Free Courses Sale ends Soon, Get It Now


DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE(DPI)

Last Updated on 22nd October, 2024
8 minutes, 14 seconds

Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement is not intended.

Context: 

Through its G20 presidency, India promoted the idea of Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) as an important instrument to enhance the pace of economic development.

Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI)

They are a set of digital ecosystems which enables countries to provide economic opportunities and deliver social services with safety and efficiency.

DPI covers the entire economy which connects people, data, and capital in the similar way that roads and railways connect people and goods.

Foundational basis of DPI

The foundational basis of DPI includes:

Digital Identification Systems(DIS): Schemes like Aadhaar provide a unique digital identity for  citizens that encompass DIS.

Payment Infrastructure: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India for secure and efficient digital payments is one such example.

Data Exchange Solutions: They are the frameworks which enable secure and standardised exchange of data among different entities.

Data Infrastructure: They are the Systems for storing, managing, and sharing data in a secure manner, to ensure data sovereignty and privacy. Ex.Digilocker.

Cybersecurity Frameworks: These are the measures and protocols that protect digital assets and personal information from cyber-related offences. Ex. Information Security Management System (ISMS).

What are ISMS? 

An information security management system (ISMS) is a set of policies and principles for systematic management of an organization's sensitive data.

The goal of an ISMS is to minimise risk and ensure business continuity by proactively limiting the impact of a security breach.

Broadband and Connectivity: They include the infrastructures to ensure widespread and equitable access to high-speed internet across regions in India.

Categories of DPI

Foundational DPIs: They are initiatives designed to establish resilient digital frameworks, which encompass the areas of digital identity systems, payment infrastructures, data exchange platforms, etc.

Examples: Aadhaar, Unified Payment Interface and Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA).

Sectoral DPIs: They are the DPIs which provide specialised services designed to meet the needs of specific sectors. For instance the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission for the health sector.

Features of DPI

Accessibility

Inclusive Design: DPI is designed in an inclusive way considering the needs of various users, such as those in remote or rural areas, persons with disabilities, and users with little digital literacy.

User-Friendly Interfaces: DPI platforms are designed with user-friendly interfaces with clear navigation and design principles to accommodate all users.

Localization: Services in multiple languages and dialects are one of its features to cater to diverse linguistic communities and to ensure access to digital services to non-English-speaking populations.

Security

Encryption: To ensure secrecy and prevent unwanted access, DPI employs cutting-edge encryption to protect user data both during transmission and storage.

Authentication: By verifying user identities, multi-factor authentication and robust identity verification improve security.

Frequent Audits: Frequent vulnerability assessments and security audits assist find and fix possible flaws, which lowers the chance of data breaches.

Compliance: DPI complies with stringent data protection laws and guarantees that user information is protected following the law.

Interoperability

Standardised Protocols: To ensure interoperability across multiple systems, DPI makes use of standardized data formats and communication protocols.

APIs: APIs facilitate effective data flow across systems by enabling smooth interaction with third-party services.

Scalability

Flexible Infrastructure: DPI's flexible infrastructure adjusts to changing demands and maintains responsiveness during user activity spikes.

Cloud-Based Solutions: Cloud computing allows for dynamic resource allocation and provides scalability based on current needs.

Reliability

Disaster Recovery: DPIs may contain Robust disaster recovery plans to minimise the impact of unforeseen events.

Service-Level Agreements (SLAs): SLAs define uptime guarantees, instilling user confidence in the infrastructure's reliability.

A service-level agreement (SLA) is an agreement between a service provider and a customer where different aspects of the service such as quality, availability, and responsibilities are agreed upon between the service provider and the service user

Examples of Digital Payment Infrastructures from India include:

  • Aadhaar
  • Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
  • Digital Locker (DigiLocker)
  • Digital India
  • e-Governance
  • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)
  • Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BharatNet)
  • National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)
  • SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds)
  • Digital Payments Mission

Important articles for reference

Digital agriculture mission 

Sources:

INDIAN EXPRESS

UNDP

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI): 

  1. They are the systems and principles which connect people, data, and capital.
  2. Digital Identification Systems(DIS) is one of the foundations of DPI.

Which of the above  statements are correct? 

A)1 only

B)2 only

C) Both 1 and 2 

D)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: 

Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) is a set of digital ecosystems which enables countries to provide economic opportunities and deliver social services with safety and efficiency.

DPI covers the entire economy which connects people, data, and capital in the similar way that roads and railways connect people and goods.

Statement 2 is correct: 

Foundational basis of DPI

  • The foundational basis of DPI includes:
      • Digital Identification Systems(DIS): Schemes like Aadhaar provide a unique digital identity for citizens that encompasses DIS.
      • Payment Infrastructure: Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India for secure and efficient digital payments is one such example.
      • Data Exchange Solutions: They are the frameworks which enable secure and standardised exchange of data among different entities.
      • Data Infrastructure: They are the Systems for storing, managing, and sharing data in a secure manner, to ensure data sovereignty and privacy. Ex.Digilocker.

Cybersecurity Frameworks: These are the measures and protocols that protect digital assets and personal information from cyber-related offences. Ex. Information Security Management System (ISMS).

DPI is designed in an inclusive way considering the needs of various users, such as those in remote or rural areas, persons with disabilities, and users with little digital literacy.

Examples of Digital Payment Infrastructures from India include:

  • Aadhaar
  • Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
  • Digital Locker (DigiLocker)
  • Digital India
  • e-Governance
  • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)
  • Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BharatNet)
  • National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)
  • SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds)
  • Digital Payments Mission

Free access to e-paper and WhatsApp updates

Let's Get In Touch!