India Digital Future How DPIs Are Driving“Techade”
In the bustling corridors of New Delhi, a quiet revolution is unfolding—one that promises to reshape how India interacts with technology, government, and commerce. At the 3rd FE Digital Bharat Economy Conclave 2025, experts, policymakers, and industry leaders gathered to explore a vision for a digitally empowered India. At the heart of this vision lies Digital Public Infrastructure, or DPI, a concept that is not just transforming services but also laying the foundation for what many are calling India’s “techade”—a decade of technological empowerment and inclusion.
Digital Public Infrastructure is much more than just a buzzword. It represents a layered, interconnected ecosystem of digital tools and platforms that simplify, secure, and scale interactions between citizens, businesses, and government services. From the ubiquitous Aadhaar digital identity program to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), DPI is increasingly becoming the backbone of India’s economic and social transformation. These platforms are not only enabling faster, safer, and more inclusive transactions but also inspiring innovations that span the public and private sectors.
Speaking at the conclave, Saransh Agrawal, Chief of Staff at ONDC, highlighted the transformative power of digital platforms in democratizing access to commerce. “What DPI stands for has to be very simple. When I think of UPI, I scan a QR code, and the payment happens seamlessly. It took over a decade to convince everyone of its reliability. Similarly, ONDC is being shaped to be accessible for someone in rural India, ensuring that no citizen is left behind in this digital revolution,” he said. By partnering with Common Services Centres (CSCs), ONDC is bringing e-commerce to rural communities, empowering small businesses, and creating opportunities for innovation that were unimaginable just a few years ago.
Digital public infrastructure functions as a virtuous ecosystem, connecting identity verification, payment mechanisms, consent management, and data aggregation into a seamless experience. Sunil Pandita, SVP at Newgen Software, emphasized how DPI integrates Aadhaar, UPI, and the Account Aggregator framework to deliver inclusive services. “By combining these elements, DPI enables efficient delivery of both government and private services, expands financial inclusion for unbanked citizens, and creates fertile ground for innovation across sectors,” he explained. This infrastructure ensures that digital services are accessible, reliable, and scalable, paving the way for greater citizen empowerment and economic growth.
The advent of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) further reinforces India’s commitment to digital innovation. Sirin Kumar, General Manager at the Reserve Bank of India, spoke about the Digital Rupee project, which began in November 2022. He explained that as more financial institutions and banks connect to the project, the digital rupee strengthens existing infrastructure like UPI while offering a secure, state-backed alternative for digital payments. The initiative not only boosts financial inclusion but also provides a platform for innovation in fintech, enhancing the country’s economic resilience.
However, building such a robust digital ecosystem is not without challenges. Harsha Bhowmik, Director at the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, underscored the need for a layered governance model. “There has to be a statutory layer, regulatory layer, operational layer, and technological layer. Coordination between multiple ministries, departments, and agencies is crucial, but creating a sustainable operational model is the real challenge,” he noted. This layered approach ensures that digital infrastructure is secure, interoperable, and able to evolve alongside emerging technologies and citizen needs.
Practical user experience is another key focus area. Satish Srivastava, SVP at the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), explained, “We focus on the user-friendly perspective of our platform. For instance, if data has already been entered, it is seamlessly fetched from other departments, saving time and effort. The aim is to make services intuitive and efficient, whether for businesses or citizens.” This human-centric approach underscores the importance of designing DPI systems that are not only technologically advanced but also accessible and easy to use for everyone, from rural entrepreneurs to urban corporates.
As India accelerates toward its “techade,” DPI is proving to be more than just digital infrastructure—it is a strategic enabler of inclusion, innovation, and economic growth. By integrating identity, payments, and consent frameworks with robust governance and user-friendly design, India is setting the stage for a decade defined by technology-led transformation. Citizens, businesses, and government agencies alike are poised to benefit from this integrated ecosystem, making daily interactions simpler, faster, and more transparent. The journey is ongoing, but the foundation laid today promises a future where technology truly serves everyone.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from the 3rd FE Digital Bharat Economy Conclave 2025 and statements made by industry experts and government officials. It is intended for informational purposes only.
