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Introduction  

The GDP contribution of the digital economy in India has grown from 4–4.5% in 2014 to 11% in current times and is predicted to reach 20% by 2026. Digital inclusion via use of digital technologies & services, aims to ensure equitable access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) for all individuals, particularly those facing the greatest barriers, enabling their participation & development in the digital economy and society.

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Potential of Digital Inclusion for fuelling India’s economic development 

• Workforce Efficiency: Digital tools facilitate automation and better communication, enhancing the workforce’s efficiency. Eg: as seen in the e-office system which has streamlined bureaucratic processes, enabling faster clearances and service delivery. 
• Educational Accessibility: Digital education platforms like SWAYAM democratise access to education, offering courses designed by experts from premier institutions like IITs and IIMs. This enables a wider section of the population to receive high-quality education.
• Market Expansion: E-commerce platforms extend market reach for small producers. Artisans from remote parts of India can now sell their products nationwide on platforms like ONDC, Flipkart, Amazon, and Etsy, expanding their customer base and boosting their incomes.
• Financial Services: Government initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana leverage digital infrastructure to extend banking services to rural and marginalised populations, increasing their participation in the formal economy and promoting savings and investment.
• Agricultural Innovation: Platforms such as the Electronic National Agriculture Market (eNAM) integrate smaller agricultural markets into a nationwide network, allowing farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers across the country, often leading to better pricing and reduced wastage.
• Healthcare Reach: Telemedicine initiatives have taken centre stage, particularly post-COVID-19, with platforms like eSanjeevani providing remote consultations, which is a boon for rural areas that traditionally lack access to quality healthcare facilities.
• Efficient Governance: The MyGov platform exemplifies digital engagement by allowing citizens to contribute to policy making. It enhances transparency and accountability in governance, which is essential for equitable development.

Government Initiatives taken in this regard 

• Digital India: Launched to ensure government services are available to citizens electronically and improve online infrastructure, it has introduced key projects like the e-sign framework, e-hospitals, and public internet access programs.
• Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): With an objective to digitally literate 60 million individuals in rural households and reaching to around 40% of rural households by covering one member from every eligible household which is crucial for enabling digital access and literacy at the grassroots level.
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI): UPI’s introduction has revolutionised the digital payments space in India, making transactions simpler and more accessible to everyone with a bank account.
• Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN): By digitising the tax system, GSTN has streamlined the process, made it transparent, and significantly reduced the time and compliance cost for taxpayers. 
• Smart Cities Mission: Aiming to modernise urban living with technology, it integrates information and communication technology to manage city assets, from traffic management systems to water supply networks.
• National Digital Health Mission (NDHM): Launched to create a seamless online platform for citizens to access and manage their health records, this mission represents a significant step toward a digitised healthcare ecosystem.

Conclusion

While there are challenges, India’s journey towards digital inclusion holds the promise of transforming its socio-economic landscape. With steadfast government initiatives and continued collaborative efforts, the nation is poised to realise the full potential of digital empowerment and inclusivity for all its citizens.

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