Unit 4: E-Government and E-Governance
E-Government and E-Governance
E-Government (Electronic Government)
E-Government means using information and communication technologies (ICT)—like the internet, mobile apps, and digital platforms—to deliver government services to citizens, businesses, and other government departments.
- Services become faster, transparent, and more efficient.
- Reduces paperwork, corruption, and delays.
Example:
- Filing GST online
- Aadhaar-enabled services
- Passport Seva portal
E-Governance
E-Governance is broader than e-government. It refers to the overall governance process that uses ICT to improve decision-making, participation, transparency, and service delivery.
- It is about how government functions, not just digital service delivery.
- Covers communication, policy-making, citizen participation, and accountability.
Example:
- Digital India
- UMANG app (Unified Mobile App for Governance)
- Online grievance portals
Difference Between E-Government & E-Governance
| Basis | E-Government | E-Governance |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Delivery of services | Transforming governance |
| Focus | Technology use | Process improvement |
| Example | Online tax filing | Transparency portals |
| Objective | Efficiency | Citizen participation + better governance |
| Coverage | Narrow | Broad (policies + services + participation) |
Objectives of E-Governance
| Objective | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Faster & cheaper service delivery | Online licenses |
| Transparency | Reduces corruption via digital tracking | RTI online |
| Accountability | Clear responsibility for actions | Digital audit trails |
| Citizen Empowerment | Citizens involved in governance | Public feedback apps |
| Inclusiveness | Services reach rural & marginalized groups | CSCs in villages |
| Convenience | Anytime, anywhere access | Passport renewal online |
| Economic Development | Encourages digital business | e-Marketplaces (GeM) |
Stages and Maturity Models of E-Governance
Most governments progress through 4–5 steps to reach full digital maturity.
Below are the most accepted maturity models:
Model 1: Four-Stage E-Governance Maturity Model
Stage 1 — Information
Government provides basic information online.
- Websites with policies, forms, announcements
- No interaction
Example:
-
State government websites displaying schemes
Stage 2 — Interaction
Two-way communication begins.
- Downloadable forms
- Email contact, feedback
- Citizens can ask questions
Example:
- Online feedback systems
- Downloading driving license forms
Stage 3 — Transaction
Full transactions can be completed online.
- Online payments
- Online applications
- Tracking and status updates
Example:
- Online tax filing (ITR)
- Online railway booking (IRCTC)
Stage 4 — Transformation
Integrated, seamless government system.
- All services on one platform
- Data sharing across departments
- Single sign-on
Example:
- UMANG App (All govt services in one place)
- DigiLocker
- Bhulekh (Land records) linked with Aadhaar
4-Stage Model
Model 2: Five-Stage E-Governance Maturity Model (More Detailed)
| Stage | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Initiation | Government experiments with ICT | Basic websites |
| 2. Enhancement | Improved design, more details | Updated portals |
| 3. Transaction | Online services with payments | Online license application |
| 4. Integration | Departments connected digitally | Single-window systems |
| 5. Participatory | Citizens involved in policymaking | MyGov.in |
Types of E-Governance
E-Governance interactions happen in 4 major ways:
1. G2C – Government to Citizen
Services delivered directly to citizens.
Examples:
- Online birth certificates
- Aadhaar services
- Ration card applications
2. G2B – Government to Business
Helps companies operate easily.
Examples:
- GST online portal
- Company registration (MCA)
- Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
3. G2G – Government to Government
Internal data sharing within departments.
Examples:
- Police crime records system (CCTNS)
- Health departments sharing vaccination data
4. G2E – Government to Employee
Services for government employees.
Examples:
- Online payroll system
- Leave management portals
Benefits of E-Governance
For Citizens
- Saves time and money
- Transparent processes
- 24/7 service availability
- Reduced corruption
For Government
- Efficient administration
- Improved decision making
- Better monitoring & control
For Business
- Easy licensing and compliance
- Reduced delays and paperwork
Real-Life Examples of E-Governance in India
- Aadhaar Ecosystem
- Digital India Mission
- DigiLocker
- BharatNet providing rural broadband
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
- MyGov.in citizen engagement
- Swachh Bharat portal
Simple Flowchart: How E-Governance Works
National E-Governance Initiatives – Introduction
The Government of India launched several programs to modernize and digitize public service delivery.
The biggest and most structured program is the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP).
The goal:
- Provide efficient, transparent, and accessible government services
- Through ICT (Information & Communication Technologies)
National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
Launched in: 2006
Vision: “Make all government services accessible to the common man in his locality through common service delivery outlets and ensure efficiency, transparency, and reliability at affordable costs.”
Key Components of NeGP
A. Core Infrastructure Projects
These support all e-governance initiatives.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| SWAN (State Wide Area Network) | High-speed government network across states |
| SDC (State Data Centres) | Storage for government data and applications |
| CSC (Common Service Centres) | Physical centres in rural areas delivering digital services |
| e-Sewa Kendra / Digital Seva | One-stop digital service for citizens |
B. Mission Mode Projects (MMPs)
These are large, long-term projects that focus on specific government sectors.
Mission Mode Projects (MMPs)
MMPs are categorized into three groups:
A. Central MMPs
| Project | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | Online tax filing (ITR) | e-Filing portal |
| Passport Seva | Fast delivery of passports | Online applications |
| MCA21 | Online company registration & compliance | Corporate compliance |
| Insurance | Efficient service for policyholders | LIC online services |
| Banking | CBS, digital banking | SBI net banking |
| Pensions | Online pension management | Jeevan Pramaan |
B. State MMPs
| Project | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| e-District | Services at district level | Certificates, licenses |
| Land Records (Bhulekh) | Digital land records | UP Bhulekh, Karnataka Bhoomi |
| Municipalities | Property tax, birth certificates | Urban local bodies |
| Police (CCTNS) | Crime & criminal tracking | FIR filing online |
C. Integrated MMPs
| Project | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| e-Courts | Digital judiciary | Case status online |
| e-Procurement | Transparent govt purchasing | GeM (Government e-Marketplace) |
| National e-Governance Service Delivery Gateway (NSDG) | Standardized service delivery | Service integration |
| India Portal | Single government information gateway | India.gov.in |
Implementation Framework for e-Governance Projects
NeGP includes a structured implementation framework to ensure success.
Key Elements
-
Public–Private Partnerships (PPP)
– Many projects are built with private IT companies
– Ensures efficiency & innovation
(Ex: Passport Seva partnered with TCS) -
Capacity Building
– Training government employees
– Establishing State e-Mission Teams (SeMT) -
Standardization
– Common standards for data, security, and communication -
Process Re-engineering
– Redesigning workflows BEFORE digitizing
– Avoiding old manual systems being copied digitally -
Monitoring & Evaluation
– Regular assessment using KPIs
– Feedback from citizens
E-Governance Implementation Flow (Text-Based Diagram)
Role of ICT in Public Service Delivery
- ICT = Internet, Mobile, Cloud, Databases, AI, IoT, etc.
- ICT plays a crucial role in making government services efficient, transparent, and accessible.
Benefits of ICT in Public Services
1. Accessibility
- 24/7 availability
- Services delivered even in rural areas
- UMANG app brings 100+ services to mobile
2. Transparency
- Reduces corruption
- Digital records leave audit trails
- Example: e-Procurement systems reduce fake bids
3. Efficiency
- Faster processing of applications
- Automated workflows
- Example: Online PAN card application
4. Inclusiveness
- CSCs offer digital services to rural citizens
- Reduces digital divide
5. Cost Reduction
- Less paperwork
- Lower administrative costs
- Example: Digital certificates reduce printing costs
6. Better Governance
- Real-time monitoring (agriculture, health, crime)
- Data analytics improves decision-making
Real-Life Examples of ICT in Public Services
1. Aadhaar
- Biometric identification
- Used for banking, subsidies, verification
2. Digital India Initiatives
- BharatNet (rural broadband)
- e-Hospital (AIIMS digital services)
- DigiLocker (store documents online)
3. UPI & Digital Payments
- Government + NPCI enabling digital payments
- Used in taxation, tolls, public services
4. e-Vidhan Sabha
-
Paperless legislative processes
Diagram: ICT-Enabled Public Service Delivery Model
Summary for Exams
✔ NeGP launched in 2006
✔ Includes 31 Mission Mode Projects
✔ Focus on transparency, efficiency, accessibility
✔ ICT helps deliver faster, paperless, corruption-free public services
✔ Key infrastructure: SWAN, SDC, CSC
✔ Examples: Aadhaar, DigiLocker, Passport Seva, e-Districts