DIGITAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN INDIA: EVIDENCE FROM THE DIGITAL INDIA PROGRAMME
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2026.7501Keywords:
Digital Public Infrastructure, Digital India, Economic Growth, Financial Inclusion, Digital GovernanceAbstract
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has become a strategic foundation for digital transformation, financial inclusion, and institutional modernisation in emerging economies. India has developed one of the world's largest DPI ecosystems through the Digital India programme by integrating digital identity, interoperable payment systems, broadband connectivity, and digital public services. This study examines the evolution of India's DPI and its association with macroeconomic performance using nationally representative secondary data from TRAI, UIDAI, NPCI, RBI, and MoSPI. Four key indicators—Internet subscribers, Aadhaar authentication transactions, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction value, and the Reserve Bank of India Digital Payments Index (RBI-DPI)—are analysed alongside Gross Domestic Product (GDP) using trend analysis, descriptive statistics, and Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). The findings reveal sustained growth across all DPI indicators, with UPI exhibiting the fastest expansion, reflecting rapid adoption of interoperable digital payments. Internet connectivity and Aadhaar authentication also expanded substantially, strengthening digital governance, financial inclusion, and access to public services. Although the study does not establish causal relationships, the concurrent growth of DPI indicators and GDP suggests that integrated digital public systems contribute to institutional efficiency, lower transaction costs, and broader economic participation. The study contributes updated macro level evidence on India's Digital Public Infrastructure and offers policy insights for strengthening inclusive, secure, and sustainable digital development.
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