Indian govt to build a unified portal for all digital public goods: Report

The Indian government is set to create a unified portal that will compile all digital public goods (DPGs) such as Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) into a single accessible location, according to an ET report.

The initiative, primarily coordinated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, aims to streamline access to various government services, enhancing both user experience and operational transparency.

Why is there a need for such a portal?

The report mentioned that the existing system requires users to navigate through multiple platforms and services to access different government offerings.

By consolidating this information into a single portal, the government hopes to simplify the process, making it easier for users to find and utilize services, the report said.

“A single portal will at least unify all this information along with the steps to access the service," an official told the publication.

What will the portal entail?

The portal will not only list active services but also those under development. This inclusion aims to foster collaboration, allowing application developers and software engineers to build on the existing digital public infrastructure (DPI).

The portal is expected to detail the tasks each DPI performs, the number of users, the technology used (noting if it's based on open protocols), and any specific requirements needed to access these services. Presently, nearly 60 DPGs have been developed at various levels across the country.

How does this benefit businesses and developers?

By centralizing DPI information, the portal will serve as a critical tool for both multinational companies and local developers.

Companies looking to integrate or leverage government digital infrastructure for business operations will find easier access and clear guidelines through the portal. For developers, particularly those interested in contributing to or expanding upon government digital services, this platform provides a unique opportunity for innovation and development.

Expected impact of this initiative?

With the global market size of DPGs projected to reach approximately $100 billion in the next five to six years, the creation of this portal is timely. It not only aims to support the widespread adoption and reach of DPGs but also ensures they are developed cost-effectively. The success of this initiative could position India at the forefront of digital public infrastructure, benefiting millions of users and influencing digital governance worldwide.