Digilocker

DigiLocker is a digital service started in 2015 by the Indian government's Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology. It is a digital locker which lets Indian citizens safely keep and use important documents online. DigiLocker's main features are verifiable, safe online storage, quick access to documents, and an easy way to share them. It uses new technology for extra security, making it an important part of India's move towards Digital Public Infrastructure.

Physical documents can be lost or inaccessible in times of need e.g. you are not carrying your driving license when stopped by the police. This can lead to a lot of hassle for the individual and also government entities. Indian Government’s Digital India Campaign tries to resolve this issue by using technology.

DigiLocker, part of the Digital India initiative by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY), is a digital platform for securely storing and accessing authentic documents. Launched in 2015, it is a step towards a digitally empowered society. At the end of 2023, 800 million documents of 80 million people were stored on DigiLocker.

1. Aims to minimize physical document usage, ensuring the authenticity of e-documents and reducing the prevalence of fake documents. Helps in streamlining application submissions and verification processes.
2. Offers a personal health records (PHR) application and is integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). It includes vaccination details, doctor's prescriptions, lab reports, and hospital stay summaries.
3. Facilitates digital empowerment by providing access to important documents anytime, anywhere.

1. Citizens: People use DigiLocker by linking it with their Aadhaar number.
2. Issuers: Organizations, like government offices or private companies, that put digital copies of documents on DigiLocker.
3. Requestors: Groups or offices that ask to see specific documents from DigiLocker for verification or other purposes.

1. Legal Status: Documents in DigiLocker are equivalent to original physical documents. Amendments were brought in IT Act, 2000 to accept digilocker documents as proof.
2. Storage: Provides 10 MB of free personal storage, expandable to 1 GB. Includes documents like Aadhar, PAN, Academic Degrees and Certificates, Vaccination record, Insurance documents etc.
3. Accessibility: Available through web portals and mobile apps, in 12 Indian languages. Improved eKYC process, multiple authentication options, and voice accessibility features for visually impaired users.
4. Security: Adheres to stringent data security protocols and encryption standards. Incorporates QR code-based verification and blockchain technology for enhanced security.
5. Privacy: Complete user control over document visibility and sharing permissions.
6. Integration: Expanded to include more government and private issuers, educational institutions, insurance companies, and financial institutions.
7. Paperless Government: The Indian government's "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" plan aims to make things smoother for citizens by ensuring i) Cashless ii) Paperless and iii) Paperless operations. DigiLocker plays a key role in the "paperless layer,"
8. Open Source Software: DigiLocker was created through open-source software like PHP, Python, and ownCloud. This means the code is freely available, letting anyone inspect, modify, and even improve it. This translates to lower costs, no dependence on single vendors, and the flexibility to adapt to local needs. It also inspires confidence in the people and allows independent verification by anyone.
9. Digital Public Infrastructure: India's digital public infrastructure (DPI) refers to a network of interconnected digital platforms and tools designed to provide essential services and capabilities to citizens, businesses, and government agencies. Its aim of citizen empowerment and government efficiency through digitization is championed by Digilocker.

Digilocker allows citizens to get authentic documents/certificates in digital form directly from the original issuer of the certificate. It represents a major stride in India’s journey towards digital empowerment, offering a secure and convenient platform for document storage and access. DigiLocker's value has been proven in times of crisis. During the Kerala floods, the IT department quickly issued digital certificates to affected citizens, a testament to its usefulness in emergency situations. Continues to evolve, addressing challenges like the digital divide and ensuring user privacy for widespread adoption.