In a significant move, the Union Cabinet has granted its approval for the expansion of the Digital India initiative, allocating a total budget of INR 14,903 Crores for the scheme. The announcement was delivered by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during a press briefing held in New Delhi.
Boosting the Digital Economy and Strengthening IT Ecosystem
Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the expansion of the Digital India initiative is poised to invigorate the homegrown digital economy. This expansion aims to drive enhanced digital access to services and provide crucial support to India’s thriving IT and electronics ecosystem.
Empowering Startups and Establishing AI-Focused Centers of Excellence
As part of the expanded scheme, the government has introduced a series of incentives for startups. A significant portion of the budget will be allocated to bolstering 1,200 startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Moreover, the establishment of three specialized Centres of Excellence (CoEs) focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) for health, agriculture, and sustainable cities is on the agenda.
Advancements in Language Translation and Supercomputing
The revamped initiative will introduce advancements in technology-driven services. Bhashini, the AI-enabled multi-language translation tool, will expand to include all 22 scheduled languages, up from 10. The Cabinet’s approval also deploys nine extra supercomputers, adding to the existing 18 under the National SuperComputing Mission.
Facilitating Digital Access for MSMEs and Skill Development
The Digital India initiative aims to streamline processes and enhance access. It will extend digital document verification via DigiLocker to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and other organizations. This step should simplify validation procedures, possibly enabling small businesses to access credit and government services digitally, without being physically present.
Moreover, the government has laid out ambitious plans for skill development. Around 6.26 Lakh IT professionals slates to undergo upskilling and reskilling through the Future Skills Prime Programme. Additionally, the Information Security & Education Awareness Phase (ISEA) programme will train another 2.65 Lakh individuals in information security.
The Union Cabinet’s endorsement of the expanded Digital India initiative underscores India’s commitment to fostering a technologically empowered future. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the importance of technology and its role in shaping the forthcoming era. Developed nations have shown keen interest in India’s Digital India initiative, reflecting its potential to drive innovation and progress.
