India's Digital Transformation: Aiming for Global Leadership
Guwahati, July 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that India's digital expansion is among the swiftest globally, with aspirations to position India as a frontrunner in the digital realm.
In a communication from the PMO, Modi noted that in 2014, India had approximately 250 million internet connections, a figure that has surged to over 970 million today. The country has laid down more than 420,000 kilometers of optical fiber cable, which is equivalent to 11 times the distance from the Earth to the Moon, ensuring connectivity even in the most isolated villages.
He also highlighted that India's 5G deployment is one of the fastest worldwide, with 481,000 base stations established in just two years.
High-speed internet is now accessible in urban centers and remote military locations, including Galwan, Siachen, and Ladakh.
India Stack, the nation's digital framework, has facilitated platforms like UPI, which now processes over 100 billion transactions annually. Approximately half of all real-time digital transactions occur in India.
“A decade ago, we embarked on a daring journey into unknown territory with unwavering belief. While many spent years doubting Indians' ability to embrace technology, we shifted this perspective and placed our trust in their capabilities. Instead of viewing technology as a means to widen the gap between the affluent and the underprivileged, we utilized it to bridge that divide,” he stated.
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a groundbreaking platform that creates new opportunities by connecting a vast market of buyers and sellers. The Government E-Marketplace (GeM) allows ordinary citizens to sell products and services to government entities, empowering them with a significant market while also saving costs for the government.
“Consider this scenario: You apply for a Mudra loan online. Your creditworthiness is evaluated through an account aggregator framework. You receive your loan, launch your business, register on GeM, supply to schools and hospitals, and then expand through ONDC.”
Modi further disclosed that India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which includes Aadhaar, CoWIN, DigiLocker, and FASTag, is now being studied and adopted worldwide. CoWIN facilitated the largest vaccination campaign globally, issuing 2.2 billion QR-verifiable certificates. DigiLocker, with 540 million users, securely hosts 7.75 billion documents.
India now ranks among the top three startup ecosystems globally, boasting over 180,000 startups. This movement transcends mere startups; it signifies a technological renaissance. The nation excels in AI skill penetration and talent concentration among its youth.
Through the $1.2 billion India AI Mission, access to 34,000 GPUs is provided at globally unmatched rates of less than $1 per GPU hour, making India not only the most affordable internet economy but also the most cost-effective computing destination.
“India has prioritized a humanity-first approach to AI. The New Delhi Declaration on AI encourages responsible innovation. We are establishing AI Centres of Excellence throughout the country,” PM Modi concluded.