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Digital Public Infrastructure: Aadhaar, UPI and Laggards

7 May 20251 min read
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYDigital PublicInfrastructure:Aadhaar, UPI andLaggards7 May 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Commentary praised India’s lead in digital public infrastructure but pointed to laggards.

Key facts

  • Aadhaar and UPI underpin eKYC, eSign, DigiLocker, easing banking, telecom, tax and documents.
  • PM-WANI: TRAI idea (2015-16), Cabinet nod December 2020; could narrow the student digital divide, yet under-implemented.
  • eRUPI: launched 2 August 2021; benefit-specific vouchers inside UPI; slow uptake.
  • ABDM: September 2021; digital health records; private sector resists data sharing.

Why delays

  • Bureaucratic inertia, regulatory hesitation and weak urgency.

Exam angle

  • eRUPI date: 2 August 2021.

Test yourself

1. Which body first conceptualised PM-WANI public Wi-Fi access in 2015-16?

PM-WANI was conceptualised by TRAI and got Cabinet approval in December 2020.

2. On which date was eRUPI launched?

eRUPI was launched on 2 August 2021.

3. Which of these is built on Aadhaar, according to the notes on India's DPI?

eKYC, eSign and DigiLocker are built on Aadhaar.