GS-3Editorials31 July 2026thehindu.com

The next DPI — how India can commoditise AI

India has established a unique and globally leading Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) stack, integrating Aadhaar, UPI, and DEPA/Account Aggregator. This integrated approach, rather than individual components, is India's distinct strength. The availability of cheap data has brought 500 million people online, significantly boosting India's digital economy, payment volumes, and direct-benefit transfers. Aadhaar has streamlined identity verification, and UPI has made digital payments virtually free and widespread. The article posits that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be the next frontier for India to commoditise as a public digital infrastructure.

India has established a unique and globally leading Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) stack, integrating Aadhaar, UPI, and DEPA/Account Aggregator. This integrated approach, rather than individual components, is India's distinct strength. The availability of cheap data has brought 500 million people online, significantly boosting India's digital economy, payment volumes, and direct-benefit transfers. Aadhaar has streamlined identity verification, and UPI has made digital payments virtually free and widespread. The article posits that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be the next frontier for India to commoditise as a public digital infrastructure.

Exam linkage

GS Paper III: Indian Economy (Digital economy, financial inclusion, government initiatives), Science & Technology (Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, digital infrastructure).

Syllabus mapping

Indian EconomyScience & TechnologyDigital Financial InfrastructureEmerging Information TechnologiesIndian Culture Art ArchitectureSocial Empowerment CommunalismGovernance Transparency AccountabilityIndian Economy Planning GrowthInfrastructure

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