The Digital India initiative, launched in 2015, marked a significant step in India’s post-reform development trajectory. Which of the following is NOT a pillar of the Digital India initiative?​

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) Privatisation of Internet Services.

• Option A: Governance and Services on Demand is a key pillar of the Digital India initiative. It aims to make government services available electronically, ensuring that citizens can access them easily and efficiently.

• Option B: Privatisation of Internet Services is NOT a pillar of the Digital India initiative. In fact, Digital India focuses on enhancing internet accessibility and infrastructure across the country, rather than focusing on privatization. It aims to provide affordable and reliable internet services to all citizens through initiatives like BharatNet and other government-driven infrastructure projects.

• Option C: Digital Infrastructure as a Utility to Every Citizen is one of the core components of Digital India. The initiative aims to create robust digital infrastructure that can be accessed by every citizen, helping in the digital transformation of India.

• Option D: Digital Empowerment of Citizens is another central pillar of the Digital India initiative. It aims to equip citizens with the skills and knowledge to access and use digital technologies effectively, thus bridging the digital divide.

Information Booster:

• The Digital India initiative was launched by the Government of India in 2015 to enhance online infrastructure, increase internet connectivity, and improve online services in the country.

• The BharatNet project, under Digital India, aims to provide broadband connectivity to all gram panchayats across India, enabling e-governance and online education.

• The initiative is aligned with the government's vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

• Other important components include e-Governance, e-Kranti, and e-Education, which help in digital inclusion and government service delivery.

Additional Information:

• The Digital India programme is also linked with the Make in India campaign to encourage local production of electronics and digital products.

• National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN), under the BharatNet project, is being implemented to provide high-speed internet to rural areas, further supporting the Digital India goals.