But what drives this digital transformation? It’s India’s robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). As India advances on its digital journey, DPI is proving to be a pivotal enabler of inclusive growth, innovation, and widespread governance.
To stimulate discussions on the future of Digital India, Protean presents the CNBC-TV18 India DPI Summit | Reimagining Digital Public Infrastructure for a Future-Ready Bharat. This flagship initiative convened prominent policymakers, regulators, technology leaders, and institutions to delve into the next phase of India’s digital ecosystem and its significance in global digital leadership.
Through engaging discussions and collaborative dialogues, dignitaries examined how India’s innovative digital frameworks are facilitating financial inclusion, enhancing public service delivery, and formulating scalable models for the world.
The unsung catalyst behind India’s world-class DPI evolution is Protean eGov Technologies Ltd. For more than three decades, Protean has been developing and enhancing vital components of India’s digital infrastructure, enabling essential systems such as PAN services, pension infrastructure, Aadhaar authentication, eKYC solutions, and beyond.
DPI is Shaping the Future of India’s Digital Economy
The grand summit commenced with Shailesh Haribhakti, Chairman of Protean eGov Technologies Ltd, emphasizing Protean’s critical role in facilitating India’s Digital Public Infrastructure journey and shaping discourse around India’s growth and global digital leadership. He poignantly stated, “Digital Public Infrastructure is not merely a technology narrative; it is a nation-building narrative.” He continued, “Infrastructure encompasses not just roads, ports, bridges, and power lines; it includes payments, data, and consent.”
Shailesh Haribhakti, Chairman, Protean eGov Technologies Ltd
Sivasubramanian Ramann, Chairperson of PFRDA, shared insightful perspectives on how DPI is revolutionizing pension systems, fostering financial inclusion, and laying the groundwork for a future-ready Bharat. He noted, “Technology facilitates access to pension services, boosts financial literacy, promotes informed financial decisions, and encourages long-term retirement planning.”
Sivasubramanian Ramann, Chairperson, PFRDA
Transformative Potential of Artificial Intelligence
The discussions then transitioned to a thought-provoking session centered on how AI can empower the next billion users and enhance the delivery of public goods.
Deep tech and AI possess the potential to further reinforce DPI, fostering trust, inclusion, and accessibility while creating significant societal impact at scale. However, this is achievable only when technology, policy, and purpose align harmoniously.
Highlighting the governmental role in establishing trustworthy public digital rails supported by Sovereign AI, Cloud, and Blockchain to stimulate private sector innovation, Rakesh Dosi, Chief Business and Product Officer at Protean eGov Technologies Ltd, stated, “AI requires robust digital foundations for success. Government initiatives have established reliable guardrails for AI adoption. From regulations to support, the government’s influence in AI has been vital.”
The UP Model: Converting Digital Transformation into Growth
As India speeds up its digital transformation, Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a vital player by developing strong digital infrastructure and utilizing technology to drive inclusive growth. From extending broadband connectivity to promoting AI adoption, the state is preparing the grounds for a digitally empowered economy.
Commenting on UP’s digital transformation, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Cabinet Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Government of UP, remarked, “Uttar Pradesh is utilizing digital infrastructure to foster inclusive growth. Through Project GANGA, we strive to provide high-speed broadband connectivity throughout the state, while our focus on trusted, interoperable digital systems is enhancing governance to be more efficient and citizen-centric. With our AI Mission and AI Pragya initiative, we are encouraging AI adoption and preparing a future-ready workforce skilled in AI, positioning UP as a frontrunner in India’s digital economy.”
Sunil Kumar Sharma, Cabinet Minister, Electronics and Information Technology, Government of UP
AI and DPI are Driving the Next Phase of Innovation
DPI has emerged as one of India’s most impactful reforms in recent years. Platforms like UPI have transformed service delivery and governance by making digital transactions more accessible, affordable, and seamless for the public.
Commenting on the intersection of AI and DPI, S. Krishnan, IAS, Secretary of MeitY, shared his insights on what it genuinely takes to institutionalize India’s digital governance framework. He explained, “AI is already enhancing DPI through voice-first interfaces such as Bhashini, making digital services more inclusive and accessible to every citizen, independent of language.” He expressed confidence in AI’s ability to extract greater value from data-driven intelligence, resulting in smarter governance, improved decision-making, and more personalized public services.
S. Krishnan, IAS, Secretary, MeitY
Amitabh Nag, CEO of Digital India Bhashini, emphasized that the AI-driven language translation platform Bhashini is bridging India’s language divide, ensuring last-mile inclusion and empowerment while making public services more accessible.
Amitabh Nag, CEO, Digital India Bhashini
According to Ajay Rajan, MD & CEO of Protean eGov Technologies Ltd., “DPI, in its true essence, signifies establishing trust and digital sovereignty. Protean has quietly upheld that trust for over three decades, and moving forward, we will help construct the foundations of India’s digital future through DPI and our pioneering enterprise solutions, both in India and abroad.”
Ajay Rajan, MD & CEO, Protean eGov Technologies Ltd
Check out the event videos for more strategic insights into DPI as a national growth engine.
As discussions at the India DPI Summit drew to a close, one consistent message resonated throughout every session—Digital Public Infrastructure is not merely an enabler of governance; it has established itself as the cornerstone for innovation, inclusion, and economic growth.
