On July 2, 2025, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi marked a major national milestone: 10 years of the Digital India initiative, a transformative programme that has redefined governance, empowered millions of citizens, and catalyzed the rise of a world-class digital economy in India. First launched in 2015, Digital India was envisioned as a comprehensive framework to digitally empower the country, and today, the journey has not only surpassed expectations but is also propelling India toward global digital leadership.

From 25 Crore to 97 Crore: India’s Internet Surge

Back in 2014, India had a modest 25 crore internet connections. Today, that number stands at an impressive 97 crore, a nearly fourfold increase within a decade. This exponential growth in digital connectivity has been underpinned by the rollout of 4.81 lakh 5G base stations and the laying down of 42 lakh kilometres of optical fibre cable. This robust infrastructure has extended high-speed connectivity to some of the most remote and strategic regions, including Galwan and Siachen, thereby achieving digital inclusion on a national scale.

Revolution in Digital Transactions and E-Governance

A cornerstone of Digital India has been the creation of India Stack and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Today, UPI supports over 100 billion digital payment transactions annually, making India a global leader in real-time, interoperable digital payments. These platforms have enabled seamless service delivery across both public and private domains, bridging the urban-rural divide and creating an inclusive digital economy.

Another transformative tool has been the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, through which the government has transferred over Rs. 44,00,000 crore (approximately US$ 513 billion) directly into beneficiaries’ accounts. The DBT system has also eliminated leakages and corruption, saving Rs. 3,48,000 crore (around US$ 40.65 billion) by ensuring transparency and efficiency in welfare schemes.

Key Digital Milestones

Several pioneering digital governance initiatives were highlighted by Prime Minister Modi:

• CoWIN: Played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic by issuing 220 crore QR-code verified vaccination certificates.

• SVAMITVA Scheme: Enabled the issuance of 2.4 crore property cards, mapping rural properties using drone technology.

• DigiLocker: Widely adopted as a secure platform for storing and sharing official documents.

• PM-WANI: Boosted public Wi-Fi availability, especially in underserved areas.

• One Nation One Subscription: Aimed at democratizing access to knowledge resources across libraries and institutions.

These platforms have not only served domestic needs but have also become reference models for other countries, showcasing India’s technological leadership.

Empowering MSMEs and Women Entrepreneurs

India’s digital revolution has significantly benefited the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) have opened up new economic frontiers. The GeM platform alone crossed Rs. 1,00,000 crore (US$ 11.68 billion) in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) within just 50 days, involving 22 lakh sellers, including 1.8 lakh women-led enterprises.

These platforms provide a level playing field, particularly for small and women entrepreneurs, allowing them to access government procurement opportunities without traditional barriers.

India AI Mission: Building for the Future

Looking to the future, the India AI Mission is being scaled up significantly. The government has committed an investment of Rs. 10,282 crore (US$ 1.2 billion) to democratize access to artificial intelligence infrastructure. This includes 34,000 high-performance GPUs, offered at globally unmatched pricing, enabling startups, researchers, and academia to develop cutting-edge solutions.

The New Delhi Declaration on Responsible AI reflects India’s intent to ensure ethical and inclusive deployment of AI technologies. It sets a global benchmark for transparency, accountability, and human-centric AI development.

India’s Startup Rise: Third-Largest Ecosystem

One of the major outcomes of the Digital India programme is the creation of a vibrant and resilient startup ecosystem. India is now home to over 1.8 lakh startups, making it the third-largest startup hub globally, following the United States and China.

Startups in fintech, health tech, edtech, agritech, and deep tech have flourished due to a supportive regulatory environment, digital infrastructure, and widespread adoption of new technologies by both the public and private sectors.

A Vision for Global Digital Leadership

As India marks a decade of digital transformation, Prime Minister Modi laid out a new vision: from digital governance to global digital leadership. He called upon Indian innovators, developers, and startups to build inclusive, scalable technologies that can uplift lives globally, especially in emerging and developing economies.

The emphasis is not just on being a technology adopter, but a technology creator and exporter—positioning India as a trusted global innovation partner in the digital age.

Impact in Remote and Strategic Areas

India’s digital growth isn’t limited to urban centers. Connectivity and services have reached border villages and high-altitude zones, enhancing not just civilian welfare, but also national security through better communication and surveillance capabilities.

Regions such as the Northeast, Ladakh, and tribal belts have seen new employment opportunities, better access to education and healthcare, and increased civic engagement through digital channels.

Key Takeaways from the 10-Year Journey

1. Digital Empowerment at Scale: Over 97 crore citizens are digitally connected; digital identity, finance, and governance are seamlessly integrated.

2. Efficiency Gains: DBT alone has saved nearly US$ 40.65 billion in public funds.

3. Ecosystem Creation: Infrastructure, innovation, and inclusion have worked in tandem to establish India as a digital powerhouse.

The Road Ahead

India’s digital future will rest on:

• AI infrastructure and talent development

• Cybersecurity resilience

• Global collaboration for digital governance

• Universal access to digital tools in local languages

The government plans to continue investing in connectivity, AI, IoT, cloud, and blockchain, while building global partnerships and promoting standards for trustworthy digital solutions.

Conclusion

A decade of Digital India has brought the country to a pivotal point—ready to transition from a digital service provider to a global digital leader. From mobile governance to AI-based innovation, from payment platforms to rural digitization, India’s digital journey under Prime Minister Modi has set a global precedent.

As the world grapples with the challenges and opportunities of the digital era, India offers a proven model of scalable, inclusive, and transparent digital transformation. With PM Modi’s vision and continued policy push, Digital India is not just a national programme—it is a global blueprint for inclusive digital development.

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