10 years of digital India: PM Modi says initiative bridged divide, empowered millions, ushered in new era

India marked the 10th anniversary of the Digital India initiative, launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance governance and public service delivery through technology. The programme has expanded access to internet connectivity, promoted digital transactions, and enabled the growth of digital infrastructure across the country.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “A decade later, we stand witness to a journey that has touched countless lives and ushered in a new era of empowerment. India has made many strides in digital payments, powered by the collective resolve of 140 crore Indians.” He also said India is moving “from digital governance to global digital leadership, from India-first to India-for-the-world.”

According to official data, internet connections in India have grown from 25 crore in 2014 to over 97 crore in 2024. India now has over 1.16 billion mobile connections, with nearly 2 million new wireless subscriptions added in May alone. The country has also completed the rollout of over 42 lakh kilometres of optical fibre under BharatNet, boosting rural and remote connectivity.

The Digital India initiative has supported the rapid adoption of digital payments, with India now accounting for 50% of global real-time digital transactions. India is also among the world’s fastest in 5G deployment, with 5G services covering 95% of the population. Mobile data in India costs less than ₹10 per GB, compared to ₹32 in China and ₹151 in South Africa.

More than 780 million Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) have been created, forming the backbone of India’s digital health ecosystem. In digital commerce, over 7 lakh sellers have joined the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) within two years, including kirana shops, artisans, and small businesses.