DIGITAL INDIA: HOW FAR WE'VE REALLY COME?

A closer look at India's digital journey

- Aadithya Harish

Back in 2015, the Indian government launched the Digital India initiative with a bold promise to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

The goals were clear: improve online infrastructure, boost internet connectivity, bring government services online, and bridge the digital divide.

Fast forward to today, and the digital landscape of India looks unrecognizably different. We've gone from long queues outside government offices to accessing services with a few taps on our phones. But how far have we really come? Let's break it down.

WHAT'S WORKING – THE DIGITAL WINS

Internet for All (Almost): India now has over 880 million internet users, making it the second-largest online market globally. Thanks to affordable data (hello, Jio revolution!) and smartphone penetration, even rural areas are getting digitally connected.