The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has implemented several landmark policy reforms and technological initiatives in 2024, reinforcing India’s position as a leader in digital governance and innovation. These efforts, aimed at enhancing governance, fostering innovation, and empowering citizens, represent significant strides in the country’s digital transformation journey.
In a bid to improve security standards across the country, MeitY introduced an update to CCTV camera regulations in October 2024. The updated Comprehensive Regulatory Order (CRO) mandates that all CCTV cameras manufactured or sold in India meet stringent security standards. These include requirements for physical security, access control, network encryption, and penetration testing, with the objective of enhancing the quality and cybersecurity of surveillance systems.
Additionally, in a significant move under the Information Technology Act, 2000, MeitY notified forensic science laboratories as official examiners of electronic evidence. This move, made possible by Section 79A of the IT Act, empowers expert agencies to provide opinions on electronic evidence in legal proceedings. Currently, 15 forensic labs are recognized, with others undergoing evaluation.
MeitY’s Cyber Surakshit Bharat initiative is another key effort to enhance India’s cybersecurity framework. Through this initiative, the Ministry is bolstering the capabilities of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and IT officials across government departments. Noteworthy training programs such as the CISO Deep-Dive Training Programme, held in April and September 2024, have trained over 250 participants. Furthermore, a specialized Cybersecurity Workshop in Kerala in November 2024 focused on training over 100 state officials to improve cyber defense measures.
Aiming to empower traders and citizens, MeitY has facilitated welfare camps in collaboration with CSC e-Governance Services and CAIT. These camps provide access to vital social security schemes such as the National Pension System (NPS) and Pradhan Mantri SVANidhi. With nearly 6 lakh Common Service Centers (CSCs) across India, these camps help bridge the gap between rural communities and government services.
MeitY also focused on capacity building, particularly through a program on AI and machine learning (ML) applications. In partnership with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Vishakhapatnam, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) has trained government officers on implementing AI responsibly, while maintaining data privacy, security, and transparency in governance.
India’s digital infrastructure has seen remarkable growth, with MeitY driving the country’s digital revolution. The National Data Centres (NDC), located in cities like Delhi, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad, are crucial in supporting the growing demand for cloud services. These centres, with storage capacity exceeding 100PB, provide cloud services to government ministries and state departments, ensuring data security and service continuity. A new Tier-III NDC in Guwahati is under development, aimed at bridging the digital divide in India’s Northeastern region.
The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has been instrumental in this transformation, with its National Cloud Services project providing cloud-based solutions for over 300 government departments. The MeghRaj initiative is central to this, as it facilitates the optimal use of IT infrastructure and accelerates the deployment of e-Government applications, from digital payments to consent-based data sharing.
MeitY’s focus on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) continues to empower citizens through innovative services. Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and DIKSHA are key pillars of the country’s digital ecosystem. As of mid-2024, over 138 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated, and 556.37 crore learning sessions have been completed through DIKSHA, the world’s largest education platform. The government has also facilitated 24,100 crore financial transactions through UPI, driving financial inclusion across India.
Platforms like UMANG, which offers 2,077 government services, and MeriPehchaan, which processes over 132 crore transactions through National Single Sign-On (SSO), are simplifying access to public services. The e-Sign service has issued 81.97 crore e-signatures, providing citizens with a legally accepted alternative to physical signatures. API Setu, another key initiative, facilitates seamless data exchange across government systems, supporting over 312 crore transactions.
The Common Services Centers (CSCs), which number over 5.84 lakh, have been pivotal in extending government services to rural areas. At the gram panchayat level, 4.63 lakh CSCs have been actively delivering more than 800 services, ranging from education and financial services to telemedicine and government schemes.
Looking forward, MeitY plans to continue shaping India’s digital future through several key initiatives. The government is focused on developing a robust semiconductor ecosystem, with plans to make India a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing through the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Alongside this, MeitY is committed to advancing AI development under the IndiaAI Mission, which will allocate substantial resources to AI research, infrastructure, and applications in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education.
Further plans include expanding digital public infrastructure by enhancing platforms like Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker, as well as strengthening cybersecurity efforts to safeguard the nation’s digital assets. With these initiatives, MeitY aims to ensure that India remains at the forefront of global digital transformation, empowering citizens and driving economic growth.
