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Q84 (IAS/2016) Polity & Governance › Governance, Policies & Social Justice › Digital governance initiatives Official Key

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. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is option C because both statements are correct.

DigiLocker was launched on July 1, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Digital India program.[1] Digital Locker is one of the key initiatives under the Digital India initiative[2], confirming that statement 1 is correct.

Statement 2 is also correct as DigiLocker enables citizens to store and share documents online securely, whenever needed, with various authorities, regulators, banks and other business entities.[3] The very nature of an online digital repository means that users can access their stored e-documents from anywhere with internet connectivity, irrespective of their physical location.

DigiLocker functions as a digital repository that, along with other digital public goods, has supported financial inclusion by improving access to formal financial services and reducing transaction costs.[4] Therefore, both statements 1 and 2 are correct, making option C the right answer.

Sources
  1. [1] https://negd.gov.in/blog/digilocker-the-digital-briefcase-for-indias-authentic-e-documents/
  2. [2] https://tribal.nic.in/downloads/faqs/DigiLocker-User-Manual.pdf
  3. [3] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 4. Unleashing the potential > p. 447
  4. [4] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 15.2 Economic Survey 2022-23 > p. 450
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
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got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Regarding 'DigiLocker', sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a digital locker system o…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 5/10 · 5/10

This is a classic 'Flagship Scheme' question. In 2016, DigiLocker was a headline launch (July 2015). The strategy is simple: For every new portal/app, memorize the Parent Mission (Digital India) and the Core Functional Benefit (Cloud Access). Don't overthink technicalities; focus on the user utility.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is DigiLocker a digital locker system offered by the Government of India under the Digital India programme?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"DigiLocker was launched on July 1, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Digital India program."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states DigiLocker was launched under the Digital India program.
  • Attributes launch to the Prime Minister, indicating a government initiative.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Digital Locker, one of the key initiatives under the Digital India initiative,"
Why this source?
  • Describes Digital Locker as a key initiative under the Digital India initiative.
  • Links the service to a government department (Department of Electronics and Information Technology).

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Digital India: a Step Forward in e-Governance > p. 778
Strength: 5/5
“One of the basic aims of the Modi government was to encourage electronic governance. Considering the importance of reducing the paperwork involved in the public - government interface and thereby lowering the corruption levels, the Modi government launched the Digital India campaign within three months of taking office, in August 2014. The success of several socio-economic and governance programmes, existing as well as intended to be launched, depended upon the efficacy of Digital India. The idea was to electronically empower the Indian citizen and the economy. The programme was designed to get all government departments and the people of India to connect with each other digitally or electronically, so that governance could be improved.”
Why relevant

Explains the Digital India campaign's purpose to electronically empower citizens and to get government departments and people to connect digitally—establishing that the programme houses e‑governance initiatives.

How to extend

A student could use this to expect that services reducing paperwork (like a digital locker) would be logical components of the Digital India portfolio and then check official lists of Digital India services.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 15.2 Economic Survey 2022-23 > p. 450
Strength: 4/5
“8. Digital Public Infrastructure: Besides the push to physical infrastructure, the government's emphasis on developing public digital infrastructure during the last few years has been a game changer in enhancing the economic potential of individuals and businesses. With its strong forward linkages to the non-digital sectors, digitalization strengthens potential economic growth through various channels such as higher financial inclusion, greater formalization, increased efficiencies and enhanced opportunities. Based on the pillars of a digital identity Aadhar, linking bank accounts with PM-Jan Dhan Yojana, and the penetration of mobile phones (JAM Trinity), the country has witnessed significant progress in financial inclusion in recent years.”
Why relevant

Describes 'Digital Public Infrastructure' built on pillars (e.g., Aadhaar, JAM) and notes substantial government emphasis on digital infrastructure for inclusion and service delivery.

How to extend

One could infer Digital India supports reusable public digital platforms (e.g., identity, document access) and then look for a government 'digital locker' as part of that infrastructure.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 15: Infrastructure > National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) > p. 462
Strength: 3/5
“• It was launched in 2011 to provide broadband connectivity. It was later renamed BharatNet in 2015.• It is the first pillar of Digital India programme being implemented in a phased manner for providing broadband connectivity to all the 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country.”
Why relevant

Identifies National Optical Fibre Network (BharatNet) as the first pillar of the Digital India programme, showing the programme includes named infrastructural projects.

How to extend

From naming and grouping of projects under 'Digital India', a student might search for other named 'Digital India' projects (including services like a digital locker) in official programme documents.

Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 10: Land Reforms in India > DIGITAL INDIA LAND RECORDS MODERNISATION PROGRAMME (DILRMP) > p. 352
Strength: 4/5
“• Centrally Sponsored Schemes viz. Computerisation of Land Records (CLR) and Strengthening of Revenue Administration and Updating of Land Records (SRA&ULR) were merged into a modified Scheme named Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) which was launched in 2008.• It seeks to improve the quality and accessibility of land records in the country and move × towards guaranteed titles”
Why relevant

Gives an example of a scheme explicitly titled 'Digital India ...' (Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme), demonstrating the practice of branding government digital initiatives under the Digital India label.

How to extend

This pattern supports checking whether 'DigiLocker' follows the same naming/branding convention and is listed among Digital India initiatives.

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > Some initiatives of Govt. of India for Skilling: > p. 241
Strength: 3/5
“The portal will map details of workers based on regions and local industry demands.• DigiSaksham: It is a digital skills programme to enhance the employability of youth by imparting digital skills that are required in an increasingly technology driven era. It is a joint initiative of Ministry of Labour with Microsoft India and is an extension of the Government's ongoing programs to support the youth from rural and semi-urban areas.”
Why relevant

Mentions 'DigiSaksham'—a government digital programme—showing the use of the 'Digi' prefix for government digital schemes aimed at citizens.

How to extend

A student could reason that 'DigiLocker' might similarly be a government 'Digi*' service and then verify its association with Digital India on official portals.

Statement 2
Does DigiLocker allow users to access their e-documents irrespective of their physical location?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 15.2 Economic Survey 2022-23 > p. 450
Presence: 4/5
“Numerous digital public goods such as digital verification (e-KYC), digital signature, digital repositories (Digilocker), and digital payments (UPI) have supported financial inclusion by improving access to formal financial services and reducing transaction costs. Greater financial inclusion and access to credit incentivize higher consumption and investment, leading to higher economic growth. Unified digital interfaces that connect various initiatives/portals have simplified governance resulting in a more efficient resource allocation in the economy. 9. Trust Based Governance: Building trust between the government and the citizens/businesses unleashes efficiency gains through improved investor sentiment, better ease of doing business, and more effective governance.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names Digilocker as a digital repository that improved access to services
  • Association of Digilocker with improved access implies remote/electronic accessibility
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 4. Unleashing the potential > p. 447
Presence: 4/5
“This will be towards storing and sharing documents online securely, whenever needed, with various authorities, regulators, banks and other business entities.”
Why this source?
  • Describes storing and sharing documents online securely 'whenever needed', implying availability on demand
  • Online storage/sharing supports access independent of a single physical repository
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 15: Infrastructure > Public Wi-Fi Hotspots > p. 463
Presence: 2/5
“• Public Wi-Fi hotspots ensure last-mile delivery of broadband to users and are much easier ò to scale than adding new mobile towers. It bolsters connectivity inside buildings, airports, etc., and it allows for offloading from telecom networks to ease congestion.• Wi-Fi networks offer affordable, scalable and versatile technologies that can facilitate the ۰ spread of Internet access in rural and urban areas.• Till August 2019, more than 463 public Wi-Fi hotspots were operational across India.”
Why this source?
  • Highlights public Wi‑Fi hotspots and broader internet connectivity that enable last‑mile access
  • Connectivity context supports the practical ability to access online documents from varied locations
Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves 'Digital Public Infrastructure' (DPI). The pattern is consistent: Statement 1 usually links the tool to a Parent Mission/Ministry (Administrative provenance), and Statement 2 describes a generic functional advantage (Technological provenance). If the tech is 'Cloud-based', 'Location Independence' is its definition, not a trick.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. This was a major headline in 2015-16 Current Affairs. If you read the newspaper, you knew this.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: e-Governance initiatives under the 'Digital India' umbrella.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Map the Digital India ecosystem: UMANG (Unified App), BHIM (UPI Interface), e-Sign (Digital Signature), e-Hospital (ORS), SWAYAM (Education), and MyGov (Citizen Engagement). Know the parent ministry for each.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When studying tech schemes, apply the 'User Manual' test. Ask: 'What does this allow a citizen to do that they couldn't do before?' (Answer: Access docs remotely). If the statement describes the core utility of the technology (Cloud = Remote Access), it is almost certainly correct.
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Digital India — objectives and launch
💡 The insight

The statement asks whether a service (DigiLocker) is under Digital India; several references describe the Digital India campaign, its aims and launch.

Understanding the origin, aims and scope of Digital India is high-yield for UPSC as many service-oriented schemes (e-governance, digital identity, portals) are framed under it. Mastering this concept helps answer questions linking specific services to policy frameworks. Prepare by mapping major initiatives to the Digital India programme and learning official objectives and timeline.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Digital India: a Step Forward in e-Governance > p. 778
🔗 Anchor: "Is DigiLocker a digital locker system offered by the Government of India under t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Digital public infrastructure and the JAM Trinity (Aadhaar, Jan Dhan, Mobile)
💡 The insight

The state support for digital services often rests on public digital infrastructure; references reference Aadhaar and the JAM-related digital infrastructure underpinning delivery of services.

JAM and digital public infrastructure are repeatedly tested (financial inclusion, service delivery, privacy/security debates). Knowing these pillars helps evaluate whether a service logically fits under national digital frameworks. Study connections between identity, payments, and mobile penetration and practice case-based questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 15.2 Economic Survey 2022-23 > p. 450
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Disbanding Planning Commission and Setting up NITI Aayog > p. 780
🔗 Anchor: "Is DigiLocker a digital locker system offered by the Government of India under t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Key Digital India components and schemes (connectivity, records, digital skills)
💡 The insight

Several references list concrete components labelled as part of Digital India (BharatNet, DILRMP, digital skills programs), which is relevant when classifying whether a specific digital service belongs to the programme.

UPSC often asks to identify or classify schemes under broader programmes. Familiarity with representative pillars (connectivity, land records modernisation, skilling) aids quick elimination in MCQs and supports analytical answers. Compile a categorized list of flagship schemes and pillars and revise through revision notes and past papers.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 15: Infrastructure > National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) > p. 462
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 10: Land Reforms in India > DIGITAL INDIA LAND RECORDS MODERNISATION PROGRAMME (DILRMP) > p. 352
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 7: Indian Economy after 2014 > Some initiatives of Govt. of India for Skilling: > p. 241
🔗 Anchor: "Is DigiLocker a digital locker system offered by the Government of India under t..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Digital repositories and e-document access
💡 The insight

Digilocker is explicitly cited as a digital repository that improves access to documents and services.

Understanding what digital repositories do is high‑yield for questions on e‑governance and service delivery; it links to topics like digital identity, document verification, and online public goods. Prepare by mapping repository functions (store/share/verify) and examples (e.g., Digilocker) to policy outcomes.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 15.2 Economic Survey 2022-23 > p. 450
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 4. Unleashing the potential > p. 447
🔗 Anchor: "Does DigiLocker allow users to access their e-documents irrespective of their ph..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Internet connectivity as an enabler of digital access
💡 The insight

Public Wi‑Fi and broadband are noted as mechanisms that enable access to online resources such as e‑documents.

Connectivity is frequently tested alongside digital governance—knowing how access depends on network infrastructure helps answer questions on digital divide and implementation challenges. Study infrastructure-policy linkages and case examples (Wi‑Fi, mobile broadband).

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 15: Infrastructure > Public Wi-Fi Hotspots > p. 463
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 4. Unleashing the potential > p. 447
🔗 Anchor: "Does DigiLocker allow users to access their e-documents irrespective of their ph..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Digital public goods and financial inclusion
💡 The insight

Digilocker is listed among digital public goods (with e‑KYC, UPI) that support access to services and inclusion.

This concept is useful for questions on how digital tools affect inclusion and governance; it connects technology, finance, and social policy. Focus on categorizing digital public goods, their impacts, and cross-sector examples.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 15.2 Economic Survey 2022-23 > p. 450
  • Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 15: Budget and Economic Survey > 4. Unleashing the potential > p. 447
🔗 Anchor: "Does DigiLocker allow users to access their e-documents irrespective of their ph..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The legal backbone: Documents in DigiLocker are deemed to be at par with original physical documents under Rule 9A of the Information Technology (Preservation and Retention of Information by Intermediaries Providing Digital Locker Facilities) Rules, 2016. This legal validity is the next logical question.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply the 'Definition of Tech' heuristic. Statement 2 says 'irrespective of physical location.' This is the fundamental definition of the Internet/Cloud. Unless a service is explicitly geo-fenced (like a local intranet), digital services are by nature location-agnostic. Therefore, Statement 2 must be true.

🔗 Mains Connection

Connect this to GS-2 (Governance): DigiLocker reduces 'administrative friction' and corruption by removing physical touchpoints. Connect to GS-3 (Cyber Security): Centralized repositories create 'Honeypot' risks for data breaches, necessitating the Data Protection Act.

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

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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. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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