E-Commerce and E-Governance

Unit: -IV
Syllabus:
• E-readiness
▪ e-government readiness
▪ E- Framework
▪ step & issues
• application of data warehousing and data mining in e-
government
• Case studies: NICNET-role of nationwide networking in e-
governance
• e-seva
• Origins in India E-Governance Projects in India
• Measures to be considered before going for E-Governance
• Work plan and Infrastructure
• Digital payment initiatives in India
• Digital Payment platforms and applications
• Use of Aadhar number in digital services

E-readiness:
E-readiness refers to the readiness or preparedness of individuals,
organizations, and societies to utilize electronic technologies
effectively. It encompasses various factors that determine the ability
of individuals and entities to access, adopt, and make effective use of
digital tools and resources.
E-readiness is crucial in today's digital age as technology continues to
play an increasingly significant role in various aspects of life,
including communication, education, commerce, and governance.
Key components of e-readiness include:
• Infrastructure: Access to robust digital infrastructure is
fundamental for e-readiness. This includes reliable internet
connectivity, telecommunications networks, and necessary
hardware devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets.
 Without adequate infrastructure, individuals and organizations
may face barriers in accessing and utilizing digital resources.
• Digital Literacy and Skills: E-readiness requires individuals to
possess the necessary digital literacy and skills to effectively
use technology.
Digital literacy involves the ability to navigate the internet, use
software applications, critically evaluate online information,
and protect oneself from digital threats like cybercrime and
identity theft.
Improving digital literacy through education and training
programs is essential for enhancing e-readiness.
• Regulatory Environment: Government policies and regulations
play a critical role in shaping e-readiness. Policies related to
internet governance, data protection, cybersecurity, and e-
commerce regulations can significantly impact the
development and adoption of digital technologies.
A supportive regulatory environment that promotes innovation
while safeguarding users' rights and interests is essential for
fostering e-readiness.
• Economic and Social Factors: Socio-economic conditions such
as income levels, education, and access to healthcare can
influence e-readiness.
Individuals with higher incomes and better education tend to
have greater access to technology and the internet.
Addressing socio-economic disparities through initiatives that
promote digital inclusion and equitable access to digital
resources is essential for improving e-readiness.
• Digital Content and Services: The availability of digital content
and services is another critical aspect of e-readiness. This
includes access to e-government services, online education
platforms, e-commerce platforms, digital entertainment, and
other digital resources.
Increasing the availability and quality of digital content and
services can enhance e-readiness by providing users with more
opportunities to engage with technology and digital resources.
E-Government Readiness:
E-Government Readiness refers to the extent to which a government
is equipped and prepared to effectively implement and utilize
information and communication technologies (ICTs) to deliver public
services, interact with citizens, and conduct its operations. It
encompasses various aspects, including infrastructure, policies,
human resources, and citizen engagement.
Here's a breakdown of key components:
• ICT Infrastructure: This involves the availability and quality of
ICT infrastructure, including internet connectivity,
telecommunications networks, and hardware devices like
computers and mobile devices.
A robust infrastructure is essential for delivering e-government
services and facilitating digital interactions.
• Legal and Regulatory Framework: Governments need
appropriate laws and regulations to govern e-government
activities, ensuring issues like data privacy, cybersecurity,
electronic transactions, and digital signatures are addressed.
A supportive legal framework helps build trust in e-government
services among citizens and businesses.
• Government Leadership and Strategy: Effective leadership and
a clear strategic vision are crucial for driving e-government
initiatives. Government officials need to champion digital
transformation efforts, allocate resources effectively, and set
strategic goals for e-government development.
• Digital Skills and Capacity: E-government readiness requires
government employees to possess the necessary digital skills
and competencies to design, implement, and manage ICT-
based services.
Training programs and capacity-building initiatives are essential
for enhancing the digital capabilities of the workforce.
• Citizen Engagement and Participation: Engaging citizens in the
design and delivery of e-government services is critical for
ensuring their relevance and effectiveness.
 Governments should adopt user-centric approaches, gather
feedback from citizens, and encourage active participation in
digital governance processes.
• Interoperability and Data Exchange: E-government systems
should be interoperable to enable seamless integration of
information and services across different government
departments and agencies.
Establishing common standards and protocols for data
exchange facilitates interoperability and improves service
delivery.
• Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Protecting sensitive
information and ensuring the security of e-government systems
are paramount.
Governments need robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard
against cyber threats and data breaches, as well as policies to
protect citizens' privacy rights.
• Financial Resources and Sustainability: Adequate funding is
necessary to support the development, implementation, and
maintenance of e-government initiatives.
Governments should allocate resources strategically and
explore sustainable funding models to ensure the long-term
viability of e-government services.
E- Framework:
The term "E-Framework" can refer to different concepts depending
on the context, but generally, it relates to frameworks that facilitate
or guide the development and implementation of electronic or
digital initiatives.
• The e-government efforts in any country involve a large
amount of resources and since the economic and social
conditions of developing countries do not allow them to take
undue risks with new projects, it is imperative that the policy
makers and planners in these countries have a fair idea about
their ‘preparedness’ or e-readiness, before they allocate funds
for the same or begin the development and implementation.
• Since the various assessment tools follow different parameters
and the countries may adopt any one of them as per their
demographic, political and socio-economic conditions.
Countries may also consider customization/adaptation of any
of the above models as per their circumstances.
• Though a country may take any of the approaches, we however
suggest that the E-readiness Assessment Framework should
essentially cover the following aspects:
1. Political and Regulatory Environment:
➢ Commitment of the top leadership
➢ ICT Policy
➢ Communication Policy/ISP Policy/Broadband Policy
➢ E-Gov Policy/Action Plan
➢ IT Act
➢ Legal recognition of Digital Signatures
➢ Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Protection
➢ Security Standards
➢ Privacy Policy
2. Infrastructure:
➢ Hardware
➢ Availability of High-End Computing
➢ Infrastructure
➢ National and State Level Data Centres
➢ Community Information/Internet Access Centres
➢ Networking
✓ Fibre Optic/Satellite/Wireless/Wired
Networks
✓ National/State level Network Backbones
✓ Network Operation Centres
✓ Internet Gateway
✓ Security Infrastructure
✓ Service Gateways/Payment Gateways etc
✓ Last Mile/Rural Area Connectivity
3. Application And Services:
➢ Websites/Portals
 ➢ Back-end Automation
➢ Application Software
➢ Electronic Delivery of Services
➢ Localization of Standard Commercial
➢ Technology Standards
➢ Data/Metadata Standards
➢ Interoperability Framework
4. Human Resources:
➢ ICT Skilled Manpower in Government/Industry
➢ ICT Literacy in Government
➢ E-Literate Citizens
➢ ICT Training Facilities (Basic & Professional)
➢ ICT Education in Schools and Colleges
5. Financial:
➢ Financial Institutions
➢ Financial Resources:
✓ Budgetary Allocation
✓ Through Partnerships
➢ Foreign Investment
6. ICT Usage Scenario/Environment:
➢ ICT Usage by Citizens
➢ ICT Application in Government
➢ ICT Application in Business
➢ PC Penetration
➢ Internet Reach
Step & Issues:
Steps to e-Government readiness:
10- Step process to e-government readiness that can act as a guide
for improving the score of e-government readiness. It is not
necessary to follow the 10 steps sequentially. Some of them can be
implemented in parallel.
Each step may be broken down into a set of tasks and pursued for
effective results. In fact, some of the steps and components, such as
design of architecture, the CIO program, setting up of a state data
centre and gateway, are themselves very large initiatives.
10- Step process to e-government readiness
Step1:
Articulate the e-government vision and strategy. Prepare a five-year
perspective plan
Step 2:
Review the Telecommunication policy, to promote an open,
competitive environment for creation of national and sub-national
networks.
Step 3:
prepare a list of G2c and G2B services that citizens and businesses
need to be provided electronically.
Prioritize the services.
Announce a policy on electronically services delivery.
Step 4:
Design Functional and Technology Architectures that are aimed at
delivering the e-services. Prescribe standards for security.
Step 5:
Initiate statewide e-government projects adopting the pilot
approach. Ensure these are part of the ‘big picture’ developed in step
4
Step 6:
Design and implement an appropriate CIO program. Implement
change management programs across all major government
agencies.
Step 7:
Ensure that all government agencies earmark 2-5% of their budget to
e-government. Announce a PPP policy for e-government and take up
a few projects adopting the PPP Model.
Step 8:
Establish a government –wide WAN for data, voice and video for G2G
applications, adopting a PPP model.
Step 9:
Enact a cyber law that gives a legal validity to all electronic
transactions and records and permits use of digital signatures for
authenticating messages and documents. Publish polices on security
and privacy for e-government.
Step 10:
Establish data centres for e- government using the PPP model.
Design and establish an e-government gateway at the Static Data
Centre.

Challenges (Issues):
➢ Recent studies showing the increasing knowledge intensity of
economic activities in almost all of the industrial countries
contributed to an accelerated interest in e-venues for growth in
the developing countries.
➢ National and international institutions alike appear to be
focusing on the e-potentials for growth in private as well as
public sectors, and almost every developing country is now
mounting a national information technology (IT) development
plan. And preparations for the forthcoming World Summit on
Information Society (WSIS) planned for 2003 and 2004 are
placing IT-related issues at the centre for global politics.
 ➢ Underlying these trends is an implicit expectation that
successful e-Business and e-Commerce (however redefined)
can take place if, and only if, emergent initiatives are built on
robust foundations of readiness.
➢ However, the notion of e-Readiness means different things to
different people, in different contexts, and for different
purposes. As a result, a large gap exists between ideas and
concepts, on the one hand, and practical applications and
implications, on the other.
➢ Gaps also exist between new expectations and capabilities in
place.
➢ Investors as well as policy makers would be well served by the
availability of tools to reduce ambiguity about decision and
choices in this general domain.
➢ Much of what we know about e-Readiness – in theory and in
practice – comes from a range of studies that provide a view of
past performance, current assessment, and future
expectations. Jointly, they reflect on the characteristic features
of ‘first generation of e-Readiness assessment’.
Application of data warehousing and data mining in e-government:
Introduction to Data warehousing:
Data warehousing is a collection of tools and. techniques using which
more knowledge can be driven out from a large amount of data. This
helps with the decision-making process and improving information,
resources.
Data warehouse is basically a database of unique data, structure that
allows relatively quick and easy performance of complex queries
over a large amount of data.
Features/Characteristics of Data Warehouse:
• Subject Oriented: A data warehouse is subject-oriented. It
provides useful data about a subject instead of the company's
ongoing operations, and these subjects can be customers,
suppliers, marketing etc.
 • Time-Variant: The different data present in the data
warehouse provides information for a specific period. Historical
data is kept in a data warehouse.
For example, one can retrieve data from 3 months, 6 months,
12 months, or even older from a data warehouse.
• Integrated: A data warehouse is built by joining data from
heterogeneous Sources, such as social databases, level
documents etc.
It is constructed by integrating data from heterogeneous
sources such as relational databases, flat files etc. This
integration enhances the effective analysis of data.
• Non-Volatile: It means, once data entered into the warehouse
cannot be changed. The data resided in data warehouse is
permanent.
Advantages of Data Warehouse:
• Delivers enhanced business Intelligence: By having access to
information from various sources from a single platform,
decision makers will no longer need to rely on limited data, and
can be applied to a business process.
• Saves time: Executives little to can query the database
themselves with no IT support, saving more time and money.
• Enhances data, quality and consistency: A data warehouse
converts data from multiple sources into a consistent format.
This will lead to more accurate data, which will become the
basis for solid decisions.
• Generates a high Return on Investment (ROI): Companies
experience higher revenues and cost savings than those that
haven't Invested in a data warehouse.
• Streamlines the flow of information: Data warehousing
facilitates the How of information through a network
connecting all related or non-related parties.
Applications of Data Warehousing:
• Financial services
• Banking services
• Consumer goals
 • Retail sectors
• Information Processing
• Analytical Processing
• Data Mining
• Real Life
• Various Industries
• Decision making
Database vs. Data Warehouse:
Operational Database
Data Warehouse (OLAP)
(OLTP)
• Online Analytical • Online Transactional
Processing. Processing.
• the number of users is in • The number of users
hundreds, is in thousand.
• It provides summarized • It provides detailed
and multidimensional view and flat relational
of data. view of data.
• The database size is
• The database size 18 from
from 100MB to 100
100 GB to 100TB.
GB.
• It contains current
• It contains historical data.
data.

Introduction to Data Mining:

Data mining refers to extracting knowledge from large amounts of
data. The data sources can Include databases, data warehouse, web
etc. Data mining refers to the analysis of data.
It is the computer-supported process of analysing huge sets of data
that have either been compiled by computer systems or have been
downloaded into the computer.
In data mining process, the computer analyses data and extract
useful Information from it. Data mining aims to enable business
organizations to view business behaviours, trends relationships that
allow the business to make data-driven decisions.
Applications of Data Mining:
• Data Mining in Healthcare: Data mining in healthcare has
excellent potential to improve the health system. It uses data
and analytics for better insights and to identify best practices
that will enhance health care services and reduce costs. Data
Mining can be used to forecast patients in each category.
• Data Mining in Education: Education data mining is a newly
emerging field, concerned with developing techniques that
explore, knowledge from the data generalised from educational
Environments. An organization can use data mining to make
precise decisions and also predict to the results of the student.
• Data Mining in Manufacturing Engineering: Knowledge is the
best asset possessed can by a manufacturing company. Dola be
beneficial to Data relationships patterns in a complex
manufacturing process.
Data mining can be used in system level designing to obtain the
relationship between product architecture, product portfolio &
data needs of customers.
• Data Mining in CRM (Customer Relation shop Management):
All about obtaining and holding Customers, also enhancing
customer loyalty and implementing customer-oriented
Strategies.
To get a decent relationship with the customer, a business
organization needs to collect data and analyse the data.
• Data Mining in Fraud detection: Billions of dollars are lost to
the action of frauds. An ideal fraud detection system should
protect data of all the users. A model is constructed using data,
and the technique is made Identify whether the document is
frauded or not.
• National Data Warehouses: The National data warehouse
allows researchers and policy makers to view historical data
sets and extract data across different groups.
The large number of data warehouses can be Identified from
the existing data resources within the centre government
ministries.
 • Census Data: Census data is an official count or survey
especially of a population, A Census is the procedure of
systematically acquiring and recording information about the
numbers of given population.
The term is used mostly in connection with national population
and housing censuses; other common censuses include
agriculture, business, and traffic censuses.
The Census is also an important economic tool. At national
level census information is used to plan the provision of health
case, education, employment, transport etc.
It is used to help determine where to build new schools, roads,
health care facilities, child-care etc.
• Prices of Essential Commodities: Commodities are extremely
important as they are essential factors are extremely important
in the production of other goods.
A commodities future price is determined primarily by the
supply and demand traded for the on commodity in the
market.
Since commodities on exchanges, their prices are not set by a
single individual or entity. Data warehouse help and analyses to
find out the lacking problem of commodities, destruction,
storing and stocking process.
Other areas for data warehouse and data mining:
• Agriculture: The Agricultural Census performed by the Ministry
of Agriculture, Government, compiles a large number of
agricultural parameters at the national level.
District-wise agricultural production area and yield of crops is
compiled; this can be built into a Data-on-data warehouse for
analysis, mining and forecasting. Data on agricultural inputs
such as seeds and fertilizers can also be effectively analysed in
a data warehouse.
• Rural Development: Data on individuals below poverty line
(BPL survey) can be built into a data warehouse. Drinking water
census data (from Drinking Water Mission) can be effectively
utilized by OLAP and data mining technologies.
 Monitoring and analysis of progress made on implementation
of rural development program, can techniques also be made
using OLAP and data mining techniques.
• Health: Community needs assessment data, immunization
data, data from national programs on controlling blindness, etc.
can all be used for Warehousing Implementation, OLAP and
data mining applications.
• Planning: At the planning commission, data warehouses can be
built for state plan data on all sectors: labour, energy,
education, trade and industry, five-year plan etc.
• Education: The Sixth All India Educational Survey data has been
converted into a data warehouse (with about 3GB of data).
Various types of analytical queries and. reports can be
answered.
Data warehousing vs. Data Mining:
Data Warehouse Data Mining
Data warehousing is the process
Data Mining is the process
and organizing and compiling
of extracting meaningful
data into one common
data from the database.
database.
A data warehouse is a database Data Mining is actually the
used to store data. analysis of data.
It is a process of transforming Data warehousing is a
data into information and process which needs to
making it available to users for occur before any data
analysis. mining can take place
Data warehousing is a process Data mining can only be
which needs to occur before any done once data
data mining can take place. warehousing is complete.

Data warehousing and data mining are crucial components of e-

government initiatives, enabling governments to utilize data
effectively for decision-making, service improvement, fraud
detection, policy formulation, and citizen engagement.
Let's delve into the detailed applications of data warehousing and
data mining in e-government:
Service Improvement and Optimization:
• Data Warehousing: Governments collect vast amounts of data
from various sources, including citizen records, service
transactions, and feedback mechanisms.
Data warehousing allows for the consolidation of this data into
a centralized repository.
• Data Mining: Once data is stored in a data warehouse, data
mining techniques can be applied to analyse patterns, trends,
and insights related to citizen needs, preferences, and service
usage.
For example, clustering algorithms can identify groups of
citizens with similar service requirements, helping governments
tailor services to meet specific needs.
Association rule mining can uncover relationships between
different services, enabling governments to optimize service
bundling or delivery channels.
Fraud Detection and Prevention:
• Data Warehousing: Governments can integrate data from
diverse sources, such as financial transactions, procurement
records, and tax filings, into a centralized data warehouse.
• Data Mining: Data mining techniques, such as anomaly
detection and pattern recognition, can be applied to identify
irregularities or suspicious activities that may indicate fraud or
corruption.
For instance, anomaly detection algorithms can flag unusual
spending patterns or discrepancies in procurement records,
helping governments detect fraudulent behavior early and
prevent financial losses.
Policy Formulation and Decision Support:
Data Warehousing: Governments can aggregate and store data
related to demographics, socioeconomic indicators, public health,
education, and other areas of public interest in a data warehouse.
 • Data Mining: Data mining techniques, such as regression
analysis and predictive modelling, can help governments
identify correlations, causal relationships, and predictive
models that inform policy formulation and strategic planning.
For example, predictive modelling can forecast future trends in
areas like healthcare demand or traffic congestion, allowing
governments to anticipate needs and allocate resources more
effectively.
Personalized Services and Citizen Engagement:
• Data Warehousing: Governments can capture and store data
on citizen interactions, preferences, and feedback from various
channels, including websites, mobile apps, and social media
platforms.
• Data Mining: By applying data mining techniques such as
clustering and classification, governments can segment citizens
into different groups based on demographic characteristics,
behaviour patterns, and service preferences.
This enables governments to personalize service offerings,
targeted communications, and engagement strategies to better
meet the diverse needs and preferences of citizens, enhancing
overall satisfaction and participation.
Performance Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Data Warehousing: Governments can store performance
metrics, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and outcome
measures from various e-government initiatives and programs
in a data warehouse.
• Data Mining: Data mining techniques can help governments
track progress, measure impact, and identify areas for
improvement by analysing trends, comparing performance
against benchmarks, and predicting future outcomes.
For instance, sentiment analysis can gauge citizen satisfaction
with specific services, while trend analysis can identify
emerging issues or patterns that require attention.
Case studies: NICNET-role of nationwide networking in e-
governance:
NICNET is a satellite based National Informatics Network established
in 1987 at Seshagiri. Its aim has been to provide informatics services
to State and Central Governments departments and its various
organisations.
• The NIC was established in 1976 under the aegis of the
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• The NIC is credited with helping the Indian government
embrace IT in the 1990s and has also helped disseminate e-
governance to the masses.
• It had an annual budget of Rs. 11.5 billion (US$160 million) for
the year 2018-19.
• In May 2019, the government of India set up the Centre for
Smart Governance (CSG), and state governments have since
been advised to consult the CSG for IT projects they previously
would have consulted the NIC and private firms for.
• Some claim that government sources have said "NIC is said to
be unable to scale up", and Rajeev Chawla, Additional Chief
Secretary (e-Governance), was quoted as saying "CSG will be an
analogue to NIC".
• NICNET stands for National Informatics Centre Network.
National Informatics Centre (NIC) is an institution under the
Government of India. It provides solutions in the area of e-
governance particularly for the sectors that fall under
Government of India. It supports NICNET.
• It can be made available to all organizations (both public and
private) organizations engaged in specific projects and
programmes. NICNET produced the enabling facilities for
supporting added activities, projects and programmes in the
special work areas.
NIC plays a major role in the information revolution at all levels
(district level, state level and national level) by implementing
projects in Information Technology in the following programmes:
 • Speedy Court Cases Trials: A successful Experiment through
Video Conferencing between the Jail and the Court. This
process is implemented in the Bihar State and in other States
too.
• Redressal of Public Grievances: It is the Ongoing programme of
Chhattisgarh Government through NICNET and also spreading
many states which have Video Conferencing facilities.
• IT in Indian Courts: Landmark project covering the all levels of
Courts (Supreme Courts, High Courts and District Courts) in
India.
• AGMARKNET: It provides globalization of Indian Agriculture.
Networking of Agricultural provides Wholesale Markets for
dissemination of Agricultural Produces Market prices
information.
• Sales Tax Administration: The following are success stories in
different states STAMINA, TACKIS & MUDRA.
NIC involved in implementing "e-Governance agenda" of the Central
Government with respect to the following:
• Internet/Intranet Infrastructure (PCs, Office productivity tools,
Portals on Business allocation) up to Section officers levels
• IT Projects in India: IT empowerment of Officers or Officials &
Capacity Building, ICT enabled Services (G2G, G2E, G2C and
G2B)
• ICT plans for Sectoral Informatics Development
Services profiles, among the others, include the following:
• Network services (WAN, MAN, LAN)
• Data mining and data warehousing
• Total ICT Solutions
• Video Conferencing & web services
• Certification Authority and PKI Services
• Domain (gov.in) Registrar
• Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Services National
Disaster Recovery Centre
• Geometrics & Informatics design and development for decision
support
 • Sectoral ICT Plan formulation
• NIC implemented and developed a very large number of
projects for various State and Central Government Ministries
and Organizations. Many of these projects are carried out by
the divisions of NIC at New Delhi Headquarters and
State/District centres in the country.
The following are some of such projects:
• Agricultural Marketing Information Network (AGMARKNET)
• Community Information Centres (CICs)
• Court Information System (COURTIS)
• Department of Agriculture Network (DACNET)
• Examination Results Portal
• Land Records Information System (LRIS)
• National Hazardous Waste Information System (NHWIS)
• Training
• Video Conferencing
E-Seva:
E-Seva, also known as Electronic Seva, is an e-governance initiative
implemented by various state governments in India to provide
electronic delivery of government services to citizens. The term
"Seva" translates to "service" in English, and "E-Seva" essentially
refers to delivering government services electronically, leveraging
information technology and online platforms.
Here's an explanation of E-Seva and how it operates:
➢ Objective: The primary objective of E-Seva is to make
government services more accessible, convenient, and efficient
for citizens by digitizing service delivery processes. It aims to
reduce bureaucratic hurdles, minimize corruption, and enhance
transparency in service delivery.
➢ Service Delivery Channels: E-Seva typically operates through
multiple service delivery channels, including:
• Online Portals: Dedicated websites or portals where
citizens can access government services, submit
 applications, track the status of their requests, and make
payments online.
• Common Service Centres (CSCs): Physical centres
established at the grassroots level, equipped with
computers, printers, and internet connectivity. Citizens
can visit these centres to avail themselves of various
government services digitally with the assistance of
trained personnel.
• Mobile Applications: Some E-Seva initiatives offer mobile
applications that citizens can download on their
smartphones to access government services on the go.
• Call Centres: In some cases, E-Seva initiatives include call
centres where citizens can inquire about government
services, seek assistance, and lodge complaints over the
phone.
➢ Range of Services: E-Seva platforms offer a wide range of
government services across different sectors, including:
• Utility bill payments
• Application for various certificates (birth, death, income,
domicile, etc.)
• Property tax payments and property-related services
• Licenses and permits (driving license, vehicle registration,
business licenses, etc.)
• Social welfare schemes and benefits
• Grievance redressal mechanisms
➢ Technology Infrastructure: E-Seva initiatives rely on robust
technology infrastructure, including secure networks,
databases, and online payment gateways, to facilitate the
electronic delivery of services. These systems are often
managed by dedicated government agencies or departments
responsible for e-governance.
➢ Benefits: The implementation of E-Seva offers several benefits
for both citizens and the government, including:
 • Improved accessibility: Citizens can access government
services from anywhere at any time, reducing the need
for physical visits to government offices.
• Enhanced efficiency: Digital processes streamline service
delivery, reducing paperwork, processing times, and
administrative overheads.
• Transparency and accountability: Online tracking
mechanisms allow citizens to monitor the status of their
requests, promoting transparency in governance.
• Cost savings: E-Seva initiatives reduce the costs
associated with manual service delivery processes, such
as printing, storage, and manpower.
Origins in India E-Governance Projects in India:
India has been actively pursuing e-governance initiatives for several
years, aiming to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in
government services. The origins of e-governance projects in India
can be traced back to the late 1990s and early 2000s when the
government started various initiatives to digitize processes and
deliver services electronically.
Some key milestones and initiatives include:
• National e-Governance Plan (NeGP): Launched in 2006, NeGP
aimed to make all government services accessible to the
common man in his locality through common service delivery
outlets and ensure efficiency, transparency, and reliability of
such services at affordable costs to realize the basic needs of
the common man.
• Digital India Initiative: Launched in 2015, Digital India is a
flagship program of the Government of India with a vision to
transform India into a digitally empowered society and
knowledge economy. It encompasses various initiatives aimed
at ensuring that government services are made available to
citizens electronically by improving online infrastructure and by
increasing Internet connectivity.
• Aadhaar: The Aadhaar project, initiated in 2009, is the world's
largest biometric ID system. It aims to provide a unique
identification number to all residents of India. Aadhaar has
been integrated into various e-governance initiatives to
streamline service delivery and improve efficiency.
• e-Governance Services Delivery Gateway (NSDG): NSDG is a
part of the NeGP and serves as the core infrastructure for
enabling various e-governance services to citizens. It provides a
common platform to enable the delivery of services through
multiple channels such as the Internet, Common Service
Centers (CSCs), mobile devices, etc.
• Common Service Centers (CSCs): CSCs are physical service
delivery points established at the village level to deliver various
government and business services to citizens. These centers are
operated by private entrepreneurs known as Village Level
Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and are an essential component of e-
governance initiatives in rural areas.
• e-District Project: Launched under the NeGP, the e-District
project aims to provide integrated and seamless delivery of
citizen services by automation of workflow, backend
computerization, and data digitization of various departments.
• National Knowledge Network (NKN): NKN is a state-of-the-art
multi-gigabit pan-India network for providing a unified high-
speed network backbone for educational and research
institutions in India. It plays a crucial role in supporting e-
governance initiatives by providing high-speed connectivity.
• Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): The involvement of the
private sector through public-private partnerships was
instrumental in implementing e-governance projects in India.
Initiatives like Common Service Centers (CSCs), where private
entrepreneurs set up service delivery points at the grassroots
level, helped extend the reach of government services to rural
areas.
• Capacity Building: Efforts were made to build the capacity of
government officials and employees to adapt to digital
 technologies and e-governance practices. Training programs
and workshops were conducted to familiarize them with ICT
tools and processes.
• Citizen-Centric Approach: E-governance projects in India were
designed with a focus on citizen-centricity, aiming to empower
citizens by providing easy access to government services and
information. Initiatives like the e-District project aimed to
streamline service delivery and improve the overall citizen
experience.
• Legal and Regulatory Framework: Alongside policy initiatives,
the enactment of laws and regulations related to cybersecurity,
data protection, and electronic transactions provided a
conducive environment for the growth of e-governance in
India.
Measures to be considered before going for E-Governance:
Before implementing e-governance initiatives, several measures
should be carefully considered to ensure successful planning,
execution, and sustainability.
Here are some key considerations:
• Assessment of Infrastructure: Evaluate the existing IT
infrastructure, including hardware, software, and network
connectivity, to determine its readiness for supporting e-
governance applications. Ensure that the infrastructure can
handle the expected workload and provide reliable services to
users.
• Policy Framework: Develop a comprehensive policy framework
that outlines the objectives, scope, roles, responsibilities, and
legal provisions governing e-governance initiatives. This
framework should address issues such as data privacy, security,
intellectual property rights, and interoperability standards.
• Capacity Building: Invest in capacity building programs to train
government officials, employees, and stakeholders on the use
of technology, e-governance tools, and best practices. Ensure
 that there is sufficient expertise available to manage and
maintain the e-governance systems effectively.
• Citizen Engagement: Involve citizens and stakeholders in the
design, development, and implementation of e-governance
projects. Conduct surveys, focus groups, and consultations to
understand their needs, preferences, and feedback. Design
user-friendly interfaces and processes to enhance citizen
engagement and participation.
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with
relevant laws, regulations, and standards governing e-
governance, such as data protection laws, cyber laws, and
accessibility standards. Obtain necessary approvals and
clearances from regulatory authorities before launching e-
governance initiatives.
• Security Measures: Implement robust security measures to
protect e-governance systems, data, and transactions from
cyber threats, fraud, and unauthorized access. This includes
encryption, authentication, access controls, firewalls, intrusion
detection systems, and regular security audits.
• Interoperability Standards: Adopt interoperability standards
and protocols to facilitate seamless integration and exchange
of data between different e-governance systems and platforms.
This ensures compatibility, scalability, and interoperability of e-
governance solutions across various departments and levels of
government.
• Financial Sustainability: Develop a sustainable funding model
for e-governance projects, considering both initial investments
and ongoing operational costs. Explore options for public-
private partnerships, revenue generation, cost recovery
mechanisms, and innovative financing models to ensure long-
term financial sustainability.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish mechanisms for
monitoring, evaluation, and performance measurement of e-
governance initiatives. Define key performance indicators (KPIs)
and benchmarks to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and
 impact of e-governance projects on service delivery,
governance outcomes, and citizen satisfaction.
• Change Management: Anticipate and manage the
organizational and cultural changes associated with e-
governance implementation. Communicate effectively with
stakeholders, address concerns, and foster a supportive
environment for innovation, collaboration, and continuous
improvement.
Work plan and Infrastructure:
Developing a comprehensive work plan and establishing the
necessary infrastructure are crucial steps in implementing e-
governance initiatives effectively.
Here's a breakdown of both aspects:
➢ Work Plan:
• Needs Assessment: Conduct a thorough assessment to
identify the specific needs, challenges, and opportunities
for e-governance in the target areas. Engage
stakeholders, including government departments,
citizens, and businesses, to gather input and prioritize
requirements.
• Goal Setting: Define clear and achievable goals and
objectives for e-governance initiatives, aligned with
broader government priorities and strategic objectives.
Ensure that goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to facilitate
monitoring and evaluation.
• Strategy Development: Develop a comprehensive e-
governance strategy outlining the approach, scope,
timeline, and resources required for implementation.
Define key focus areas, target user groups, and desired
outcomes. Consider factors such as citizen engagement,
service delivery channels, and technology platforms.
• Project Planning: Break down the e-governance initiative
into actionable projects and tasks. Develop detailed
 project plans, including timelines, milestones,
deliverables, and resource allocations. Identify
dependencies, risks, and mitigation strategies to ensure
smooth execution.
• Resource Allocation: Allocate human, financial, and
technical resources based on the requirements identified
in the project planning phase. Ensure that sufficient
resources are available to support the implementation,
operation, and maintenance of e-governance systems.
• Capacity Building: Invest in capacity building programs to
enhance the skills and knowledge of government officials,
employees, and stakeholders involved in e-governance
initiatives. Provide training on technology, project
management, change management, and best practices in
e-governance.
• Partnership Development: Identify potential partners and
stakeholders, including other government agencies,
private sector organizations, civil society groups, and
international development partners. Foster collaborations
and partnerships to leverage expertise, resources, and
networks.
• Pilot Testing: Conduct pilot tests or pilot projects to
validate e-governance solutions, gather feedback, and
identify areas for improvement before full-scale
implementation. Engage pilot users to evaluate usability,
functionality, and effectiveness of e-governance systems.
• Rollout and Scaling: Gradually rollout e-governance
initiatives to broader user groups, geographic areas, or
government departments based on the success of pilot
projects and readiness of infrastructure. Monitor
progress, address challenges, and adapt strategies as
needed to scale up implementation.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish mechanisms for
monitoring and evaluation to track progress, measure
performance, and assess the impact of e-governance
 initiatives. Define key performance indicators (KPIs),
benchmarks, and evaluation criteria to ensure
accountability and transparency.
➢ Infrastructure:
• Hardware: Procure and deploy the necessary hardware
infrastructure, including servers, computers, networking
equipment, and peripherals, to support e-governance
applications and services. Ensure scalability, reliability,
and redundancy to handle increasing workloads and
ensure continuity of operations.
• Software: Select and implement appropriate software
solutions, including e-governance platforms, applications,
databases, and operating systems. Customize and
integrate software to meet specific requirements and
interoperability standards.
• Network Connectivity: Establish reliable and high-speed
network connectivity to facilitate communication, data
exchange, and access to e-governance systems. Deploy
Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs),
and Internet connectivity solutions as needed.
• Data Centres: Set up data centres or cloud infrastructure
to host e-governance applications, databases, and digital
assets securely. Ensure data centre facilities are equipped
with robust security, power backup, and disaster recovery
mechanisms.
• Security Measures: Implement robust security measures,
including firewalls, intrusion detection systems,
encryption, access controls, and security policies, to
protect e-governance infrastructure and data from cyber
threats and unauthorized access.
• Interoperability Standards: Adhere to interoperability
standards and protocols to ensure compatibility and
seamless integration between different e-governance
systems, platforms, and databases. Implement data
 exchange formats, APIs, and middleware solutions for
interoperability.
• User Devices: Provide user devices such as computers,
laptops, tablets, and mobile devices equipped with
necessary software and connectivity to access e-
governance services. Consider factors such as
accessibility, affordability, and usability for diverse user
groups.
• Support Services: Establish support services such as help
desks, technical support teams, and maintenance
contracts to provide assistance, troubleshooting, and
maintenance for e-governance infrastructure and
applications.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Design infrastructure solutions
that are scalable and flexible to accommodate future
growth, technological advancements, and changing
requirements. Plan for upgrades, expansions, and
migrations as needed to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Compliance and Standards: Ensure compliance with
relevant standards, regulations, and best practices
governing e-governance infrastructure, including data
privacy, security, accessibility, and environmental
sustainability.
Digital payment initiatives in India:
India has witnessed significant growth in digital payment initiatives
over the past decade, driven by government policies, technological
advancements, and changing consumer behaviour. Several key digital
payment initiatives have been launched to promote cashless
transactions, financial inclusion, and digital economy.
Here are some notable examples:
➢ Unified Payments Interface (UPI):
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a system that powers
multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any
participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless
 fund routing & merchant payments into one hood. It also caters
to the “Peer to Peer” collect request which can be scheduled
and paid as per requirement and convenience. Each Bank
provides its own UPI App for Android, Windows and iOS mobile
platform(s).
❖ How to get it:
• Bank a/c
• Mobile number should be linked with bank a/c
• Smart Phone with internet facility
• Debit Card for re-setting MPIN.
❖ Service Activation:
• Download the App for UPI
• Do registration online on the App with a/c details
• Create a virtual ID
• Set MPIN
• 5-7 minutes
❖ What is required for Transaction:
• Smartphone with internet facility
• Registered device only
• Use registered MPIN
• Self Service Mode
❖ Transaction Cost:
• NIL to customer by most Banks
• Customer pays for data charges
❖ Services Offered:
• Balance Enquiry
• Transaction History
• Send / Pay Money
• Virtual Address
• A/c no. & IFSC code
• Mobile no. and MMID
• Aadhaar (to be made functional)
• Collect Money
• Virtual Address
 • Add bank account
• Change / Set MPIN
• Notifications
• A/c Management
❖ Funds Transfer limit:
• 1 lakh / transaction
➢ Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM):
Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) is a mobile app for easy and quick
payment transactions using Unified Payments Interface (UPI). User
can make instant bank-to-bank payments and pay and collect money
using Mobile number, Bank a/c and IFSC code, Aadhaar number or
Virtual Payment Address (VPA).
BHIM has the facility to scan & pay through QR code. User can check
transaction history and can also raise complaint for the declined
transactions by clicking on Report issue in transactions.
BHIM is available in 20 regionals for better user experience.
Users can also make transaction using from their feature phone as
well by dialling *99#.
A mobile wallet is a way to carry cash in digital format. You can link
your credit card or debit card information in mobile device to mobile
wallet application or you can transfer money online to mobile wallet.
Instead of using your physical plastic card to make purchases, you
can pay with your smartphone, tablet, or smart watch.
An individual's account is required to be linked to the digital
wallet to load money in it. Most banks have their e-wallets and some
private companies. e.g. Paytm, Freecharge, Mobikwik, Oxigen,
mRuppee, Airtel Money, Jio Money, SBI Buddy, itz Cash, Citrus Pay,
Vodafone M-Pesa, Axis Bank Lime, ICICI Pockets, SpeedPay etc.
❖ How to get it:
• Option to open Zero KYC or Full KYC wallet
• Option of Consumer vs. Merchant wallet
• Mobile Number
• An App to be downloaded in smart phone
❖ Service Activation:
 • Load money (subject to regulatory limits) using internet
banking or merchant locations
• Bank A/c
• All Cards
• Cash-In
❖ What is required for Transaction:
• Smartphone or internet
• Use MPIN
• Self-service and/or Assisted mode
❖ Transaction Cost:
• Customer pays for remittances to bank a/c @ 0.5%-2.5% of
fixed fee.
• May pay for data charges in self-service mode.
❖ Services Offered:
• Balance Enquiry
• Passbook/ Transaction history
• Add money
• Bank A/c
• All Cards
• Cash-In
• Accept Money
• Pay money
• Another wallet (mobile no.) with same provider
• Pay merchant
• Bar Code reader
• Manage Profile
• Notifications
❖ Funds Transfer limit:
• For Users
• No KYC - Rs 20,000/ month (revised from Rs
10,000 to current till 30th Dec. 2016)
• Full KYC – Rs 1,00,000/- month
• For Merchants
• Self-Declared - Rs 50,000/ month
• With KYC – Rs 1,00,000/- month
➢ UPI Lite:
“UPI LITE” offers a wallet in BHIM-UPI app for an amount of up to
₹2,000 on a smart phone, eliminating the need for the user to first
obtain electronic authorisation from his/her bank while making the
payment, offering the user better experience in terms of improved
speed and transaction success rate.
➢ Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS):
AEPS is a bank led model which allows online interoperable
financial transaction at PoS (Point of Sale / Micro ATM) through
the Business Correspondent (BC)/Bank Mitra of any bank using
the Aadhaar authentication.
❖ Banking Services Offered by AePS:
• Cash Deposit
• Cash Withdrawal
• Balance Enquiry
• Mini Statement
• Aadhaar to Aadhaar Fund Transfer
• Authentication
• BHIM Aadhaar Pay
❖ How to get it:
• Provide KYC (Know Your Customer) information to open a
new account
• Aadhaar Number should be linked with bank a/c
❖ Service Activation:
• None
• 1-2 minutes post Aadhaar seeding
❖ What is required for Transaction:
• Micro ATM
• Remember Aadhaar
• Give Bank name
• Present self (Aadhaar holder) with Bio-metrics (Finger
and/or IRIS)
• Assisted mode
❖ Transaction Cost:
 • NIL to customer
• Merchant or BC may get charged or paid based on bank‘s
discretion
❖ Services Offered:
• Balance Enquiry
• Cash Withdrawal
• Cash Deposit
• Aadhaar to Aadhaar funds transfer
• Payment Transactions (C2B, C2G Transactions)
❖ Funds Transfer limit:
• Banks define limit. No limit for RBI.
➢ Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS):
Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) is a one-stop platform that
provides an interoperable and easily accessible recurring and bill
payment service to consumers via multiple channels like Internet
Banking, Mobile Banking, Mobile Apps, UPI, etc. Users are able to
bill payments across various categories including electricity, gas,
water bills, telecom, DTH, etc.
➢ National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) FASTag:
NETC FASTag provides an easy and convenient digital payment
mechanism for toll payments. This is an interoperable solution
available to individuals nationwide. With the use of Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, the FASTag device
allows for making toll payments directly while the individuals
vehicle is in motion.
➢ Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) / *99#:
*99# is a USSD based digital payment and banking service. Customers
can avail this service by dialing *99#, a “Common number across all
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)” on their mobile phone and transact
through an interactive menu displayed on the mobile screen. *99#
service is currently offered by almost all leading banks & all GSM
service providers and can be accessed in 13 different languages
including Hindi & English.
❖ Key services offered under *99# service include:
• Interbank account to account fund transfer
 • Balance enquiry
• Mini statement besides host of other services
❖ How to get it:
• Provide KYC (Know Your Customer) information to open a
new account
• Mobile no. should be linked with bank a/c
• Register for USSD/Mobile Banking
• Get MMID (Mobile Money Identifier)
• Get MPIN (Mobile PIN)
❖ Service Activation:
• None
• 1-2 minutes
❖ What is required for Transaction:
• Remember MMID
• Remember MPIN
• Dial *99#
• Registered mobile number with any phone (feature or
smart)
• Self Service mode
❖ Transaction Cost:
• NIL by system
• Rs. 0.50 charged to customer
Disclaimer: The transaction costs are based on available information
and may vary based on banks.
❖ Services Offered:
• Balance enquiry
• Mini Statement
• Funds transfer
• MMID
• A/c no.
• Aadhaar
• Know MMID
• Change M-PIN
• Generate OTP
❖ Funds Transfer limit:
 • Rs 5,000/day
• Rs 50,000/annum
➢ BANKING CARDS (DEBIT / CREDIT / CASH / TRAVEL / OTHERS):
Banking cards offer consumers more security, convenience, and
control than any other payment method. The wide variety of cards
available – including credit, debit and prepaid – offers enormous
flexibility, as well.
These cards provide 2 factor authentication for secure payments e.g
secure PIN and OTP. RuPay, Visa, MasterCard are some of the
examples of card payment systems.
Payment cards give people the power to purchase items in stores, on
the Internet, through mail-order catalogues and over the telephone.
They save both customers and merchants’ time and money, and thus
enable them for ease of transaction.
❖ How to get it:
• Provide KYC (Know Your Customer) information to open a
new account
• Apply for Card with option of Debit / Credit Card
• Get a PIN
❖ Service Activation:
• Visit an ATM to activate PIN
• May take about 3-7 days
❖ What is required for Transaction:
• PoS terminal or online payment gateway
• Present Card physically or card details for online
transaction
• Provide PIN
• Provide OTP (One Time Password) received on registered
mobile to complete online transaction for merchant
website.
• Self-service and/or Assisted mode
❖ Transaction Cost:
• NIL to customer for merchant transactions.
• Annual fee and limits on ATM transaction by banks
discretion.
 • 0.50% to 2.25% paid by merchant
• Cash-out charged to customer in case of credit cards @ 1%
to 3.5% of transaction value.
❖ Services Offered:
• These cards can be used at PoS (Point of Sale) machines,
ATMs, microATMs, Shops, wallets, online transactions, and
for e-commerce websites.
• International cards can be used across globe for multiple
currencies
❖ Funds Transfer limit:
• User can set up transaction limit based on card.
• Based on credit ratings
➢ Immediate Payment Services (IMPS):
Immediate Payment Services (IMPS) is a real-time interbank
electronic fund transfer service capable of processing person to
person (P2P), person to account (P2A) and person to merchant
(P2M) transactions. Individuals can make payments 24x7 using
their mobile number, Aadhaar number, bank account and IFSC
code. Users can access IMPS through multiple channels such as
mobile, internet, ATM and SMS.
Digital Payment platforms and applications:
India has a diverse range of digital payment platforms and
applications that cater to various user preferences and needs.
Here are some of the prominent ones:
➢ Unified Payments Interface (UPI):
• Google Pay (formerly Tez): Developed by Google, Google
Pay is one of the most popular UPI-based payment apps
in India. It allows users to send money, pay bills, recharge
mobile phones, and make payments at stores using UPI.
• PhonePe: PhonePe is another leading UPI-based payment
app in India. It offers similar features to Google Pay,
including money transfers, bill payments, and merchant
transactions, with a user-friendly interface.
 • Paytm: Paytm started as a mobile wallet but has since
integrated UPI functionality. It offers a wide range of
services, including mobile recharges, bill payments, online
shopping, and digital wallet transactions.
➢ Digital Wallets:
• Paytm: Besides UPI, Paytm offers a digital wallet service
that allows users to store money and make payments for
various goods and services.
• PhonePe Wallet: PhonePe also has its digital wallet
feature, enabling users to store funds and make quick
payments using their app balance.
• Mobikwik: Mobikwik is another popular digital wallet app
in India, offering services such as mobile recharges, bill
payments, and online shopping.
➢ Banking Apps:
• ICICI iMobile: iMobile is the mobile banking app of ICICI
Bank, one of India's largest private sector banks. It offers
a wide range of banking services, including fund transfers,
bill payments, account management, and investment
options.
• HDFC Bank MobileBanking: HDFC Bank's mobile banking
app provides similar features to iMobile, allowing
customers to perform various banking transactions
conveniently from their smartphones.
➢ Digital Payment Solutions:
• Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM): Developed by the
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), BHIM is a
UPI-based payment app that offers a simple and secure
way to make digital payments using UPI handles or QR
codes.
• Samsung Pay: Samsung Pay is a mobile payment service
that allows users to make payments using their Samsung
smartphones at NFC-enabled terminals or through MST
(Magnetic Secure Transmission) technology, which works
with traditional card readers.
 • Amazon Pay: Amazon Pay is a digital payment service
offered by Amazon India. It allows users to make
payments for their Amazon purchases as well as for
various third-party merchants, bill payments, and
recharges.
➢ Specialized Payment Apps:
• IRCTC Rail Connect: This app, developed by the Indian
Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), allows
users to book train tickets, make payments, and manage
their bookings.
• Bharat BillPay: Bharat BillPay is a one-stop platform for
paying various utility bills, including electricity, water, gas,
and DTH services, through a network of authorized
agents.
Use of Aadhar number in digital services:
The Aadhaar number, a 12-digit unique identification number issued
by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has been
integrated into various digital services and initiatives in India.
Aadhaar has become a foundational element of the country's digital
ecosystem, facilitating identity verification, authentication, and
service delivery
Aadhaar number is a unique number that is issue to every citizen of
India and is a Universal Number that serve as proof of identity and
address.
This 12-digit number stores every detail of an individual in a
government database and is essential for public welfare schemes
and citizen services.
Aadhar offers easy online verification, thereby eliminating the need
of carrying multiple documents as it is a universal document. Here is
more information about various benefits of Aadhar Card.
Importance of Aadhar Card
❖ Identity Card:
The Aadhaar card can be used as an identity card for the Indian
citizens. With Aadhaar being connected to other identity cards
like PAN, the Aadhaar card has slowly become the sole card
accepted all over the country. With an Aadhaar card, you will
not be required to register or apply for any other card for any
services.
For example, an Aadhar card can be used as proof of identity,
proof of address as well as proof of age when applying for any
government service.
❖ Availing of Subsidies:
One of the most important uses of Aadhar card is that it
permits the holder to avail of all government subsidies he/she
is eligible for. Since the government already has all the
necessary data on a particular individual, they need only
produce their Aadhaar card in order to avail themselves of the
various subsidies or programmes.
The government has so far introduced schemes whereby
the Aadhar can be linked to a bank account and LPG
connection so individuals can receive their LPG subsidy directly
into their bank accounts.
❖ Ease of Availability:
The Aadhaar card is the only government-issued ID that can be
used anywhere in the country. An online application for an
Aadhaar card is available. This digital version of the physical
copy of Aadhaar is known as an e-Aadhaar and may be viewed
anywhere, at any time.
❖ Benefits of Aadhar Card for Government Process:
An Aadhar Card is an essential document when it comes to KYC,
verification, and identification purposes. Following are the benefits
of Aadhaar Card which can be used to speed up government and
bureaucratic processes:
• Acquisition of Passport:
 The acquisition of a passport can be a daunting endeavour as
it requires plenty of time. Obtaining a passport includes
getting an appointment with the authorities, processing your
application, dispatching of the passport and police
verification checks. It usually takes multiple weeks to
complete all processes and avail yourself of a passport, but
thanks to the increased uses of an Aadhar Card, the process
of obtaining a passport can be now expedited.
• Opening Bank Accounts:
Aadhar Cards can come in handy when opening a bank
account. The document can be used for KYC, identification
and verification purposes. Financial institutions and banks
consider Aadhaar Cards as valid address and photo ID proof
during the time of opening a bank account.
• Digital Life Certificate:
The 'Jeevan Pramaan for Pensioners' or the Digital Life
certificate as it is also called, was initiated by Narendra
Modi, the Prime Minister of India. The certificate's aim was
to abolish the need for the pensioner to be physically
present to receive pension for the continuation of their
scheme. Pensioners can now avail pension without having to
leave their homes as their details can be digitally accessed by
the agency through their Aadhar Card numbers.
• Jan Dhan Yojana:
The Jan Dhan Yojna accepts your Aadhaar Card Number as
the only document for the opening of a bank account. The
scheme is said to offer considerable help to people in
remote and rural areas to avail the services offered by
banks.
• Disbursing Provident Fund:
Individuals who link their Aadhar Card to their Pension
Accounts can have their provident fund disbursed directly to
their accounts through their PF organisation.
• LPG Subsidy:
 By linking the Aadhaar number to the 17-digit LPG ID, users
will be able to avail the LPG subsidy directly in their
respective bank accounts.
❖ Benefits of Aadhaar for Residents:
The following are some of the significant benefits of Aadhar for
residents:
• One Aadhar number of a resident ensures no duplicates
number in the government database, as it is linked to the
biometric information
• Aadhar is extremely portable as it can be kept as a soft copy for
easy verification and agents contact the UIDAI database
anywhere for authentication.
• Aadhar offers self-service facility such as assuring security for
mobile banking and payment through two-factor
authentication
• The Aadhar card acts as a universally accepted document used
as proof of identity, address, and age.
• Enables economically backwards residents of the country to
avail themselves of various government schemes using Aadhar
card.
❖ Benefits of Aadhar for Availing Government Subsidies and
Benefits:
Here are some of the programs or benefits that can be availed using
Aadhar:
• Healthcare:
• Janashree Bima Yojana
• Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana
• Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana

• Employment:
• Indira Awas Yojana
• Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana
• Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program

• Food and Nutrition:

• Public Distribution System
• Mid-Day Meals
 • Integrated Child Development Scheme
• Food Security

• Education:
• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

• Social Security:
• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
• Janani Suraksha Yojana
• Development of Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups
• Other Benefits of Aadhar Card
❖ The following are some other benefits of having Aadhar card:
• Create Your Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) using
Aadhaar - ABHA is a 14-digit number, which is similar to a
bank account number, is used for linking the health records
of the patients, authenticating and identifying them by
linking it with Aadhar.
• Driving license - Linking Aadhar with driving license will
ensure the prevalence of multiple licenses.
• SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) - Having
Aadhar is useful for those who wish to invest in stock
market, as it will now be accepted as a proof of address and
identity by Securities and Exchange Board of India.
• Mobile number - New mobile numbers require Aadhar
linking and existing mobile subscribers, including both
prepaid and postpaid users, need to link their Aadhar with
their mobile number.
• Book up to 12 tickets on the IRCTC website in a month by
linking Aadhaar - If users get verified with Aadhar, they can
book 12 tickets in a month. While only 8 tickets per month
are allowable for users who have not verified themselves
using Aadhar.
• Passport in 10 days - Aadhar number is compulsory to get
passport as per the new government rule, and passport will
be provided in just ten days. As per the new format, the
police verification can be done later.
• Voter Card Linking - Linking Aadhar card with voter ID will
prevent an individual from having multiple voter ID cards.