MAINS Current Affairs includes The Digital India & Mobilising Green Capital For Developing Economies

GOVERNANCE

1. The Digital India

Context: The Digital India Programme completes 11 years (1 July 2026).

• It has transformed governance through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), digital inclusion, and technology-led service delivery.

India’s Digital Leadership

• Digital India has become the backbone of India’s digital economy and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
• India leads the world in real-time digital payments, with UPI accounting for nearly 49% of global transactions.
• The digital economy contributes 12–14% of GDP and is expected to reach around 20% over the next decade.
• During its G20 Presidency (2023), India launched:
• India Stack Global
• Global DPI Repository
• As of February 2026, India has signed MoUs with 24 countries for cooperation in digital identity, payments and governance.

What are the Nine Pillars of Digital India?

1. Broadband Highways

• Expanding high-speed broadband connectivity across the country.
• Broadband subscribers crossed 58 crore (March 2026).
• Enables digital governance, e-commerce and online services.

2. Universal Mobile Connectivity

• Extending telecom connectivity to rural and remote areas.
• Under BharatNet, around 15 lakh Gram Panchayats (97%) connected through nearly 7 lakh km of optical fibre.

3. Public Internet Access Programme

• Provides affordable digital access through:
• 5 lakh+ Common Service Centres (CSCs).
• 6 lakh Post Offices.
• Delivers government services closer to citizens.

4. e-Governance

• Simplifies governance through paperless and integrated systems.
• Major platforms:
• National Single Sign-On.
• Improves transparency, efficiency and ease of living.

5. e-Kranti (Electronic Delivery of Services)

• Digital delivery of public services.
• Major platforms:
• e-Hospital.
• e-Sanjeevani.
• e-Courts.
• Enhances accessibility to healthcare, justice and public services.

6. Information for All

• Promotes transparency and citizen participation.
• Key initiatives:
  • Open Government Data Platform.
  • Encourages open governance and public engagement.

7. Electronics Manufacturing

• Electronics production increased from ₹1.9 lakh crore (2014-15) to ₹12 lakh crore (2026).
• India is now the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer.
• Strengthens domestic manufacturing and exports.

8. IT for Jobs

• Expands employment opportunities in IT and emerging technologies.
• IT & ITeS industry generated USD 283 billion revenue (FY25).
• 2,100+ Global Capability Centres (GCCs) employ nearly 26 lakh professionals.

9. Early Harvest Programmes

Quick-impact initiatives include:

• Biometric attendance.
• Secure government email.
• Public Wi-Fi.
• SMS weather alerts.
• Digital communication platforms.

Flagship Initiatives That Powered an Inclusive Decade

• JAM Trinity:The Foundation of Digital India has revolutionised financial inclusion and welfare delivery in India. It brought millions into the formal banking system and enabled seamless access to government services.
• DigiLocker:DigiLocker is replacing physical documents with a secure digital wallet, and transforming document storage and verification across India.
• As of March 2026, the platform has registered over 69  croreusers and issued more than 850+ Cr documents.
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI): Completing ten years in 2026, UPI is transforming digital payments through instant and secure transactions for citizens and businesses.
• UPI’s global footprint now extends to nine countries,with Cambodia becoming the latest to adopt it.
• Digital Platforms Powering Public Health:
  • The Online Registration System (ORS) enables patients to book appointments digitally while reducing queues and paperwork. The cloud-based eHospital platform is digitising hospital operations, while eBloodBank is improving blood availability and management across healthcare institutions.
  • eSanjeevani: The telemedicine platform is connecting patients with doctors remotely, especially in rural and underserved regions.
  • Tele MANASprovides free tele-counselling and mental health support nationwide.
• Empowering Commerce Through Technology:
  • Government e-Marketplace (GeM)has transformed public procurement by making it transparent, efficient and paperless.
  • Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)is creating an open and interoperable digital commerce ecosystem that connects buyers and sellers across platforms.
• AgriStack: Empowering Farmers Through Technology
  • Developed under the Digital Agriculture Mission, AgriStack is a farmer-centric DPI powering services such as e-NAM for online agricultural tradingand Kisan e-Mitra, an AI-powered chatbot providing instant farming information and government scheme support.
• Digital Platforms Driving Educational Access: 
  • DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing)is transforming school education through curriculum-linked digital learning resources and teacher training.
  • SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) and SWAYAM Prabhaare expanding access to quality education beyond classrooms.
• Powering India’s Digital Workforce:
  • PMGDISHAbridged the rural digital divide by training citizens in smartphone usage, internet access, digital payments and online services.
  • FutureSkills Primeis preparing learners for emerging technologies such as AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and data analytics.
  • Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH)is a unified platform for skilling, certification and employment services.
  • IndiaAI Missionis strengthening AI education, infrastructure and responsible AI adoption.

Way Ahead

• Strengthen digital infrastructure:Complete universal broadband connectivity, particularly in remote and Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas.
• Bridge the digital divide:Enhance digital literacy programmes to ensure that rural populations, women, senior citizens, and other vulnerable groups are not excluded from the digital economy.
• Boost manufacturing ecosystem:Strengthen domestic value addition through the Semiconductor Mission, encourage research and development, and integrate India more deeply into global technology supply chains.

Conclusion

• The Digital India Programme has transformed governance, financial inclusion and public service delivery through Digital Public Infrastructure. Going forward, strengthening digital connectivity, cybersecurity, semiconductor manufacturing, AI capabilities and digital inclusion will be critical for achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat and making India a global digital leader.

ENVIRONMENT

2. Mobilising Green Capital For Developing Economies

Context: The Green Transition Board has begun its work, emphasizing that the global climate agenda must now focus on mobilising finance and implementing green transition, rather than merely setting climate targets.

About Green Transition

• It is a shift from carbon-intensive economic systems to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and sustainable development model.
• It seeks to transform energy, industry, transport and agriculture along with ensuring economic growth and social inclusion.

Need for Green Transition

1. Climate Change Mitigation

• Fossil fuels contribute nearly 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• Essential to limit global warming to 5°C under the Paris Agreement.
• Supports achievement of Net Zero targets.

2. Energy Security

• Reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels.
• Protects economies from:
• Oil price volatility.
• Geopolitical disruptions.
• Promotes energy self-reliance through renewable sources.

3. Sustainable Economic Growth

• Creates green jobs in:
  • Solar and wind energy.
  • Electric Vehicles (EVs).
  • Battery manufacturing.
  • Green Hydrogen.
  • Supports green industrialisation and innovation.

4. Public Health Benefits

• Cleaner energy reduces air pollution.
• Lowers healthcare expenditure.
• Improves quality of life and productivity.

5. Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Supports several SDGs, including:
  • SDG 7 – Affordable & Clean Energy.
  • SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities.
  • SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption.
  • SDG 13 – Climate Action.

Current State of the Green Transition in India

• India has succeeded in exceeding more than 50% of the share of installed electricity capacity based on non-fossil fuel sources ahead of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) deadlines.
• Capacity in renewable energy (including large hydro) has reached more than 230 GW.
• The ambitions of India include:
• 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030;
• 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030;
• Net zero emissions by 2070;
• 2,500 GW capacity in clean energy by 2047.
• New Areas:The fast growth in solar and wind energy generation; scaling up of the production of green hydrogen; the increase in electric mobility and battery storage; and development of rooftop solar energy under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.
• India is set to achieve net-zero much before 2070, given the availability of proper finance and technology.

Issues and Concerns in Green Transition

1. Climate Finance Gap

• Developing countries lack affordable long-term finance.
• Existing climate finance commitments remain inadequate.

2. Limited Private Investment

• High investment risks discourage private capital.
• Many renewable projects are not financially bankable.

3. Need for Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Reforms

• MDBs have limited lending capacity.
• Need:
• Greater concessional finance.
• Faster approvals.
• Better representation of developing countries.

4. Technology Transfer Barriers

• High costs.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) restrictions.
• Limited access to advanced green technologies.

5. Grid & Storage Constraints

• Renewable energy integration requires:
• Smart grids.
• Transmission infrastructure.
• Battery storage.
• Modern power systems.

6. Just Transition Challenge

• Coal-dependent regions may face:
• Job losses.
• Economic disruption.
• Requires rehabilitation and reskilling of workers.

7. Critical Mineral Dependency

• Green technologies require:
  • Rare earth elements.
  • Heavy import dependence creates supply-chain risks.

Related Global Initiatives/Programs

• Paris Agreement (2015):The goal is to restrict global temperature increase to well below 2°C and preferably to 1.5°C.
• Conferences of the Parties (under UNFCCC): It guides the actions of the world in the climate field; COP30 (Brazil) will focus on implementation and climate finance.
• UN Sustainable Development Goal 7:It provides access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
• Global Stocktake:It evaluates the collective progress on achieving Paris Agreement objectives.
• Loss and Damage Fund: It helps the most vulnerable developing countries in dealing with climate impacts.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA):A global initiative led by India and France.

India’s Initiatives and Efforts

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Missions on solar energy, energy efficiency and sustainable habitats.
• Green Hydrogen Mission: The goal is to transform India into a global producer and exporter of green hydrogen.
• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:It encourages the adoption of rooftop solar energy in households.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:The scheme stimulates domestic manufacturing of solar modules and advanced chemistry cells.
• FAME Scheme:It supports adoption of electric vehicles.
• Biofuel Policy:The policy promotes ethanol blending and alternative fuels.
• Sovereign Green Bonds:They finance the construction of green infrastructure projects.

Way Forward: Strengthening Green Transition

• Make reforms to MDBs for expanding concessional climate finance and de-risking investments.
• Develop innovative financial instruments, such as blended finance and green bonds.
• Invest in grid infrastructure, energy storage and transmission grids.
• Encourage international cooperation for technology transfer and capacity building.
• Implement just transition through skill building, social protection and regional diversification.
• Increase domestic manufacturing of renewable energy technologies and processing of critical minerals.
• Improve project preparation to turn climate commitments into bankable investments.
• Foster South-South cooperation among emerging economies to learn best practices.

Conclusion

The Green Transition Board marks India’s shift from climate commitments to climate implementation. Achieving India’s Net Zero 2070 target will require adequate climate finance, technology transfer, MDB reforms, private investment, domestic manufacturing and a just transition. Mobilising green capital effectively will not only accelerate sustainable development in India but also provide a model for other developing economies.

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