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I am extremely delighted to present this special edition of the ‘Best of Tech Quarterly’, which has been launched during the 5th Gems of Digital India Knowledge and Awards Event 2024.
Gems of Digital India is an established brand now. The awards are presented to path breaking digital initiatives from the Government, PSU, and Co-operative Sectors. In the first four seasons, a total of 154 projects were felicitated. This year 32 new projects are added to that prestigious list taking the total to 186.
Gems of Digital India Awards are conferred upon projects that are discovered through rigorous research by our analysts. This year 126 projects were identified by our research team as a starting point.
A round of evaluation of these projects was carried out by us internally and 32 best among those projects were shortlisted. These are the Gems of Digital India.
These 32 projects were presented to a Jury comprising of three members, who made individual choices in terms of the best out of the best. 12 out of these 32 projects were chosen by all the three Jury members and have been presented with Gems of Digital India – Jury’s Choice award. The 20 others have been presented with Gems of Digital India – Analyst’s Choice award.
While we celebrate the success of these 32 Gems of Digital India in 2024, we also ensured that we learn from them. A thorough analysis of these projects and our perspectives from other research programs such as Digital States of India were put together to finalize the 10 tech trends for 2024-25. These tech trends are presented in this report.
I congratulate the leadership and the teams behind the 32 Gems of Digital India and hope they will inspire many others to follow their footprints.
Wishing you the best.
DR KAPIL DEV SINGH CEO, Coeus Age
kds@coeusage.com, 9811771187
10 TECH TRENDS for 2024-25
GOVERNMENT, PSU & CO-OPERATIVE SECTORS
Improving Performance/ Efficiency/ Productivity
Taking Government to the Citizens' Doorsteps
Ensuring Sustainability
Protecting and Assuring
Eradicating Micro Corruption
Unleashing Human Potential
10 Tech Trends for 2024-25
Coeus Age presents ‘Best of Tech – Government’ every year that unveils annual tech trends. The 10 tech trends for 2024-25 were identified through an interesting analysis process.
We started with one question – what were the core objectives of the project? 83 eGov project responses were collected. A very interesting perspective emerged (see the page on left).
A vast majority (88%) chose performance, efficiency or productivity as the core objective, followed by 36% who chose the objective to be taking government to the citizens’ doorsteps. We call them baseline objectives.
Other options chosen included ensuring sustainability (31%), protecting and assuring (29%), eradicating micro corruption (26%) and unleashing human potential (14%). We call them higher level objectives.
Three broad imperatives for Digital India emerge from the data of 83 eGov projects. These three imperatives serve as the drivers for IT and Digital in Government, PSUs, and Cooperative Sectors.
The first imperative is the base level ‘platform’ and its evolution. The base level platforms have been aimed at efficiency and productivity enhancement. The base level is defined by software driven operations, process level integration, and basic level of process data publishing.
This base level is now gradually evolving into a smarter platform with better data flow and sharing - both within and across domains, dashboard publishing, and leverage of AI/ ML technologies to drive autonomy and smartness. This is enhancing the efficiency and productivity aspects further to what was achieved by base level platforms.
The evolution of the base level platforms is also happening on account of modernization of the underlying infrastructure, applications, and applications development technologies with the core objective of becoming agile, secured, and cost effective.
The second imperative is the drive to ensure ‘continuity’ (in terms of securing digital assets, ensuring sustainability, eradicating micro corruption and unleashing human potential). These aspects are relevant and being talked about in general life but finding relevance of digital and putting that to use towards achieving them is relatively new. Even if present, they are subtle in terms of their presence.
And the third imperative is ‘data’ that has emerged as a very critical resource, in terms of gaining insights for the systemic ability to act - at policy, people, and process levels.
Hence, we have three overlapping imperatives now - platform, data, and continuity that underlie the 10 tech trends identified for 2024-25 by our analysts. These three imperatives are being driven by the emergence of AI/ ML as the power that’s at the core.
The 10 tech trends are presented on the subsequent pages.
Platforms bring together ‘all services for all stakeholders’ involved. As stated earlier, platforms are becoming more enabled by Analytics/ AI/ ML and cloud native infrastructure and applications foundations, which makes them capable of providing better services. While the earlier version of platform involved static services delivery, the newer versions can handle complex logics on its own to deliver dynamic services. For example, contextualization can be handled in a better way, segmentation is possible, and personalization can be easily operationalized.
Similarly, isolated channels of service delivery (web, mobile, call centre, Kiosks, physical outlets, and social media) can be integrated with a common underlying layer for a seamless play to emerge. Banks are leading the platform play, e.g. YONO by SBI is a great example of multi service, omni channel platform.
As cross domain applications integrate, creating a greater platform for unified service delivery, the old enterprise architecture becomes inadequate. A new and modern enterprise architecture is emerging fast as new platforms take shape.
Some government initiatives are planning the transformation into a more modern avatar, while many others will realise the need and tread this path.
To support complex business and process logic at the top, a modular, cloud native, micro services, DevOps, and DevSecOps driven environment is a must. In the government and PSU domain, many platforms are evolving not only in terms of the process logic at the top, but also in terms of the foundation platform on which the complex process logic runs.
If infrastructure and applications cannot be provisioned faster and better, load balancing cannot be dynamically done, development environment does not keep pace with the business demand, the essentials of modern platforms i.e. elasticity, agility, cost efficiency, and security cannot be ensured.
A future model of IT design, evolve for enabling governments both efficiently and effectively. increased accountability, optimum enhanced transparency, the enough. The traditional model and its rigidity does not leave The contemporary model built is certainly better but can be on data driven services. Both be restricted in the longer
Government
design, deployment and use shall governments to serve their citizens, effectively. As we usher into an era of optimum utilization of resources and the earlier models of IT will not be model of IT has outlived its relevance leave much room for manoeuvrability. model built to provide discrete services can be limiting as the focus increases Both innovation and dynamism will longer term with the current approach.
A more platform centric, open architected, collaborative, seamless, secured and cloud and data centric model must evolve in order to serve the citizens.
The journey has just begun, the contemporary model elements are clearly visible today especially in terms of speed, quality and reach being the thrust. There are also traces of future model evolving, e.g. discrete domain platforms emerging. Yet in terms of core infrastructure, there are still traditional model elements present. A new and modern cloud centric, seamless, secured and managed infrastructure must evolve faster.
base componentscomputing, storage, network
IT as discrete services-infra, development, and applications
architecture-needs periodic upgrade Semi closed yet complex architecture, needs periodic overhauling
IT as platforms with a functional data layer and autonomy built in
needs continuous evolution
Coeus Age, 2020Coeus Age, 2024
In the earlier years, we predicted green shoots of AI/ ML emerging albeit as point solutions or use cases. But AI is now evolving beyond simple applications like chatbots and voice-bots becoming multi-lingual. It is also evolving into much more complex logics that when applied to processes can add autonomy and enhance performance.
As vast amounts of data are generated in transactional systems and are also available from outside the domain, AI/ ML is showing promise of solving much complex problems. For example, identifying the right medicine for the local population, segmenting and ensuring personalization in service delivery, adopting differentiated policy based on availability of deeper insights into micro segments as against a single version of the policy, preparing for identifying threats and becoming proactive in defining the right security posture, profiling beneficiaries more minutely, detecting and catching fraudulent activities proactively etc.
The trio of automation, analytics and artificial intelligence is evolving in cycles. In each cycle, the relationship between the three will also evolve.
In the initial cycles, the trio were mostly isolated with a clear distinction between them. But as they evolve into the future cycles, the distinction is giving way to a more cohesive and converged play.
Government and PSU organizations are also building enterprise class platforms to create AI/ ML capabilities for identifying and designing complex use cases across the value chain.
The three pillars of Automation, Intelligence are poised autonomous system. An autonomous one having the freedom to affairs. It can manifest at multiple level (e.g. issuance of driver’s the transport department) development).
In the initial cycles of the automation, analytics and AI
Automation, Analytics and Artificial to evolve towards building an autonomous system is defined as to govern itself or control its own multiple levels – at a specific process driver’s license), domain level (e.g. department) or a higher system level (e.g. city the interplay, the three aspects of AI shall evolve in silos, separated by time and space. But as they evolve and attain maturity, they shall converge together. E.g. machine learning triggering an auto decision that provisions a service to a citizen, an example of AI driven automated rendering of service.
The road ahead will involve enabling and supporting the three As and eventually their interplay for an autonomous system. Currently we are in the initial stages of the game, but as automation spreads from ‘big rocks to pebbles to grains to water’, the role of analytics and AI shall become more pronounced.
Almost every government digital initiative has a data strategy, although for vast majority it is often a simple compilation of cumulative data with some level of slicing and dicing possible. Though few in numbers, initiatives are emerging that take data play to the next level – that of building capabilities to collect, collate, store, and handle large volumes of data in their own as well across adjoining domains. Platforms for sharing data (e.g. API Setu) are also emerging that helps data flow smoothly and securely across domains.
They are also defining structures or organizations that specialize in data and bring on table required data management and data sciences skills. There are great examples in the domains of smart city mission, water management, crop management, oil and gas, banking etc. It is clearly a wave that many would ride as data becomes available and a clear case of using the data for better governance emerges.
Such initiatives shall help in defining policies, taking a more granular approach, feeding back the ground results and a speedier course correction - all put together a stronger governance mechanism to manage national resources for achieving greater benefits for whom it is intended.
As the trio of automation, analytics wide variety of data – transactional, transactions. This paradigm requires and is yet available in suitable
analytics and artificial intelligence plays out over time, a data first paradigm shall evolve. With a transactional, operational and social is openly available and tamed, data will trigger processes and paradigm requires a functional data layer, that uses standard definitions, maintains security and privacy suitable form for broader set of stakeholders to put it to good use.
Cyber security and threats are constantly competing. As newer threats emerge and are ready to disrupt the systems for their gains, organizations are also gearing up to plug the gaps at the network, compute, applications, end points and data domains. They are also achieving integration in security products across these domains. Both IT and OT have a similar story. The problem does not end there, one also needs to consider the dark web, which is where a lot of stolen information is commercially available.
The threat encompasses multiple levels - personal, organizations, industry, and the country. The relevance of management of transactional data repositories and data leverage by analytics, AI/ ML to build capabilities that can help organizations become proactive i.e. be able to predict before a threat becomes real, is increasing. Cyber Security shall continue to expand in terms of its scope, as well as become more proactive.
Citizen experience has been a neglected aspect till recently. But it is changing now. The citizen experience is defined by many dimensions e.g., aesthetics and ease of use (of the website or the app), speed and availability (of the web site or the app), being multi-channel (and even omni channel), speed of service delivery etc.
Many steps are being taken to enhance the experience – e.g., adoption of standard web or app templates which have been optimized by putting in great efforts and adhering to the best international standards, adoption of modern infrastructure and applications management to identify and remove glitches faster, use of technology to automate the mundane tasks and use of AI/ ML for leveraging data to the hilt for building predictability at the systemic level.
Citizen Experience is emerging as a key element of digital projects and shall receive the required attention.
The adage that a chain is as strong as its weakest link. The same is true for the business or governance value chain. The positive results of the digitalization in one part of the value chain may go completely underleveraged if another area is still following old ways of working. Hence, each part of the value chain must become equally stronger with digital.
Examples of value chain integration are available in oil and gas, energy and power, metals and mining, manufacturing sectors where value chain issues are becoming very critical. Similar examples can also be seen in governance domains like PDS, fertilizers etc.
That’s the reason why most of them are looking at strengthening their entire value chain - ideally from suppliers’ suppliers to customers’ customers.
Digital Factory is a concept where machines, operating processes, and equipments embrace digital by embedding sensors for collecting vital operational data, add it with the process data, deploy analytics, AI and ML, and develop people skills to build capabilities to enhance operational performance in terms of efficiency, productivity, and optimization.
Sectors such as oil and gas, energy and power, metals and mining, manufacturing PSUs are working on conceptualizing and designing digital factories. The concept of Digital Factory is steadily and gradually evolving on the ground across these sectors.
9. Digital is Becoming an Engine of Employment but will Demand New Skills
Many digital initiatives involve innovative ways to solve a problem. E.g. Kisan Drone by IFFCO is an initiative where drones will be used by thousands of rural individuals to spray nano urea in the agricultural fields. It involves many individuals to gain the skills of flying a drone for nano urea spraying and hence has the potential to generate employment.
Similar example can be taken from ‘data led governance’ perspective where many data scientists shall be required who have the know-how of data analytics, AI, ML etc. Many skilled individuals in the cyber security domain data shall be required to make sense of the results thrown by AI/ ML use on security and network. There can be many examples that support this point of growth in employment and need for newer skills.
Basic level objectives include performance, efficiency, productivity and reach, while higher level objectives include sustainability, corruption eradication, transparency, safety, inclusion, innovation, unleashing of human potential etc.
While majority of digital initiatives work towards base level objectives, there will be increasing use of digital for the higher-level objectives. There are examples today that are addressing the new imperatives, either along with baseline imperatives or in a standalone manner.
In many cases the higher level objectives are subtle in terms of their presence. With time, these will become more pronounced.
32 GEMS OF DIGITAL INDIA 2024
API Setu
DataSmart Cities
e-Counselling
GST Prime
iRAD/ e-DAR
Judgement Search Portal
Kisan Drone
Meri Panchayat
PARIVESH
PM- Surya Ghar - Muft Bijli Yojana
The Academic {BlockChain} Documents (ABCD)
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India
Ministry of Housing and Uban Affairs, Government of India
NIC, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India
NIC, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India
Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
IFFCO
Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India
Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India
Ministry of New and Renewal Energy, Government of India
CBSE, Ministry of Education, Government of India
State Bank of India
ABDM FHIR Connector
Advanced Process Control
Control Tower Project
Court Case Monitoring System
Digital Transformation of Healthcare Services
Disha Dashboard
e-Chhawani Project
Grievance Appellate Committee
India Handmade
Krishi Tatkal Rinn
MeriPehchaan
National Digital Library of India 3.0
PM CARES for Children Portal
Poshan Tracker
Samaghri e-Pravaah
Schools Safety MIS
State Public Procurement Portal - Assam
Tank Truck Blacklisting with Blockchain
Ufill
UPAg
CDAC, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India
Indian Oil Corporation Limited
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
Chandigarh Administration
Ministry of Railways, Government of India
Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
Ministry of Defence, Government of India
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India
Punjab National Bank
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India
Ministry of Education, Government of India
Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India
Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
Government of Himachal Pradesh
NIC & Government of Assam
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India
Shri Vishnu Chandra
Former Deputy Director General, National Informatics Centre
A professional with rich experience in Geospatial Technology Services & Operations and is one of the prominent innovators and scientists in India. Managed large number of Digital Platform Projects of the Government.
Shri Sharat Sahai Mathur
Former Group General Manager at Centre for Railway Information Systems
IT specialist with extensive experience of working in the Railway, Logistics and Manufacturing sector. Skilled in Enterprise Architecture, IT Strategy, Business Process Improvement, and IT in Supply Chain Management.
Dr Kapil Dev Singh
CEO,
Coeus Age
Research scholar with rich experience of leading research organizations and managing research studies– both academic and industry. Authored several academic papers and books on Research Methods, Digital Enterprise and Leadership.
We are a fast growing research and consulting organization that is continuously developing actionable insights for the business and government leaders to help them build value amid digital disruption. Coeus Age has completed 10 years in 2021, a decade marked by collaboration,hard work and innovation.
