DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
WHAT IS DPI?
- It is a digital network that enables countries to safely and efficiently deliver economic opportunities and social services to the residents.
- DPI as a digital infrastructure can be compared to roads, which form a physical network that connects people and provides access to a huge range of goods and services.
- It allows people to open bank accounts and receive wages faster and more easily.
- It allows governments to support citizens more quickly and efficiently, especially during emergencies.
DPI is an ever evolving concept, but there is growing consensus on it being a combination of
- networked open technology standards built for public interest,
- enabling governance,
- a community of innovative and competitive market players working to drive innovation, especially across public programmes.
BENEFITS OF DPI :
- Within the DPI the three core systems—identity, payments, and data exchange—exist simultaneously.
- Individuals benefit from DPI because they can safely and cheaply receive wages, pay bills, access services, and conduct transactions, whatever their position in society and wherever they live.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, countries with DPI can speedily and securely help their citizens by delivering emergency payments to those in need.
- It also reduces inequality by making it easier for the public and private sectors to expand banking, credit, and payment services.
INDIA’S DPI:
- India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized the digital payments and it is poised to have a significant impact on the rest of the world too.
- The Jan Dhan programme has benefited over 508 million people and mobilised over $2 billion since its inception.
- Examples of India’s DPI include India’s Aadhaar for digital identity verification, and platforms like India’s UPI for financial transactions.
- The impact of DPI is substantial, with verified credentials and fast digital payments aiding MSME growth.
- In FY 2023, a remarkable $750 million was disbursed, with about half benefiting the MSME sector.
- The growth is significant, with 9.43 million accounts linked, demonstrating DPI’s extensive influence beyond just numbers.