UNIT-4 APPLICATIONS IN

GOVERNANCE
 E-Governance
• It means using technology—like the internet, mobile phones, or computer
networks—to deliver government services quickly and transparently.
• In simple terms: When the government uses apps, websites, or SMS to interact
with citizens, that's e-governance.
• E-governance can be defined as the delivery of government services and
information to the public by means of technology.
• Various agencies, departments of the government organizations have taken a
large number of initiative steps towards implementation of e-governance
across the country.
• The strategic objective of e-governance is to support and stimulate good
governance in economic, political and administrative aspects.
• Real-life example: When we use the Aarogya Setu app during COVID-19 to get
health updates—that’s e-governance.
• Filing Income Tax Returns online, applying for a passport through the Passport
Seva website, or checking your PAN card status online—these are all examples
of e-governance in action.
 Why is E-Governance Important?
• E-Governance isn’t just about going digital—it’s about empowering citizens,
improving democracy, and making government smarter and faster.

1. Citizen Empowerment & Enhanced Democracy: E-governance gives citizens

a voice. It helps them actively participate in governance.
Example: MyGov.in – A platform where people can share opinions on
government policies and even contribute ideas for new schemes. This brings
democracy .
• 2. Better Communication with Businesses and Industry : Government easily
communicates with businesses for registrations, taxes, or licenses.
Example: GST Portal – Businesses can file returns, pay taxes, and communicate
with departments online. No need to stand in long queues anymore.

3. Smarter Government Management : With digital records, the government can

monitor performance, reduce paperwork, and cut down delays and corruption.
Example: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) – Subsidies like LPG or scholarships are
sent directly to bank accounts, cutting out middlemen and fraud.
 • GOVERNMENT APPS:
1. MyGov App – Voice of the Citizen
• Suppose the government is planning a new education policy and wants
suggestions from youth like you—how can your voice reach them?
• Discussion: Where citizens give opinions on policies.
• Polls: Participate in government surveys.
• Tasks: Opportunities to contribute ideas, like logo or slogan contests.
• Blog: Students can read articles from ministers, departments, and experts.
2. UMANG App – One App for All Government Services
Explore popular services: Check PF balance, Book LPG cylinder,66 Check exam
results, Passport Seva

3. Digi Locker –Issued Document Wallet

Link your Aadhaar
Download documents: CBSE marksheets, driving license, PAN, voter ID.
Upload personal documents safely.
No need to carry physical documents anymore—just show them digitally.
 OBJECTIVES OF E- GOVERNANCE :
1. Fast and Easy Services: Book a gas cylinder or pay electricity bills
online—no more standing in long queues.
2. Better Delivery of Services & Info: Get birth certificates, land
records, or exam results instantly via apps like UMANG.
3. Enhanced Democracy: Share your opinion on policies through
MyGov—your voice matters!
4. Increased Accountability:Track the status of complaints or
applications online—no more "come tomorrow" replies.
5. More Transparency: Schemes like PM Kisan show real-time fund
transfers—everything is visible.
6. Reduced Corruption: No middlemen—Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) puts
money straight in your bank.
7. Less Red Tapism: Apply for passports or PAN cards online—skip layers of
paperwork.
8. Cost Reduction: Less printing, postage, and physical storage saves crores for
the government.
9. Revenue Growth: Online tax filing (like GST portal) boosts compliance and
increases government income.
10. Greater Convenience: Carry your documents in Digi Locker—no need to
carry papers everywhere.
11. Promotion of Knowledge Sharing: Departments share data digitally—like
Aadhaar-linked systems or digital health records.
 ADVANTAGES OF E- GOVERNANCE :
• Fast Speed: Processes and services are delivered in real time with
minimal delay.
• Low Cost: Reduces paperwork, manpower, and operational expenses.
• Increased Efficiency: Streamlines workflows and improves service
quality.
• Easy Management: Simplifies handling of data, services, and
decision-making.
• Transparency: Makes information open and accessible, reducing
hidden processes.
• Accountability: Every action is traceable, ensuring
responsibility at every level.
 DISADVANTAGES OF E- GOVERNANCE :
• Loss of Interpersonal Communication: People miss the personal touch
—“Press 1, Press 2…” on helplines often leaves users frustrated instead of
feeling heard.
• High Setup Cost & Technical Difficulties: Creating digital infrastructure like
servers, software, and training needs huge investment—and frequent system
crashes (like during last-minute exam result days) frustrate users.
• Illiteracy & Lack of Digital Awareness: Many citizens, especially in rural areas,
don’t know how to use apps or even ATMs, keeping them away from digital
services.
• Cyber Crime & Data Leaks: Fake job websites or phishing SMS asking for
Aadhaar/PAN details show how personal data can be misused—leading to fear
and lack of trust.
 APPLICATIONS AREAS OF E- GOVERNANCE :
1. Commercial Services: E-filing of taxes, GST returns,
and company registrations are now done online.
Example: A startup owner registers her company on the
MCA portal in just one day.

2. Utility Payments: Electricity, water, and gas bills can

be paid online.
Example: A working woman pays her electricity bill on
UMANG.
3. Agriculture Sector: Farmers get updates on weather, crop
prices, and subsidies online.
Example: A farmer uses the PMKisan portal to get SMS alerts
about rain and mandi rates.

4. Public Information: Citizens can access laws, schemes, and

updates anytime.
Example: A student reads the New Education Policy directly
from the MyGov website.

5. Social Services: Schemes like pensions, scholarships, and

health benefits are available digitally.
Example: A widow receives pension under NSAP directly into
her bank via DBT.
6. Public Grievances: Complaints can be filed and tracked
online.
Example: A citizen files a complaint about poor roads on the
PG Portal and gets a response.

7. Rural Services: Services like land records, job cards, and

health schemes reach remote villages.
Example: A villager checks his Bhu Naksha (land map) online
without going to the tehsil.

8. Police Services:FIR registration, complaint tracking, and

traffic challans are available online.
Example: A youth files an online FIR for a stolen phone
through state police portal.
9. E-Voting: Online voting trials and facilities increase
convenience and participation.

10. Vehicle Registration & Transport: Apply for licenses,

pay road tax online.
Example : A student renews her driving license online
from home using Parivahan Sewa portal without visiting
the RTO.

11. Financial Transactions: Government subsidies and

welfare payments go directly to bank accounts.
Example: A farmer receives PM Kisan Yojana money
straight into his Jan Dhan account.
 STAGES OF E-GOVERNANCE :
• 1. Computerization: This first phase is characterized with the availability of
computers and their installation in a large number of Government offices.
These computers began with word processing.
• 2. Networking: In this phase, agencies and departments of various
government organizations are connected through a hub which facilitates
sharing of information and flow of data between different governments
entities.
Example : RTO offices (Regional Transport Offices) are connected with
insurance companies and the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).So when
someone applies for a vehicle registration or driving license, the system
checks:
• If the vehicle is insured
• If there is any theft record or pending challan.
• 3. On-line presence: In this phase, the government entities began to maintain
websites to show on-line presence. These websites contains information
about the organizational structure, contact details, reports and publications,
objectives and vision statements.
Example: The Income Tax Department’s website gives forms, rules, and updates
—no need to visit the office just for info.

• 4. Online interactivity: Online interactivity began between government

entities and the citizens, civil society organizations etc. It also minimized the
scope of personal interface with government entities by providing
downloadable forms, instructions, acts, rules etc.
Example: You file your IT returns, track your scholarship, or apply for voter ID—
all from your mobile.
 WORKING SYSTEM OF E-GOVERNANCE :
• The basic purpose of implementing e-
Governance is to simplify governance
processes for all, i.e. government,
citizens, businesses, etc. at national, state
and local levels.
• In short, it is the use of electronic means,
to promote good governance.
• Cloud Computing is the latest information
technology (IT) revolution that helps
developing countries to implement their
e-governance services at a very low cost
and provide better services
to their citizens.
 • Role of Cloud Computing in E-Governance:
• Cloud Computing is a major technological support behind e-governance. It
allows the government to offer services online without owning expensive
infrastructure.
• Real-life example: Imagine using Google Drive—you don’t save files on your
personal computer but store them online and access them anytime, anywhere.
• Similarly, the government stores data (like Aadhaar details, tax info, etc.) on
the cloud and provides access to various departments and users online.
 Benefits of Cloud Computing in E-Governance:

• Low cost (no need for individual servers in each department)

• Anytime-anywhere access
• Data backup at multiple places (prevents data loss)
• Centralized system to manage all services smoothly
 Structure of Cloud-Based E-Governance
System:
• We can divide it into two parts:
1. Front-End: This is the part that we, as users (citizens, businesses, or even
government employees), interact with. The front end includes the client’s
computer and the application required. These users are called "user
endpoints",

Real-life example: When a student applies for a scholarship online, A business

files GST through a government portal ,A farmer checks crop subsidy status on a
mobile app and they can access services through computers, laptops, mobiles,
or tablets—anything that connects to the Internet.
2. Back-End: The technology behind the scenes .This is the part that we
don’t see, but it’s where all the work happens. It includes:

Servers (large computers that process data)

Data storage (where your documents and records are saved)
Security systems (to protect your data)
Cloud infrastructure (like a strong base that supports the system)
Service models (how services are delivered to you).
 EDI IN GOVERNANCE :
• A government can use EDI to exchange any type of transaction with others,
businesses or individuals including purchase orders, tax forms, licensing
applications, and mandatory reports.
• It can use EDI or related applications of information technology to
disseminate public information or share information with other governments
or organizations.
• These broad uses of EDI all fall under the definition of electronic commerce.
• EDI supports government to maximize investment in assets and
improve public service.
 Real-Life Situation:
Imagine the Ministry of Health wants to buy 1 lakh COVID testing kits from a
private medical supplier.
Step 1: Government Department Sends Information
The Health Ministry enters the order details (like quantity, price, delivery date)
into their computer system. This is sent to a special software gateway that
prepares the message to be shared securely.
Step 2: Gateway Processes and Converts the Message
The Gateway checks the order, converts it into a standard format and saves a
copy.
Step 3: Information Reaches NEP (Network Entry Point)
Now, this converted message is sent to the NEP—a system that acts like a traffic
controller or main server junction.
Step 4: NEP Sends Message to VAN (Value Added Network)
The NEP forwards the message to a VAN, which is a private data delivery
company. The VAN delivers the message to the supplier's system.

Step 5: Trading Partner Replies (in Reverse Order)

The medical supplier reads the order, accepts it, and sends a reply (like an
invoice or delivery schedule) back.

This reply travels the same route backward:

Supplier → VAN → NEP → Gateway → Health
Ministry’s system
 E-GOVERENANCE MODELS :

• GOVERNMENT TO BUSINESS (G2B)

• GOVERNMENT TO CITIZEN (G2C)

• GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT (G2G)

• GOVERNMENT TO EMPLOYEE (G2E)

 1. GOVERNMENT TO BUSINESS (G2B)
• G2B (Government-to-Business) means when the government interacts with
businesses using digital platforms. It's a part of e-governance where
businesses are the target group, and the government provides various online
services and information.

• Real-Life Example: Suppose the government wants to build a flyover in your

city. Instead of calling or meeting contractors one by one, they publish a
tender on an official website like https://eprocure.gov.in.
• Contractors across India log in, check the tender, and submit their proposals
online. The government may even conduct e-auctions to
choose the best deal.
 2. GOVERNMENT TO CITIZEN (G2C)
• G2C (Government to Citizen) means when the government provides online
services directly to the public—that is, to common people like you and me—
using websites, apps, or digital platforms.
• Main Goal: To make government services faster, easier, cheaper, and more
accessible to every citizen, anytime and anywhere.
• It reduces average time for fulfilling people requests for various government
services.
 • What Kind of Services Are Provided Under G2C?

• Online birth/death certificates

• Aadhaar card services
• Passport applications
• Tax filing
• Welfare schemes info (like PMAY, Ujjwala Yojana, etc.)
• Voting details and voter registration
• Access to government forms
• Grievance redressal portals (to file complaints or suggestions)
 3. GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT (G2G)

• G2G (Government-to-Government) means when two or more government

departments or agencies share information, data, or resources with each
other electronically—that is, through the internet or internal systems.
• Main Purpose: To make coordination better, information flow faster, and
decision-making smarter between government offices.

• For Example : Police & Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS):

• Data about criminals and FIRs is shared across states and cities so that a
criminal in one state can be tracked in another.
1. Horizontal Interaction: This is the data sharing
between different government departments or
ministries at the same level (like department to
department).
Example: The Transport Department shares vehicle
registration data with the Police Department to
catch vehicles involved in crimes or unpaid challans.

2. Vertical Interaction: This is data sharing between

higher and lower levels within the same department
or organization (like Central to State or State to
District level).
Example: The Central Health Ministry collects data
from State Health Departments about COVID-19
vaccination or disease outbreaks.
 4. GOVERNMENT TO EMPLOYEE (G2E)
• G2E (Government-to-Employee) means when the government communicates
or provides services to its employees through online tools like websites, apps,
and portals.
• Main Idea: Government is one of the largest employers, so it needs a smart
and efficient way to manage and interact with lakhs of employees. G2E makes
this interaction digital, quick, and smooth.
• Real-Life Example: Imagine you’re a teacher in a government school .
• With G2E: You can check your salary slip online, Apply for leave on a portal,
Attend online training or webinars, Track your pension, promotions, or
benefits, No need to run after files or officers!
 Concept of Business-to-Government (B2G) –
• It is a type of e-commerce model where businesses sell their products or
services directly to government departments or agencies.
• This model provides a way for business to bid on government projects or
products that government might purchase or need for their organizations.
• B2G offer lower cost and greater choice to the administration and make
government tender offers more accessible to companies
• Real-Life Example of B2G:
• Laptop Distribution in Schools
• The Uttar Pradesh Government launched a scheme to
distribute free laptops to students in government schools
and colleges. But the government doesn’t manufacture
laptops on its own.
• Instead, it invites private laptop manufacturing companies
like HP, Dell etc. to bid through an online tender portal.
• These companies participate in the bidding process by
quoting their price and product specifications.
• The government then selects the most suitable company
based on cost, quality, and service terms.
• The selected company supplies lakhs of laptops to the
state government, which are then distributed to students.
 Concept of Citizen-to-Government (C2G) –
• It refers to interactions where citizens take the initiative to connect with the
government.
• It’s a two-way communication—citizens receive information (like policies or
schemes), and they also give feedback or suggestions (like complaints, voting,
or participating in campaigns).

• For example, when people vote during elections, use online portals to file
complaints, or give feedback on government apps like MyGov, they are part of
the C2G process. Services like e-democracy and e-feedback systems make this
faster, cheaper, and more transparent.
 Private Sector Interface in E-Governance:
• The private sector plays a key role in supporting and speeding up e-governance
in India.
• It is not just a helper but a real partner in:
Using e-governance services (as a customer),
Developing software and applications,
Implementing various e-governance projects.

• Institutions like the National Institute for Smart Government (NISG) have been
formed to bring in private sector talent for project planning, training
government staff, and building strong systems.
• As e-Governance is growing, private IT companies are helping build network-
based systems that connect people and improve government services.
 Real-Life Example:
• Aadhaar Project by UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India)
• The Aadhaar system—used by over a billion Indians today for identity
verification, bank accounts, subsidies, and more—was developed in
partnership with private tech companies like Infosys, TCS, and HCL.
• These companies helped design, build, and manage the massive digital
infrastructure behind Aadhaar, which is one of the largest biometric ID
systems in the world.
• TCS helped in data collection and enrolment software.
• Infosys worked on secure backend systems and software modules.
• Private vendors set up enrolment centers and handled logistics.