ward secretariat services, which bring many government services close to the home.
Mee Seva type citizen service portals for certificates, bills and applications.
Online land records and registration services.
Online scholarship, ration and pension systems.
Online job and recruitment notification portals.
Mobile-based citizen services, such as messaging platforms for certificates and bill payment.

Check the latest official portal for the exact list of services, because names and links change. Common features of state e-services are: apply online, upload documents, pay online, track status, and receive the certificate in digital form.

Benefits and challenges

Benefits	Challenges
Saves time and cost	Digital divide: some people lack devices or Internet
Transparent and trackable	Low digital skills, language barriers
Fewer visits to offices	Cyber security and privacy risks
24x7 availability	Power and network problems in remote areas
Reduces corruption	Resistance to change, need for training

Digital literacy campaigns such as PMGDISHA train rural households in basic computer and Internet use, with a focus on one digitally literate person in each family.

Role of ICT infrastructure and common e-services

E-governance depends on solid basic infrastructure: reliable electricity, telephone and mobile networks, broadband, data centres, and trained staff. A State Data Centre stores the data of state departments, and the State Wide Area Network links offices across the state. Cloud services allow departments to share resources without buying their own servers. Open data portals publish government data for the public to use.

Common services that many governments offer online:

Filing income tax returns and paying taxes.
Booking railway tickets and checking train status.
Passport application and tracking.
Applying for a driving licence or vehicle registration.
Paying electricity, water and property bills.
Checking land records and registering property.
Online grievance (complaint) systems where a citizen can file a complaint and track it.
Online scholarship applications for students.
Public Distribution System (ration) records linked to Aadhaar.
Online tenders so that bidding is open and fair.

Several of these use a single sign-on or a mobile number with an OTP for login. A key feature of good e-governance is the "one-stop" idea: one portal or counter for many services. Another feature is service levels: each service has a time limit in which it must be given. Citizen charters and online status tracking help people hold offices to these limits.

Good practice for users: use only official portals (web addresses of government sites often end with gov.in or nic.in), keep a copy of the application number, and never pay extra money to unknown agents who say they can speed up an online service. Training in basic computer use for officials is also important, because a system works only when its staff can use it.

Smart governance goes beyond forms. Data from sensors, maps and mobile phones helps cities plan traffic, water supply and waste collection. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to map land, roads and resources. Drones and satellite pictures help in land survey and crop assessment. Artificial intelligence is slowly being used for translation of government content into regional languages, so that Telugu-speaking and other regional-language users can read services in their own language.

Key terms and ideas to revise

Interoperability: different systems can work and share data with each other. It is needed for one-stop services.
Digital signature and digital certificate: let officials and citizens sign and prove identity online, so files need not be printed.
Re-engineering: changing the old paper-based steps of a service, not just copying them online. Good e-governance first simplifies the process.
Public-private partnership: private firms help build and run some e-services under government rules.
Grievance redressal: an online system to file, track and close complaints within a set time.
Mobile governance (m-governance): delivering services through mobile phones, by apps, SMS and messaging.
Open standards: common technical rules so that different departments can connect their software easily.

Security and privacy matter greatly because e-governance holds personal data of millions of people. Departments use access control, encryption and audit trails. Citizens should check that the website is genuine, use strong passwords and avoid sharing OTPs. Training, awareness in local languages and help desks at Common Service Centres and secretariats make services usable for people who are new to technology.

Exam traps

G2C is for citizens; G2B is for business; G2G is between governments; G2E is for employees.
Aadhaar is a number from UIDAI; DigiLocker stores documents; UMANG is an app for many services.
Digital India has nine pillars, not seven or ten.
e-Governance is wider than e-government.
BharatNet connects village panchayats with optical fibre.
NIC supports government technology; NPCI runs payment systems.
e-Sign needs Aadhaar-based authentication, not a physical stamp.
GeM is for government buying, not for citizen shopping.

One-liners

1. Digital India was launched in 2015.
2. Digital India has nine pillars.
3. Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number.
4. UIDAI issues Aadhaar.
5. DigiLocker stores documents digitally.
6. UMANG is a single app for many government services.
7. GeM is the Government e-Marketplace.
8. G2C means Government to Citizen.
9. DBT sends benefits directly to bank accounts.
10. CSCs are village-level digital service centres.
11. BharatNet brings broadband to village panchayats.
12. e-Kranti is the electronic delivery of services pillar.

Practice questions

E-governance means:
1. Only building websites for shops
2. Using ICT to deliver government services
3. Printing government forms
4. Selling government shares
Answer
B. Using ICT to deliver government services
E-governance uses technology for governance.
The Digital India programme was launched by the Government of India in:
1. 2010
2. 2020
3. 2006
4. 2015
Answer
D. 2015
Launched in 2015.
How many pillars does Digital India have?
1. Twelve
2. Ten
3. Nine
4. Seven
Answer
C. Nine
Nine pillars.
Which Digital India pillar aims to bring fibre broadband to village panchayats?
1. IT for Jobs
2. Electronics Manufacturing
3. Early Harvest Programmes
4. Broadband Highways
Answer
D. Broadband Highways
BharatNet supports this pillar.
The project to connect village panchayats with optical fibre is:
1. MyGov
2. UMANG
3. GeM
4. BharatNet
Answer
D. BharatNet
BharatNet = rural fibre network.
G2C stands for:
1. Government to Company
2. General to Citizen
3. Government to Citizen
4. Group to Citizen
Answer
C. Government to Citizen
Standard model name.
G2B refers to services between:
1. Government and broadcasters
2. Government and borrowers
3. Government and business
4. Government and bank
Answer
C. Government and business
G2B = Government to Business.
Data sharing between two government departments is an example of:
1. G2B
2. G2C
3. B2C
4. G2G
Answer
D. G2G
Government to Government.
Salary slips and service records of staff come under:
1. B2B
2. G2B
3. G2C
4. G2E
Answer
D. G2E
Government to Employee.
Applying online for a certificate by a citizen is an example of:
1. B2B
2. G2C
3. G2E
4. G2G
Answer
B. G2C
Citizen service.
Aadhaar is a:
1. 6-digit PIN
2. 10-digit phone number
3. 12-digit unique identity number
4. 16-digit card number
Answer
C. 12-digit unique identity number
Aadhaar is 12 digits.
Aadhaar is issued by:
1. NPCI
2. UIDAI
3. RBI
4. NIC
Answer
B. UIDAI
Unique Identification Authority of India.
Which service stores official documents in the cloud for citizens?
1. BharatNet
2. GeM
3. MyGov
4. DigiLocker
Answer
D. DigiLocker
DigiLocker is a digital document locker.
Which single mobile app offers many central and state government services?
1. MyGov
2. BHIM
3. UMANG
4. GeM
Answer
C. UMANG
UMANG is a unified services app.
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is used for:
1. Land registration
2. Citizen certificates
3. Mobile recharges
4. Public procurement by government
Answer
D. Public procurement by government
GeM is for government buying.
MyGov is a platform for:
1. Paying electricity bills
2. Buying tenders
3. Citizens to share ideas with the government
4. Storing documents
Answer
C. Citizens to share ideas with the government
MyGov is for citizen engagement.
e-Sign service lets a person sign a document online using:
1. A postal code
2. Aadhaar-based authentication
3. A rubber stamp
4. A fax machine
Answer
B. Aadhaar-based authentication
e-Sign relies on Aadhaar authentication.
Direct Benefit Transfer sends subsidies to:
1. The beneficiary's bank account
2. The village head
3. The nearest shop
4. The employer
Answer
A. The beneficiary's bank account
DBT goes straight to the account.
Village-level centres that give digital services to people are called:
1. Common Service Centres
2. Study centres
3. Data centres
4. Call centres
Answer
A. Common Service Centres
CSCs deliver e-services in villages.
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) mainly:
1. Issues Aadhaar
2. Runs UPI
3. Supports government with technology for e-governance
4. Prints currency
Answer
C. Supports government with technology for e-governance
NIC gives technology support.
Which body runs UPI?
1. UIDAI
2. NPCI
3. NIC
4. TRAI
Answer
B. NPCI
NPCI runs UPI and RuPay.
The pillar "e-Kranti" is about:
1. Electronics manufacturing
2. Information for all
3. Early harvest
4. Electronic delivery of services
Answer
D. Electronic delivery of services
e-Kranti = electronic delivery of services.
The National e-Governance Plan began in:
1. 2015
2. 2006
3. 1996
4. 2020
Answer
B. 2006
NeGP began in 2006.
A key benefit of e-governance is:
1. Higher printing costs
2. Fewer services
3. More transparency and less paperwork
4. More travel to offices
Answer
C. More transparency and less paperwork
It increases transparency.
The digital divide means:
1. Splitting of a hard disk
2. A network error
3. A broken computer screen
4. Gap between those with and without access to technology
Answer
D. Gap between those with and without access to technology
Unequal access.
Which is a common challenge for e-governance in remote areas?
1. Poor network and low digital skills
2. Excess paper
3. Cheap devices
4. Too many offices
Answer
A. Poor network and low digital skills
Connectivity and skill gaps.
PMGDISHA focuses on:
1. Digital literacy in rural households
2. Rail ticketing
3. Tax filing
4. Space research
Answer
A. Digital literacy in rural households
It trains rural families in digital skills.
Village and ward secretariats in Andhra Pradesh are described as places that:
1. Print currency
2. Build satellites
3. Run railways
4. Bring many government services close to people
Answer
D. Bring many government services close to people
They give local access to services.
Which of the following is correctly matched?
1. DigiLocker - Government purchases
2. GeM - Government purchases
3. Aadhaar - Online tenders
4. UMANG - Document storage
Answer
B. GeM - Government purchases
GeM is for government procurement.
Which is an example of a G2B service?
1. Online scholarship for a student
2. Staff leave record
3. Online company registration
4. Ration card application by a family
Answer
C. Online company registration
Business services are G2B.
Statement 1: Digital India has nine pillars. Statement 2: Digital India was launched in 2015. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
C. Both 1 and 2
Both are true.
Statement 1: DigiLocker stores documents digitally. Statement 2: GeM is used by citizens to store certificates. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
GeM is for government procurement.
Statement 1: Aadhaar is issued by NPCI. Statement 2: Aadhaar is a 12-digit number. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
B. 2 only
UIDAI issues Aadhaar.
Statement 1: G2C services are meant for citizens. Statement 2: G2G services are meant for businesses. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
G2G is between governments or departments.
Statement 1: DBT reduces middlemen and leakage. Statement 2: DBT sends benefits to the beneficiary's bank account. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
C. Both 1 and 2
Both correct.
Statement 1: E-governance is wider than e-government. Statement 2: E-governance can include citizen participation. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
C. Both 1 and 2
Both correct.
Statement 1: BharatNet aims at fibre broadband to village panchayats. Statement 2: CSCs offer digital services at village level. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
C. Both 1 and 2
Both correct.
Statement 1: UMANG is a single app for many services. Statement 2: MyGov is used to pay taxes. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
MyGov is for citizen engagement.
Statement 1: e-Sign uses Aadhaar-based authentication. Statement 2: e-Sign needs a physical signature. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
e-Sign is online.
Statement 1: Digital India has only seven pillars. Statement 2: Electronics Manufacturing is one of the pillars. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
B. 2 only
There are nine pillars.
Statement 1: NIC gives technology support to government projects. Statement 2: NIC issues Aadhaar numbers. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
UIDAI issues Aadhaar.
Statement 1: E-governance can cut travel to government offices. Statement 2: Digital divide can stop some people from using e-services. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
C. Both 1 and 2
Both correct.
Statement 1: G2E means Government to Employee. Statement 2: G2B means Government to Bank. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
G2B = Government to Business.
Which pillar of Digital India covers Common Service Centres style access for people without home Internet?
1. Early Harvest Programmes
2. IT for Jobs
3. Electronics Manufacturing
4. Public Internet Access Programme
Answer
D. Public Internet Access Programme
This pillar gives public access points.
Statement 1: The latest list of AP e-services should be checked on official portals. Statement 2: State e-services never use online payment. Which is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer
A. 1 only
Many services allow online payment.

Page 1 of 1

Chapter quiz · 10 questions

0/10 answered

On what you just read, from the live question bank. 🔒 Answers and solutions are shown to registered students (free).
अध्याय पढ़ने के बाद अभ्यास करें।

1.In which Supreme Court judgment, delivered in 2025, was it held that ensuring accessible and inclusive digital access to e-governance platforms and welfare services forms an essential component of the Fundamental Right to Life and Liberty?
2.The Supreme Court held that inclusive digital access to e-governance and welfare systems forms an integral part of the fundamental right to life and liberty. This right is guaranteed under which Article of the Indian Constitution?
3.Inclusive digital access to e-governance and welfare systems, including directions to make the digital Know Your Customer (KYC) process accessible for persons with disabilities, has been judicially recognised as an integral part of which Fundamental Right under the Constitution of India?
4.Digital India BHASHINI Division signed a Statement of Intent with which body to advance multilingual AI-based governance?
5.'Digital India' is a campaign aimed at?
6.The device used to carry digital data on analog lines is called
7.The first digital computer made by IC chips is known as:
8.The world's first electronic digital computer is:
9.The three main components of a digital computer system are
10.The Indian government unveiled which of the following guidelines in November 2025, which are comprehensive frameworks to ensure safe, inclusive and responsible AI adoption across various sectors and propose a robust governance framework to foster cutting-edge innovation and safely develop and deploy AI? (RRB NTPC Tier I (09/04/2016) Shift 3)

10 left. You can check any time.