E-governance

Remember standing in a long queue to book a train ticket or get a certificate? Today much of that happens on a phone. Using information and communication technology to provide public services, share information, talk with citizens, take feedback and run offices better is called e-governance.

It makes governance more transparent, easier to reach, more convenient and faster. It cuts paperwork, and people can get services without visiting government offices. In a country as large as India, it helps services reach people across long distances.

Some e-governance services the book asks you to explore:

• UMANG: one app for many government services;
• Aadhaar: a unique identity number for each resident;
• GeM (Government e-Marketplace): an online market where government offices buy what they need, openly;
• DigiLocker: a safe online locker for documents like marksheets;
• CPGRAMS: an online system to file and track complaints about public services;
• APAAR: a digital ID that keeps a student's academic records.

Think of everyday tasks: getting a birth certificate, downloading an admit card, storing marksheets, receiving a salary, booking tickets, registering a vehicle. Many once meant queues and repeated visits; now many can be done online.

But technology alone is not enough. E-governance works only when people have devices, reliable internet and the skills to use them. So the government must make sure digital services stay inclusive: open to everyone, including those who are poor, old, or live where the signal is weak.