2017 in Numbers: Key Achievements of MeitY

Digital India, the flagship project of the Government of India, has made rapid progress in the year 2017. The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), as a key ministry under the Government of India and the enabler of Digital India programme, has undertaken numerous revolutionary initiatives in the area of IT/ ITeS and electronic manufacturing that have put India on the global map and went on to become case studies for the reputed Universities across the globe. Having covered over 99% of the adult population of the country through the unique identity Aadhaar, the country is now looking at embracing the second phase of Digital India.

The year saw a 27% jump in the investment on electronic manufacturing where the total volume of investment reached 1.57 lakh crore in 2017 vis-à-vis 1.43 lakh crore in 2016; this was only 11,000 crore in 2014.  There has been almost 60% rise on the production of mobile phones to reach 17.5 crore units vis-s-vis 11 crore units last year, adding 4 lakh direct and indirect jobs in the sector; this was only 6 crore units in 2014-15. Digital transactions witnessed a growth of over 300% during this year.

In 2017, the Government of India has introduced many pro-people IT initiatives that have transformed the governance system for good. Some of the key initiatives that were pushed forward included India BPO Promotion Scheme, Software Procurement Policy for faster delivery and effective monitoring of services, Tele-Law through CSCs to Mainstream Legal Aid in Rural India, amongst others. The CSCs (Common Services Centers) have been effectively used to reach out to the last miles and bridge the gaps between urban and rural sector, between digital haves and have-nots.

Enlisted below are some of the data points that substantiate the country’s march towards a robust digital economy:

The Mobile Phone Revolution:

Today India is home to 121 Crore Mobile Phone users, compared to 103 crore in 2016.

• Smartphone Users:The number of smart-phone users have grown from 30 crore in 2016 to 40 crore in 2017.
• Internet Users: The number of internet users have grown from 40 crore in 2016 to 50 crore in 2017.

Growth in Mobile Phone Manufacturing:

• Jump of 60% in terms of units Manufacturing of mobile phones has reached 17.5 Crore units in 2016-17 from 11 crore in 2015-16.
• 105 mobile/ ancillary manufacturing units.
• Created 4 lakh direct and indirect jobs since 2014 of which 4 lakh added in 2017.

Investment in Electronic Manufacturing:

(Table 1: Investment in electronics increased by an impressive 27% in 2017)

Growth in Digital Payments:

 There has been a significant growth in various forms of digital payment due to initiatives taken by the Government in the aftermath of demonetization. The trend can be explained through the following table:

(Table 2: BHIM users increased from a paltry 4000 per day in 2016 to an impressive 25.6 lakh per day in 2017)

(With inputs from PIB)