GovTech 3.0

Ministry of Electronics of Information Technology (MeITY) has released a consultation paper on Strategy for National Open Digital Ecosystem (NODE).

Q. What is National Open Digital Ecosystem (NODE)/ Lovech 3.0?

A. National Open Digital Ecosystem (NODE) or GovTech 3.0 defined as “Open and secure delivery platforms, anchored by transparent governance mechanisms, which enable a technology collaboration among citizens, businesses and governments to transform societal outcomes.

Q. What are the objectives of GovTech 3.0?

A. The key objectives Govtech 3.0 

1. It include the need to optimise service delivery.
2. It is supposed to integrate data across departments and ministries.
3. To create inter-operable and modular platforms.
4. To include the private sector by allowing them to build solutions on top of Government architecture.

Q. How is it different from GovTech 1.0 and 2.0?

A. Evolution of GovTech (Use of Technology in Governance) Gov Tech1.0 was the era of computerisation of manual processes such as putting income tax forms online.

GovTech 2.0 was about building systems which digitised end-to-end processes, for example, the government’s “e-office” file management system.

GovTech 3.0 is focused on Open Digital Ecosystems (ODEs), the underlying philosophy suggests that the government should focus on creating the “digital commons”.It envisages the government becoming a facilitator by creating digital infrastructure on which innovators can collaboratively build solutions for the public good. For Examples, deployment of contact tracing apps (AarogyaSetu) developed through public-private partnerships, to prevent the spread of the corona virus.

Q. What are the Advantages of GovTech 3.0?

1. Integration of Government Services

2. Enhancing Social Security 

3. Overcoming governance deficit.

4. Effective efficient and swift policy implementation.

Q. What are the underlying challenges?

1. Privacy Issues: Potential violations of privacy and possible weaponisation of data is a primary issue related to such digital initiatives.
2. Security Issues: Another cybersecurity challenge is ensuring end-to-end protection of data throughout the whole ecosystem.
3. Federal Issues: The apps under GovTech 3.0 may end up gathering information which falls under the domain of State subject.
4. Infrastructural Lacunas.

Q. What are the reforms to be undertaken?

1. Addressing Privacy Issues: Designing privacy-protection and secure databases is critical. 
2. Citizen-Centric Design: There is a need to ensure the design is citizen-centric and ensures inclusive access to services at the last mile will help drive adoption and sustain these ecosystems
3. Ensuring Inclusivity: Digital ecosystems should be guided by factors of availability, accessibility, affordability, value and trust.
4. Ensuring Transparency: Rules that are coded into “tech” need to be made transparent through thoughtful design principles, legislation, governance frameworks and public engagement.