India's Digital Infrastructure Reaches Historic Scale as Internet, UPI and Electronics Manufacturing Record Unprecedented Growth

Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan said internet connectivity has crossed 107 crore connections, while broadband subscribers have reached nearly 100 crore, reflecting the rapid expansion of India's digital ecosystem. He also highlighted the widespread adoption of government-backed digital platforms that have significantly increased digital access across the country.

The government's digital document storage platform, DigiLocker, now serves more than 70 crore users. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has revolutionized digital payments in India, processes nearly 75 crore transactions every day. The International Monetary Fund has recognized UPI as the world's largest real-time payment system, underscoring its growing global significance.

According to the government, UPI-linked payment systems have already been adopted in nine countries, with additional nations expected to join in the coming years, reflecting the increasing international acceptance of India's digital payment infrastructure.

Mr Krishnan also emphasized the scale of welfare distribution through the Direct Benefit Transfer framework. The government currently operates 323 Direct Benefit Transfer schemes and has transferred more than Rs 51.5 lakh crore directly to beneficiaries. The system has substantially reduced leakages while improving efficiency and transparency in the delivery of welfare benefits.

Highlighting the transformation of India's electronics sector, Mr Krishnan said the country imported the majority of its smartphones in 2014. Today, smartphones have emerged as one of India's leading export categories, demonstrating the rapid growth of domestic manufacturing capabilities. He added that domestic value addition in electronics manufacturing has increased significantly over the years.

The government is also accelerating its semiconductor manufacturing initiative. Twelve semiconductor projects have been approved so far, and the semiconductor facility being established by CG Semi is expected to be inaugurated this week, marking another milestone in India's effort to strengthen domestic semiconductor production.

The remarks come as the government intensifies its focus on technological self-reliance and seeks to position India as a major global manufacturing and innovation hub through sustained investment in digital infrastructure and advanced technology.

Government sources also indicated that India is closely monitoring global developments in artificial intelligence. According to the sources, several countries, including the United States, are introducing safeguards and approval frameworks for advanced artificial intelligence technologies because of their far-reaching implications, particularly in the field of cyber security.

The government is supporting the development of indigenous artificial intelligence models and technological capabilities, the sources said, emphasizing that India must maintain strategic autonomy in critical technologies by leveraging its vast digital infrastructure, expanding talent pool and growing technological ecosystem. The developments reflect the country's broader strategy to secure long-term leadership in digital innovation, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.