What Has 10 Years of Digital India Achieved? PM Modi Shares Key Milestones

Ten years ago, that question loomed large. The idea of a Digital India seemed both ambitious and audacious. Yet, fast forward to 2024, and the answer is crystal clear — India has not just embraced the digital revolution, it has led it. Marking this remarkable transformation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a reflective blog titled “A Decade of Digital India” on his LinkedIn profile, capturing the essence of the journey and what lies ahead.

And what a journey it has been.

From 25 Crore to 97 Crore: How India Got Connected

Back in 2014, India had roughly 25 crore internet connections — concentrated mostly in urban centres. Today, over 97 crore Indians are connected to the internet, with even remote outposts like Galwan and Siachen now digitally linked.

What was once a luxury is now a necessity — a shift made possible by massive investments in digital infrastructure. PM Modi highlighted how India's 5G rollout has been one of the fastest globally, with nearly five lakh base stations set up in just two years.

This digital leap has redefined access, breaking geographic and economic barriers, and laying the groundwork for an inclusive digital economy.

Tech That Touches Lives: From UPI to CoWIN

From a tea vendor in Varanasi to a techie in Bengaluru, digital tools now shape the daily lives of Indians across the socio-economic spectrum.

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) — once an experiment in digital payments — now processes over 100 billion transactions annually. Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) have revolutionized governance, with ₹44 lakh crore directly reaching beneficiaries, bypassing middlemen and saving the exchequer ₹3.5 lakh crore.

Platforms like CoWIN, which powered the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination drive, DigiLocker for digital documents, and FASTag for seamless toll payments, have become part of everyday life. These aren't just tech tools; they represent a shift in mindset — from manual to digital, from delayed to real-time.

Platforms that Empower: ONDC, GeM & SVAMITVA

India’s digital revolution hasn’t stopped at citizen services. It’s also transforming commerce and governance.

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), often referred to as India’s answer to Amazon and Flipkart, has already crossed 200 million transactions. Meanwhile, Government e-Marketplace (GeM) clocked ₹1 lakh crore in sales in just 50 days.

The SVAMITVA scheme, which uses drones and GIS technology to map rural properties, has issued 2.4 crore property cards and mapped over 6 lakh villages. These are not just statistics — they represent real empowerment, legal certainty, and economic opportunity for millions.

Startup Nation Rising: India Among Top 3 in the World

PM Modi’s blog also proudly referenced India’s vibrant startup ecosystem, which now boasts over 1.8 lakh startups, making it one of the top three in the world.

This entrepreneurial explosion is not just about unicorns or valuation headlines. It reflects a cultural shift — a generation that now builds rather than waits, creating jobs, solving problems, and leading with innovation.

AI for All: The Next Big Leap

India’s tech journey is not slowing down. The India AI Mission, as highlighted by PM Modi, is set to democratize access to advanced AI tools, ensuring that cutting-edge technology is not restricted to labs or metros but reaches every corner of the country.

By making AI inclusive and accessible, India is laying the foundation to become a global hub of digital innovation, not just a participant in the tech race but a leader.

The Message Ahead: A Digital Future, Made in India

Looking forward, PM Modi's message is clear: the next decade will not be about catching up — it will be about leading.

He called on Indian innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups to create technology that unites, empowers, and reflects Indian values.

“Let us build not just digital products, but a digital future that is inclusive, transformative, and truly Indian,” he concluded.

What began as a mission in 2015 is now a movement. From payments to property rights, from telemedicine to digital classrooms, Digital India is no longer an initiative — it’s a way of life.

And if the past 10 years are anything to go by, the next 10 may well redefine not just India’s future, but the global digital landscape.