Inclusive governance and seamless connectivity – The multifaceted approach behind India’s digital revolution

In the vast expanse of the global technological landscape, India emerges as a trailblazer of digital innovation, taking the lead in transformative initiatives like digital public infrastructure (DPI). India’s APIs (application programming interfaces) like UPI (unified payments interface), Aadhaar, Digi Yatra, ONDC (open network for digital commerce), Bhashini, and e-Sanjeevani, collectively known as India Stack, have not only reshaped the country’s own digital landscape, but have also set a leading example for nations worldwide. At the heart of this digital revolution lies the telecom sector, acting as the backbone for seamless connectivity and data transmission, facilitating the success of these initiatives.

Before diving into the remarkable journey of India Stack, it is crucial to understand what it is – a set of open, interoperable APIs that serve as the digital plumbing for countless innovative services in India. Think of it as a foundation upon which developers can build apps and services that leverage secure digital identity verification (Aadhaar), cashless payments (UPI), seamless travel experiences (Digi Yatra), open e-commerce platforms (ONDC), multilingual content access (Bhashini), and even telemedicine consultations (e-Sanjeevani). These components work together seamlessly, empowering both citizens and businesses with a range of convenient and efficient digital solutions.

A journey of innovation – India’s digital revolution
India’s digital revolution commenced with Aadhaar, a groundbreaking biometric identification system providing each citizen with a unique digital identity, fostering inclusive governance and seamless access to government services. UPI accelerated the shift to a cashless economy, enabling effortless financial transactions via smartphones. In aviation, Digi Yatra’s digital boarding initiative, integrating biometric authentication and digital IDs, garnered global attention and inspired similar worldwide implementations.

The open network for digital commerce (ONDC) revolutionized e-commerce by creating a unified digital marketplace, facilitating seamless transactions and nurturing a thriving digital economy. Additionally, the government introduced Bhashini to address linguistic diversity, empowering content creators to reach wider audiences by translating content into regional languages. Simultaneously, e-Sanjeevani, a telemedicine service accessible via smartphones, promises to revolutionize healthcare in India. Together, these initiatives showcase India’s commitment to digital innovation across diverse sectors, serving as a global inspiration.

The story behind the success
India’s success in DPI initiatives can be attributed to a multifaceted approach that combines innovative technologies, strategic government initiatives, and collaborative efforts across industries. This is remarkable, considering the vast population and the disparate socioeconomic culture the country encompasses. The India Stack underscores the viability of such initiatives and their potential to empower citizens in any country.

The thriving Fintech ecosystem, created by the collaborative efforts of various industries, banks, and the government, has also complemented these initiatives. Another major factor contributing to the success is India’s growing digital economy, powered by over 1150 crore mobile subscribers who access different digital facilities at their fingertips, regardless of their social and educational background.

Telecom – The digital enabler
India Stack’s remarkable journey is intricately linked to the relentless efforts and substantial investments made by telecom operators. The industry has played a pivotal role in expanding fiber optic networks, upgrading towers and embracing next-generation technologies like 5G to meet the escalating demand for data bandwidth and low latency. The entire India Stack ecosystem relies heavily on this robust and ubiquitous telecom network, ensuring real-time data services and connectivity.

The interplay between digital services and the telecom sector highlights the critical role the sector plays in ensuring the success of India Stack’s ambitious projects. The industry’s commitment to bringing affordable internet access to remote and rural areas has played a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide. This effort not only facilitates wider participation in India Stack initiatives, but also empowers citizens in underserved regions. Vernacular language interfaces and content localization platforms like Bhashini leverage telecom networks to reach diverse populations, preserving cultural diversity and ensuring that India Stack services are accessible to every citizen. The overall contribution has been instrumental in fostering financial inclusion and social development, aligning with India’s vision of a digitally inclusive society.

India’s 4G/5G stack – Homegrown powerhouse fuelling connectivity freedom
Further propelling India’s digital revolution is its indigenously developed 4G/5G technology stack. This groundbreaking achievement transcends mere network infrastructure, marking a shift toward self-reliance and unfettered connectivity. Unlike traditional, vendor-locked systems, India’s open-source stack empowers domestic innovation, democratizing access to a robust technological foundation. This fosters a vibrant ecosystem where not just tech giants, but also local startups and entrepreneurs can build applications tailored to India’s unique needs.

This revolutionary spirit extends beyond open architecture. The indigenous stack boasts impressive scalability and adaptability, evolving alongside India’s ever-growing digital demands. From empowering smart cities to bridging the rural-urban divide, it holds the key to equitable internet access for all. Imagine Indian villages transformed by telemedicine powered by this stack, doctors just a tap away across remote terrains. This homegrown innovation empowers not just cities, but rural communities too, ensuring that no corner of India gets left behind in the digital race. As India embraces 5G, its homegrown stack stands ready to unlock transformative applications in healthcare, education, and agriculture, propelling the nation beyond mere connectivity toward a truly digitally empowered future.

India Stack goes global – A blueprint for nations
The global potential of India Stack lies not just in its innovative APIs, but in its underlying principles. Its open, interoperable, and inclusive philosophy offers a blueprint for other nations to build their own digital foundations. India’s success proves that DPI initiatives can flourish even in diverse and complex environments, paving the way for financial inclusion, streamlined governance, and enhanced access to essential services.

While not directly adopting India Stack itself, France has signed an agreement with India to pilot UPI for cross-border payments between tourists from both countries. This demonstrates the potential of individual components within the stack to address specific needs even outside India’s borders. In June 2023, Armenia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India to explore leveraging India Stack components like Aadhaar and UPI for its own digital initiatives. They are particularly interested in Aadhaar’s secure digital identity verification capabilities to streamline access to government services and benefits. Witnessing the success in India, nations like Mauritius and Saudi Arabia are currently in advanced stages of discussions with India for potential adoption of various India Stack elements, highlighting wider interest in the model.

Recently, India Stack has gained widespread global recognition, leading to its adoption by numerous countries. The G20 Summit that concluded last year, served as a major platform, allowing delegates from other nations to gain a first-hand experience of these solutions. India Stack has already received positive response, with early adopters being Antigua, Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Armenia, and Papua New Guinea. Additionally, countries such as France, Saudi Arabia, Japan, the UK, the US, Canada, Russia, and Indonesia have expressed interest in adopting various forms of the stack in the coming months.

India Stack signifies more than just India’s technological prowess; it emerges as an example of how digital infrastructure can revolutionize nations, fostering inclusivity, progress, and unparalleled connectivity.

This article is authored by Lt. Gen. Dr. SP Kochhar, Director General, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). Views expressed are personal.