Digital Public Infrastructure

Public infrastructure has long been the bedrock of societal progress, enhancing connectivity, mobility, and economic growth. However, the limitations of traditional infrastructure have led to the evolution of a new era in public services: the era of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). DPI is a transformative concept that incorporates open and democratic principles to foster digital inclusion and empowerment. This article delves into the fundamentals of DPI, its significance, and its pioneering implementation in India.

Understanding Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

Digital Public Infrastructure, or DPI, refers to a network of platforms and frameworks designed to provide essential services to citizens through digital means. These platforms, often organized as blocks, encompass crucial elements such as digital identification, payment infrastructure, and data exchange solutions. By facilitating the flow of people, money, and information, DPI empowers citizens, enhances convenience, and nurtures digital inclusion.

The Three Pillars of DPI

DPI’s strength lies in its three core pillars, each playing a pivotal role in the ecosystem:

• Digital Identity (Aadhaar): At the heart of DPI is the concept of digital identity. In India, the Aadhaar system has redefined how citizens interact with public services. With strategic implications for social inclusion, fiscal management, and streamlined governance, Aadhaar serves as a powerful tool. Citizens can voluntarily use their Aadhaar for private sector purposes, diminishing the need for special permissions.
• Real-time Fast Payment System (UPI): Facilitating the seamless flow of money, the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) is a triumph of DPI. UPI’s staggering volume of transactions, exceeding eight billion per month, underscores its impact. By contributing around 65% of India’s annual GDP, UPI has transformed digital transactions and promoted financial inclusion.
• Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA): Ensuring control and consent over personal information is the cornerstone of DPI’s third pillar. DEPA enables citizens to share their data on their terms through third-party entities known as Consent Managers. This consent-based data sharing system empowers individuals while fostering responsible data utilization.

India’s Leadership in DPI Implementation

India’s strides in DPI implementation are remarkable, anchored by its India Stack initiative. India Stack is a suite of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that empowers governments, businesses, startups, and developers to address complex challenges in service delivery. This unique digital infrastructure unlocks the economic potentials of identity, data, and payments at scale. Notably, India Stack’s impact isn’t confined to one nation; its principles can be replicated worldwide, catering to both developed and emerging economies.

Pillars of India’s DPI Ecosystem

Several key elements form the pillars of India’s DPI ecosystem:

• DigiYatra: Enhancing travel experiences, DigiYatra leverages facial recognition for biometric-enabled seamless travel. As India witnesses substantial air passenger traffic, the system’s implementation has streamlined airport operations and improved passenger convenience.
• DigiLocker: With an impressive user base of 150 million and over six billion stored documents, DigiLocker has revolutionized document management. The platform’s budget-friendly creation, with just INR 50 crore over seven years, underscores its efficiency and impact on digitizing documents.

Championing Sustainable Digital Infrastructure

To realize the full potential of DPI, several strategies are imperative:

• Independent Steward Institutions: Establishing multiparty governance mechanisms ensures accountability across various stakeholders. This decentralization of control fosters trust and confidence in DPI, paving the way for effective implementation.
• Global Standards Advocacy: India’s leadership role should extend to advocating global standards for DPI through multilateral dialogues. Tailoring standards to emerging economies prevents dominance by technology giants and promotes equitable technology adoption.
• Sustainable Financing Models: To ensure the longevity of DPI initiatives, sustainable financing models must be developed. Relying solely on philanthropic funding risks creating competition and positioning, jeopardizing the overarching goals of inclusion and empowerment.
• A New Playbook for Digital Infrastructure: Nations must adopt a new playbook for digital infrastructure, one that prioritizes the seamless flow of people, money, and information. Such an approach facilitates citizen empowerment and rapid platform development while mitigating concerns of exclusion or misuse.

The advent of Digital Public Infrastructure marks a transformative chapter in public service delivery. By weaving together digital identity, real-time payments, and responsible data sharing, DPI empowers citizens and fosters digital inclusion. India’s pioneering efforts in the realm of DPI through India Stack serve as an inspiration for the global community. As nations grapple with the challenges and opportunities of the digital age, embracing the principles of DPI can catalyze societal progress, empowering individuals and reshaping the landscape of public infrastructure.