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Digital Governance

Science & Technology

  • PYQs10
  • Articles2
I

Background

UPSC emphasizes the role of technology in governance, its potential to transform public service delivery, address corruption, and foster inclusive development. It's a key aspect of administrative reforms and good governance.

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.

II

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.
Core Principle
Application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in governance.
Key Objectives
Enhances efficiency, transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.
Examples
Includes online portals, mobile applications, and digital payment systems.
Impact
Crucial for improving citizen-centric service delivery and administrative reforms.
Digital Governance in Census 2027
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
Static syllabus anchors
Type Reference
Conceptual area Indian Polity & Governance
Conceptual area Emerging Information Technologies
Institutions & roles
Body Role
Ministry of Minority Affairs Implements
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Promotes
Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI) Implements
III

Prelims angle

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

  • 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.
High-confidence PYQ links
Year Framing tags
2026 Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
2026 Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
2026 Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
2019 Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis
2018 Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
2018 Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
2018 Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
2017 Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
2017 Statement-based questions, Policy measures
2016 Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Timeline

  1. Indian Polity & Governance

    Conceptual area

  2. Emerging Information Technologies

    Conceptual area

  3. Prelims 2016

    Statement-based questions, Factual recall

  4. Prelims 2017

    Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

  5. Prelims 2017

    Statement-based questions, Policy measures

  6. Prelims 2018

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  7. Prelims 2018

    Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

  8. Prelims 2018

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  9. Prelims 2019

    Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

  10. Prelims 2026

    Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

  11. Prelims 2026

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  12. Prelims 2026

    Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

  13. 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.

  14. Government Enhances Digital Governance and Pilgrim Welfare for Haj 2026

    Government's use of digital technologies and reforms to enhance public service delivery, exemplified by initiatives to improve the management and welfare services for Haj pilgrims, aiming for efficiency and transparency.

See also

Past papers

In the news

thehindu.com

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

UPSC Prelims 2018 medium Social Issues & Schemes Open full page

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

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UPSC Prelims 2026 medium Economy Open full page

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.

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UPSC Prelims 2019 medium Science & Technology Open full page

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.

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UPSC Prelims 2016 easy Science & Technology Open full page

Regarding ‘DigiLocker’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme.
2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location.

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UPSC Prelims 2026 hard Science & Technology Open full page

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.

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Show 5 more PYQs
UPSC Prelims 2026 medium Science & Technology Open full page

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.

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UPSC Prelims 2018 easy Science & Technology Open full page

In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used?
1. Mobile phone operations
2. Banking operations
3. Controlling the power grids

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UPSC Prelims 2017 hard Science & Technology Open full page

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

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UPSC Prelims 2017 easy Science & Technology Open full page

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Smart India Hackathon 2017?

1. It is a centrally sponsored scheme for developing every city of our country into Smart Cities in a decade.
2. It is an initiative to identify new digital technology innovations for solving the many problems faced by our country.
3. It is a programme aimed at making all the financial transactions in our country completely digital in a decade.

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UPSC Prelims 2018 medium Science & Technology Open full page

"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

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