E-Governance and Direct Benefit Transfer – UPSC GS-2 Mains Quick Revision
1. Concept & Constitutional Linkage
E-Governance
refers to the use of ICT (Information & Communication Technology) for enhancing government-citizen interaction, service delivery, and internal efficiency. It enables transparency, accountability, and participatory governance, aligning with Right to Information (Article 19) and Right to Equality (Article 14).
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is a governance innovation where government subsidies/welfare entitlements are directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, eliminating leakages and intermediaries.
Origin: Rooted in NeGP (2006) and DBT initiative (2013); further scaled under Digital India Mission (2015) and JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile).
2. Core Features & Functions
E-Governance:
G2C Services: Online delivery of services (e.g., DigiLocker, UMANG, e-Shram)
G2G Efficiency: Digital file management and workflow (e.g., e-Office, e-Vidhan)
Citizen Participation: Portals like MyGov, National Grievance Redressal Platform
Transparency Tools: RTI portal, e-procurement (GeM), dashboard monitoring (e-SamikSha)
DBT:
Targeted Transfers: LPG subsidy (PAHAL), PM-KISAN, PM Awas Yojana, etc.
Real-Time Transfers: Enabled through PFMS, Aadhaar seeding, and banking infrastructure
Reduced Leakages: Plugging ghost beneficiaries (e.g., ~4 crore bogus ration cards cancelled since 2014)
Empowerment of Marginalised: Especially women, through account ownership
3. Importance in Governance
Service Efficiency: Time-bound, paperless, and scalable delivery (e.g., e-District portals)
Social Justice: DBT ensures that the poorest get their due directly, without middlemen
Fiscal Prudence: Saves government expenditure (e.g., over ₹2.7 lakh crore saved via DBT till 2024)
Digital Inclusion: Enables rural-urban parity in access (e.g., CSCs in remote India)
Crisis Resilience: DBT ensured quick relief during COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., PM Garib Kalyan Yojana)
4. Challenges & Limitations
Digital Divide: Access and literacy issues (e.g., rural women, tribals)
Authentication Failures: Aadhaar-based biometric mismatches leading to exclusion
Infrastructure Gaps: Connectivity issues in Aspirational Districts
Grievance Redressal: Weak follow-up mechanisms post-service failure
Privacy Concerns: Potential data misuse and lack of strong data protection laws
5. Reform Recommendations
2nd ARC: Integration of backend processes, citizen service centres, and inter-operability
Justice Srikrishna Committee (2018): Data protection legislation
World Bank DBT Review: Need for grievance audits and beneficiary-centric design
NITI Aayog: Recommended strengthening Aadhaar seeding, real-time dashboards, AI-based fraud detection
CAG Reports: Emphasized Aadhaar inclusion errors and audit of beneficiary databases
6. Government & Institutional Initiatives
Digital India Programme (2015): 9 pillars including e-Kranti, digital infrastructure
DBT Mission under Cabinet Secretariat: Monitors implementation across 400+ schemes
BharatNet & PM-WANI: Enhancing rural digital connectivity
Meri Pehchaan Portal (2022): Unified digital identity framework
IndiaStack & UPI: Backend innovation enabling seamless transactions (e.g., ONDC pilots)
7. UPSC PYQ Linkages
2020: “Implementation of e-governance is not just about technology but about transforming the way government functions.”
2019: “DBT has significantly contributed to improving governance. Evaluate.”
2015: “E-Governance is the next big lever for public service delivery in India.”
8. Quotes for Value Addition
“Digital governance bridges the gap between hope and delivery.” – Narendra Modi
“DBT is not just a transfer, it is trust on the beneficiary.” – Nandan Nilekani
“Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master.” – Christian Lous Lange
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