PM Modi hails ‘Digital India’ for bridging social divide, unlocking opportunities for millions across nation
by Utsav RoyPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasized that the ‘Digital India’ initiative, launched ten years ago, has effectively narrowed the digital gap between privileged and underprivileged communities, turning into a nationwide people’s movement.
In a LinkedIn post, he reflected on how earlier decades were marked by skepticism regarding citizens’ ability to adopt technology. His government, however, chose to believe in the technological potential of every Indian. Modi stated that technology was used to bridge the divide between the privileged and the marginalized.
He wrote, “When the intention is genuine, innovation uplifts those with limited means. When inclusivity is prioritized, technology transforms lives at the margins. This philosophy inspired Digital India, a mission aimed at democratizing access, expanding digital infrastructure, and unlocking equal opportunity.”
Back in 2014, India had about 25 crore internet users. Today, that number has surged to over 97 crore. More than 42 lakh kilometers of optical fiber cable now connect even the remotest parts of the country, a distance equivalent to 11 times the stretch between Earth and the Moon.
India’s 5G deployment is among the fastest globally, with nearly 4.81 lakh base stations established in just two years. High-speed internet now powers both urban centers and forward military areas such as Galwan, Siachen, and Ladakh.
Modi pointed out that in 2014, internet access was sparse, digital literacy was low, and access to government services online was rare. Many doubted that a country as vast and diverse as India could embrace digital transformation.
“Today, this doubt has been dispelled not just through data or dashboards, but through real-life change experienced by 140 crore citizens. Whether it’s governance, education, commerce, or innovation, Digital India touches every sphere of life,” he added.
Looking back, he described the initiative as a bold and visionary step into unknown territory. A decade later, it has revolutionized lives and ushered in a new era of empowerment.
India’s digital payments landscape has evolved dramatically, thanks to collective public participation. The ‘India Stack’, the nation’s digital backbone, has enabled platforms like UPI, which now processes over 100 billion transactions annually. Nearly half of all global real-time digital transactions now take place in India.
Through the ‘Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)’ system, more than ₹44 lakh crore has been deposited directly into citizens’ accounts, eliminating middlemen and preventing losses worth ₹3.48 lakh crore. Initiatives such as ‘SVAMITVA’ have issued over 2.4 crore property cards and mapped 6.47 lakh villages, resolving longstanding land disputes.
He highlighted how India’s digital economy is empowering MSMEs and small businesses. The ‘Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)’ has created new avenues for entrepreneurs by providing direct access to a wide consumer base.
Through the ‘Government e-Marketplace (GeM)’, individuals can now sell their goods and services directly to government entities, expanding market reach while also saving public funds.
“Imagine applying for a ‘Mudra’ loan online, having your creditworthiness assessed via the Account Aggregator framework, receiving funds, registering on ‘GeM’, supplying to schools or hospitals, then scaling via ONDC,” he explained.
ONDC recently surpassed 200 million transactions, with the last 100 million completed within six months. Sellers across the country, from Banarasi weavers to bamboo artisans in Nagaland, are reaching customers without intermediaries or digital monopolies.
GeM also hit a milestone of ₹1 lakh crore in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) within 50 days. The platform now has 22 lakh registered sellers, including over 1.8 lakh women-led MSMEs, which have collectively fulfilled orders worth ₹46,000 crore.
Modi emphasized that India’s digital public infrastructure is now gaining global recognition. Key platforms like ‘Aadhaar’, ‘CoWIN’, ‘DigiLocker’, ‘FASTag’, ‘PM-WANI’, and ‘One Nation One Subscription’ are being studied and adopted internationally.
During its G20 Presidency, India introduced the ‘Global DPI Repository’ and a $25 million Social Impact Fund to assist nations across Africa and South Asia in developing inclusive digital ecosystems.
India now boasts one of the world’s top three startup ecosystems, with more than 1.8 lakh startups. But according to Modi, this is not just a startup boom — it’s a technological renaissance.
India is excelling in ‘AI skill development’ and ‘AI talent availability’ among its youth. Under the $1.2 billion ‘India AI Mission’, the government has made 34,000 GPUs available at globally unmatched rates, less than ₹1 per GPU hour, positioning India as the world’s most affordable digital and computational economy.
He stressed that India is promoting ‘human-centric AI’, with the ‘New Delhi Declaration on AI’ fostering innovation with responsibility. Multiple ‘AI Centres of Excellence’ are being established across the country.
Looking ahead, Modi said the coming decade will be even more transformative — marking a shift from digital governance to ‘global digital leadership’, and from ‘India-first to India-for-the-world.’
He concluded that ‘Digital India’ has evolved beyond a government initiative into a grassroots movement, playing a central role in building ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and positioning India as a global innovation leader.
“To all innovators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers, the world is watching India for its next digital revolution,” he wrote.
“Let us create to empower, innovate to solve real challenges, and lead with technology that unites, includes, and uplifts all.”