GANDHINAGAR, APR 16
In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India, Gujarat’s Digital Seva Setu initiative is breaking new ground by making government services seamlessly accessible online, reaching even the most far-flung villages. The Chief Minister’s Office highlighted that the initiative, driven by a strong optical fibre network, has already reached over 61 lakh citizens, providing 321 types of services and certificates.
The Gujarat Government’s Digital Seva Setu initiative has made government services accessible online, even for citizens in the state’s remotest villages. Powered by a strong optical fibre network, Digital Seva Setu ensures the delivery of essential services at the village level. Currently, 321 types of certificates and services are available on the portal, benefiting over 61 lakh people in the past two years, added the release.
- In 2 years, over 61 lakh people from Gram Panchayats availed government services via Digital Seva Setu Portal
- Under e-Gram Service, Gram Panchayats can issue 14 certificates for ₹20; services like income proof and ration cards will be streamlined
- Over 321 citizen-centric services are available in 14,000+ Gram Panchayats through Digital Seva Setu
- Gujarat is at the forefront of fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India
Digital Seva Setu: A Key Step in Advancing Digital Access in Rural Gujarat
Launched by the state government in October 2020, the Digital Seva Setu portal aims to ensure that even the most remote areas of Gujarat can access government services seamlessly. By bringing services usually offered at taluka and district centres directly to rural residents, the portal enables access at their convenience and for a standard fee through the Gram Panchayat.
With Digital Seva Setu, government services have become more transparent, efficient, and accessible, marking a key advancement in the digital transformation of rural Gujarat.
India continues to advance in digital connectivity
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India continues to advance in digital connectivity. The ‘Digital India’ mission, launched by the Prime Minister to promote public welfare and enhance ‘Ease of Living’ through technology, is being further advanced through Gujarat’s ‘Digital Gujarat’ initiative, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Chief Minister’s office said in a press release.
The Crucial Role of the BharatNet Project in Driving Digital Transformation
The Government of India launched the BharatNet project with the vision of delivering broadband connectivity to every Gram Panchayat across the country. In Gujarat, this transformative initiative, implemented by the State Science and Technology Department, has revolutionised governance through the Digital Seva Setu platform.
By connecting over 8,000 villages to a high-speed 100 Mbps optical fibre network, the project ensures that services traditionally available only at taluka and district centres are now accessible directly at the Gram Panchayat level, all for a nominal fee.
Services such as name additions or corrections, issuance of duplicate ration cards, income certificates, senior citizen certificates, creamy layer certificates, caste certificates, and more, can now be obtained from the Gram Panchayat office via Digital Seva Setu for just Rs 20.
Over 61 Lakh People Have Accessed Various Services at Gram Panchayats in the Last 2 Years
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Digital Seva Setu platform, powered by the BharatNet Phase-2 network, has successfully delivered 321 services to nearly 1.57 crore rural residents.
Gujarat’s Gram Panchayats have recently been authorised to issue 14 types of certificates for a nominal fee of Rs 20, including income proof and modifications to ration cards.
This initiative helps rural citizens avoid the need to travel to taluka or district offices for essential services like certificates and documents, saving both time and travel costs. A total of 14,112 Gram Panchayats across 248 talukas have been covered under this initiative.
The success of Digital Seva Setu is reflected in its statistics. In 2023-24, 27,13,079 people accessed various government services through Gram Panchayats, while 34,99,261 people benefitted in 2024-25.
Generates employment through Village Computer Entrepreneurs
The portal currently offers 321 types of certificates and services, with 18 additional certificates and services from the Social Justice and Empowerment Department (SJED) set to launch soon. The implementation of Digital Seva Setu has not only reduced time, costs, and paper usage but has also generated employment through Village Computer Entrepreneurs (VCEs).
