Digital Governance
Science & Technology
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
A key aspect of modern governance, relevant to administrative reforms, public service delivery, and the challenges of technology adoption in a diverse country. The Census provides a large-scale case study.
Digital Governance refers to the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) to deliver government services, exchange information, communicate transactions, and integrate various stand-alone systems and services. It aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public administration.
Facts & tables
- Census 2027 Example
- Census 2027 is India’s first fully digital Census.
- Technology Use
- Utilizes mobile apps for data collection and real-time monitoring via CMMS portal.
- Citizen Engagement
- Enables self-enumeration by residents.
- Challenges
- Faces challenges like digital divide, connectivity issues, app performance, and data integrity concerns.
| Benefits | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Real-time data monitoring | Digital divide and connectivity issues |
| Increased efficiency | App crashes and performance issues |
| Self-enumeration option | Data integrity concerns (editing data) |
| Reduced paperwork | Enumerator safety and training needs |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Indian Polity & Governance |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) | Promotes |
| Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) | Implements |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Policy measures
- Application of ICT for government services and administration.
- Census 2027: India's first fully digital Census, using mobile apps and CMMS.
- Aims for efficiency, transparency, and real-time data monitoring.
- Challenges: digital divide, connectivity, app functionality, data integrity.
- Key to modernizing public service delivery and governance.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2017 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Indian Polity & Governance
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2017
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
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Prelims 2019
Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
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Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Census 2027: The pressures of counting India
Digital Governance leverages ICT for efficient and transparent public service delivery. The Census 2027 exemplifies this with its fully digital approach, using apps for data collection and real-time monitoring, while also highlighting persistent challenges like the digital divide and operational issues.
See also
Past papers
2017–2026 · 8 questions
In the news
Census 2027: The pressures of counting India
Digital Governance leverages ICT for efficient and transparent public service delivery. The Census 2027 exemplifies this with its fully digital approach, using apps for data collection and real-time monitoring, while also highlighting persistent challenges like the digital divide and operational issues.
Try these PYQs
Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India?
1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did.
2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our school, public places and major tourist centres
Select the correct answer using the code given below
* Statement 1 is not correct: The formation of India’s own internet companies, similar to China’s approach, is not an aim of the Digital India programme. The initiative focuses on creating digital infrastructure, providing digital services, and promoting digital literacy — not establishing government-backed internet firms. * Statement 2 is not correct: The Digital India plan does not include any policy framework to attract foreign multinational corporations to build data centres in India. While data localisation and data centre policies have emerged later under different frameworks, they are not part of the original Digital India objectives. * Statement 3 is correct: One of the key aims of Digital India is to connect villages through broadband and to provide Wi-Fi access in schools, public places, and tourist centres. This is part of its core pillars like Broadband Highways, Public Internet Access Programme, and Early Harvest Programmes.
Consider the following statements with reference to the Sagarmala Programme of the Government of India :
I. The Sagarmala Programme seeks to achieve port-led economic growth through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure.
II. The success of the Sagarmala Programme is reflected in significant growth in coastal and inland waterway shipping, along with improved global port rankings.
III. Sagarmala 2.0 aims to position India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047 visions.
Which of the following relationships among the above statements is/are correct ?
1. Statement II validates the effectiveness of the strategies envisioned in statement I.
2. Statement III extends the objectives of statement I by embedding them into a future-oriented innovation framework.
3. Statement I contradicts statement III by focusing only on traditional infrastructure instead of modern innovation.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Relationship 1 is Correct: Statement I outlines the core objective of the Sagarmala Programme, launched in 2015, which is port-led economic development through cost-effective and sustainable coastal infrastructure. Statement II provides empirical evidence of its success, such as the 118% growth in coastal shipping, a 700% surge in inland waterway cargo movement, and improved global port rankings (with nine Indian ports now in the global top 100). Thus, the tangible achievements in Statement II directly validate the effectiveness of the foundational strategies mentioned in Statement I. Relationship 2 is Correct: Statement III highlights the goals of Sagarmala 2.0, which focuses on smart ports, green shipping, and positioning India as a global maritime innovation hub aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat visions. This acts as an evolutionary extension of the foundational infrastructure goals in Statement I, embedding them into a broader, future-oriented innovation framework rather than replacing them. Relationship 3 is Incorrect: Statement I does not contradict Statement III. The initial focus on traditional and sustainable coastal infrastructure in the original Sagarmala Programme serves as the necessary physical base upon which the modern innovation and technology-driven goals of Sagarmala 2.0 are built. The two phases are complementary and represent a progressive policy evolution, not a contradiction. Therefore, relationships 1 and 2 are correct, making Option B the correct choice.
"3D printing" has applications in which of the following?
1. Preparation of confectionery items
2. Manufacture of bionic ears
3. Automotive industry
4. Reconstructive surgeries
5. Data processing technologies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file. It is used in a wide range of industries and has various applications. It can be used to create intricate and customized shapes in confectionery items like chocolates, candies, and other desserts. It has been used to create customized bionic ears for people with hearing impairments. It is used in the automotive industry for rapid prototyping, manufacturing of customized parts, and even some production of vehicle components. It is used in reconstructive surgeries to create patient-specific implants, prosthetics, and surgical guides. It can be used to create specialized components and parts for data processing technologies, such as computer hardware. Therefore, all the five statements are correct.
In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents?
1. Service providers
2. Data centres
3. Body corporate
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
In India, section 70-B of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (the IT Act) gives the Central Government the power to appoint an agency of the government to be called the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team. Further, it is legally mandatory for service providers, data centres and body corporates to report on cybersecurity incidents as outlined in the Information Technology (The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team and Manner of Performing Functions and Duties) Rules, 2013, which were notified under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)?
1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G.
2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is incorrect: LTE is actually marketed as 4G, not 3G. VoLTE is not marketed as advanced 3G, but rather as an advancement over 4G LTE, allowing for voice calls over the 4G network. Statement 2 is incorrect: LTE does primarily focus on providing high-speed data services, but it's not a data-only technology. VoLTE, on the other hand, is not a voice-only technology. It allows for voice calls to be made over the 4G LTE network, but it doesn't exclude data services. Therefore, both statements are incorrect.
Show 3 more PYQs
Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?
1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits.
2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Statement 1 is Correct: The National Quantum Mission (NQM) aims to develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 to 1000 physical qubits within 8 years. Specifically, it targets 50–100 physical qubits in 5 years and scales up to 50–1000 physical qubits in 8 years using platforms like superconducting and photonic technology. Statement 2 is Correct: The implementation of the mission explicitly includes the establishment of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in top academic and national R&D institutes across India. These hubs focus on distinct technology verticals: Quantum Computing (led by IISc Bengaluru), Quantum Communication (led by IIT Madras), Quantum Sensing & Metrology (led by IIT Bombay), and Quantum Materials & Devices (led by IIT Delhi). Therefore, both statements are correct.
Which of the following statements about DHRUV64 is/are correct ?
1. It is the third chip fabricated under the DIR-V Programme with an overall aim to enable the creation of microprocessors for India.
2. It is India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Correct: DHRUV64 is the third chip to be fabricated under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme. The first chip was THEJAS32 and the second was THEJAS64. The DIR-V programme aims to create a complete portfolio of future-ready, indigenous RISC-V-based microprocessors to reduce India's dependence on imported chips and foreign intellectual property. Statement 2 is Correct: Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), DHRUV64 is officially recognized as India's first homegrown 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor. It is built on the open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture, which eliminates proprietary licensing fees and ensures technological sovereignty. Therefore, both statements are correct.
In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used?
1. Mobile phone operations
2. Banking operations
3. Controlling the power grids
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based navigation system that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth. It has a wide range of applications. Statement 1 is correct. GPS is used in mobile phones for various purposes such as location tracking, navigation, and location-based services. Statement 2 is correct. GPS is used in banking operations for ATM location services and for time-stamping transactions, which is crucial for maintaining accurate records. Statement 3 is correct. GPS is used for time-stamping power system measurements, which is vital for grid stability and synchronization. Therefore, GPS technology can be used in all the three areas mentioned.