As India accelerates its digital transformation, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, and citizen-centric innovation are driving a new era of governance and public service delivery. At the forefront of this journey, the Digital India Corporation (DIC) is building future-ready digital platforms and enabling technology-led, inclusive governance. In an exclusive interaction, Shri Akhil Kumar, IPS, Managing Director & CEO, Digital India Corporation (DIC), MEITY, Government of India, speaks with Nijhum Rudra of Elets News Network (ENN) about the next phase of Digital India, the growing role of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Public Infrastructure, and Uttar Pradesh’s potential to emerge as a national model for technology-driven governance. Edited excerpts.
Having served in policing and administration before leading Digital India Corporation, how has your journey shaped your vision for Digital India and citizen-centric governance?
Having served in Uttar Pradesh in policing and administration, I learnt that governance is ultimately judged by the citizen’s experience. Technology, therefore, must simplify lives rather than merely automate processes.
At Digital India Corporation, this philosophy translates into building trusted, inclusive and secure Digital Public Infrastructure. Platforms such as DigiLocker, UMANG, APAAR, Academic Bank of Credits, National Academic Depository, Poshan Tracker, DIKSHA, LokOS and MANAS are not isolated applications; together they represent a new governance architecture.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consistently articulated the vision that technology should empower every citizen and make governance transparent, efficient and inclusive. The Digital India Programme embodies that vision. Our endeavour at DIC is to convert that vision into practical, scalable solutions reaching every village, every institution and every citizen.
Digital India has evolved significantly over the past decade. What do you see as the next phase of this transformation, and how is DIC preparing the country for it?
India has moved beyond digitisation towards Digital Public Infrastructure. The next phase is intelligent, interoperable governance powered by AI, trusted data exchange, cybersecurity and consent-based citizen services.
The Hon’ble Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, has repeatedly emphasised that India should become both a trusted technology nation and a product nation. DIC contributes to this objective by building reusable digital
platforms, supporting innovation, strengthening startup ecosystems, promoting indigenous technologies and enabling governments to adopt emerging technologies responsibly.
Our aspiration is that every school, Panchayat, hospital, CSC, municipality and district office becomes part of one connected digital ecosystem.
As India moves towards AI-driven governance, how is Digital India Corporation balancing emerging technologies with capacity building, cybersecurity and digital trust?
Artificial Intelligence is the next transformative opportunity after Digital Public Infrastructure. DIC is supporting AI through awareness, innovation, startups, capacity building and responsible adoption across governance. AI can improve agriculture, healthcare, education, policing, grievance redressal and social protection while remaining ethical, transparent and citizen-centric.
At the same time, digital transformation succeeds only when institutions develop digital capability. DIC works extensively with ministries, states and premier academic institutions to build leadership in Digital Public Infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI, project management, data governance and emerging technologies.
As governance becomes increasingly digital, trust becomes foundational. Every platform must be secure by design, privacy by design, and interoperable by design. DIC works closely with governments to strengthen cybersecurity, resilience and responsible data governance so that citizens can confidently embrace digital services.
Uttar Pradesh is emerging as one of India’s leading digital economies.What opportunities do you see for the State in advancing the Digital India vision?
With nearly one-sixth of India’s population, Uttar Pradesh offers unmatched scale for digital innovation. The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath has consistently emphasised technology-enabled, transparent and accountable governance. That vision aligns naturally with Digital India’s objectives.
We believe Uttar Pradesh can become India’s largest Digital Governance Innovation Lab. Successful models implemented here can become national benchmarks and eventually global digital public goods, particularly for countries of the Global South.
Digital India Corporation has developed several purpose-driven platforms across education, governance and citizen services. What is the philosophy behind this integrated digital ecosystem?
Different sectors require different digital interventions, but they are unified by common principles: openness, interoperability, scalability, and inclusion. Whether supporting women, students, farmers, artisans, youth, or local governments, every DIC platform aims to create measurable social impact.
Education remains central to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Through DIKSHA, APAAR, Academic Bank of Credits, National Academic Depository and the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme, DIC is building a lifelong digital learning ecosystem aligned with the National Education Policy and preparing India’s youth for the digital economy.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for Digital India Corporation and India’s digital transformation journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047?
Success for Digital India Corporation will not be measured by the number of applications developed but by the trust citizens place in digital governance and the improvement in their quality of life.
As India progresses towards Viksit Bharat 2047, Digital Public Infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence, trusted digital ecosystems, innovation and digital capacity building will redefine governance. DIC will continue to work with the Government of India, State Governments, industry, academia and startups to make India the global leader in inclusive digital transformation.
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Uttar Pradesh possesses the leadership, administrative capacity and scale to demonstrate what Digital India at full maturity can achieve. If digital governance succeeds in Uttar Pradesh, it can inspire transformation across India and beyond.