Regarding 'DigiLocker', sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme. 2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Contents14
- A1 only
- B2 only
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Both statements about DigiLocker are correct.
Statement 1 (✓ CORRECT): DigiLocker is a digital document storage system under the Digital India Programme.
It gives every Indian citizen a dedicated cloud storage space linked to their Aadhaar number.
Statement 2 (✓ CORRECT): You can access your e-documents (driving license, mark sheets, Aadhaar, PAN card etc.) from anywhere, anytime, without carrying physical documents.
Key features:
- Linked to Aadhaar
- 1 GB free storage per citizen
- Documents are legally valid under IT Act
- Government departments can directly push documents to your locker (e.g., CBSE pushing mark sheets)
- Reduces need for physical document verification.
This was a straightforward question - both statements are basic facts about DigiLocker.
DigiLocker was launched in 2015 as part of Digital India Programme to give every citizen 1 GB free cloud storage linked to their Aadhaar number.
2016 was the early implementation phase of Digital India initiatives, making DigiLocker a hot current affairs topic for UPSC that year.
The question tests basic awareness of government digital services rather than technical cybersecurity concepts.
DigiLocker System
Science And Technology DigiLocker digital locker system e-documents
DigiLocker: Digital Document Storage Under Digital India
DigiLocker is a government cloud storage system under Digital India Programme
Provides 1 GB free storage per citizen linked to Aadhaar number
Documents are legally valid under IT Act 2000
Allows anywhere, anytime access to e-documents
What is DigiLocker
DigiLocker is a digital document wallet launched under the Digital India Programme in 2015. It provides every Indian citizen a dedicated cloud storage space linked to their Aadhaar number for storing and accessing important documents digitally.
Key Features
Feature | Details | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
Storage Capacity | 1 GB free per citizen | Sufficient for all personal documents |
Authentication | Aadhaar-based login | Secure access with government verification |
Legal Validity | Documents valid under IT Act 2000 | No need for physical verification |
Access | 24/7 from anywhere | Location-independent document access |
Push Facility | Govt departments push documents directly | Auto-upload of mark sheets, certificates |
Document Types Supported
Educational: Mark sheets, certificates, degrees (CBSE, universities push directly)
Identity: Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving license, passport
Government: Voter ID, ration card, pension documents, income certificates
Insurance & Financial: Policy documents, bank statements, tax returns
How DigiLocker Works
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Registration**
Citizen registers using **Aadhaar number** and mobile OTP`"]
s2["`**Document Upload**
User uploads documents OR govt departments push automatically`"]
s3["`**Digital Signature**
Documents get **digital signature** for legal validity`"]
s4["`**Access Anywhere**
User accesses documents from any device, any location`"]
s5["`**Verification**
Organizations verify documents directly from DigiLocker`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Question Context
This 2016 question tested basic knowledge of DigiLocker's core features under Digital India. Both statements were straightforward facts - it's a government digital storage system that allows location-independent access to documents.
Don't confuse DigiLocker with Digital Locker Facility offered by private banks
Remember: Documents are legally valid - not just digital copies but official documents
Aadhaar linkage is mandatory - not optional like other digital services
1 GB storage is per citizen, not per document or per family
Digital India Programme
Science And Technology Digital India Programme
Digital India Programme: Government's Digital Transformation Vision
Launched by PM Modi in July 2015 to transform India into digitally empowered society
Three vision areas: Digital Infrastructure, Digital Governance, Digital Empowerment
Target: Make services available to citizens electronically
Programme Overview
Digital India is the flagship programme launched in July 2015 to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. It aims to ensure government services are available to citizens electronically.
Three Pillar Vision
# Digital India Programme
## Digital Infrastructure
- High Speed Internet
- Digital Identity (Aadhaar)
- Mobile & Bank Account Access
- Common Service Centers
## Governance & Services
- Digital Services
- DigiLocker
- e-Hospital
- e-Sign
- MyGov Platform
## Digital Empowerment
- Digital Literacy
- Universal Digital Access
- Collaborative Digital Platforms
- Citizen ParticipationMajor Digital India Initiatives
Initiative | Purpose | Ministry/Department |
|---|---|---|
DigiLocker | Digital document storage | MeitY |
e-Sign | Digital signature framework | MeitY |
MyGov | Citizen engagement platform | PMO |
UMANG | Unified Mobile App for govt services | MeitY |
BharatNet | High-speed broadband connectivity | Telecom |
Common Service Centers | Digital service delivery points | MeitY |
Launch date: July 2015, not 2014 (don't confuse with other schemes)
Three pillars, not four - Infrastructure, Governance, Empowerment
DigiLocker is under Digital India, not under Skill India or Startup India
MeitY (Ministry of Electronics & IT) is the nodal ministry, not PMO directly
Aadhaar Integration in Government Services
Science And Technology Aadhaar
Aadhaar Integration: Digital Identity for Government Services
Aadhaar is 12-digit unique identity number based on biometric data
UIDAI issues Aadhaar under Ministry of Electronics & IT
Used for authentication in DigiLocker, DBT, and other government services
Aadhaar as Digital Identity
Aadhaar serves as the foundation of digital identity in India. It's a 12-digit unique identification number issued by UIDAI based on biometric and demographic data, enabling secure authentication for various government services.
Aadhaar-Enabled Services
Service | How Aadhaar is Used | Authentication Method |
|---|---|---|
DigiLocker | Account creation and login | Aadhaar number + OTP |
Direct Benefit Transfer | Bank account seeding for subsidies | Aadhaar-Bank linking |
PDS (Ration) | Beneficiary identification | Biometric authentication |
Income Tax Filing | PAN-Aadhaar linking mandatory | Aadhaar number verification |
Mobile SIM | e-KYC for new connections | Biometric + demographic |
Authentication Methods
Demographic Authentication: Name, address, date of birth matching
Biometric Authentication: Fingerprint or iris scan verification
OTP Authentication: One-time password sent to registered mobile
e-KYC: Electronic Know Your Customer using Aadhaar data
UIDAI is under MeitY, not under Home Ministry or Finance Ministry
Aadhaar is 12-digit, not 16-digit (that's debit card number)
Supreme Court ruling: Aadhaar mandatory only for government subsidies and benefits
e-KYC reduces physical document verification but requires consent