World is looking at India for next digital breakthrough: PM Modi

On the occasion of India’s journey of 10 years towards Digital India, PM Narendra Modi has called the country’s innovators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers to build for the world in the country’s ascent to global digital leadership.

“Ten years ago, we embarked on a bold journey into uncharted territory with great conviction. While decades were spent doubting the ability of Indians to use technology, we changed this approach and trusted the ability of Indians to use technology,” PM Modi said in a post on LinkedIn on Tuesday.

“The next decade will be even more transformative. We are moving from digital governance to global digital leadership, from India-first to India-for-the-world. The world is looking at India for the next digital breakthrough,” Modi added.

What started as a “mere government program,” as Modi recounts, Digital India has now become a people’s movement, playing a central role in country’s self-reliance.

“When the intent is right, innovation empowers the less empowered. When the approach is inclusive, technology brings change in the lives of those on the margins. This belief laid the foundation for Digital India: a mission to democratise access, build inclusive digital infrastructure, and opportunities for all,” Modi said.

India has witnessed a dramatic digital transformation over the past decade, with internet connections rising from 25 crore in 2014 to over 97 crore today. In his post, PM Modi outlined key achievements from the central government’s initiatives.

Powered by India Stack, platforms like UPI now handle over 100 billion transactions annually—nearly half of the world’s real-time digital payments. Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) have moved ₹44 lakh crore directly to beneficiaries, saving ₹3.48 lakh crore in leakages.

Initiatives like SVAMITVA have issued over 2.4 crore property cards and mapped 6.47 lakh villages, resolving long-standing land ownership issues. Platforms like ONDC and GeM are reshaping digital commerce by eliminating middlemen and expanding market access, with ONDC crossing 200 million transactions and GeM hitting ₹1 lakh crore GMV in just 50 days. India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)—including Aadhaar, CoWIN, DigiLocker, FASTag, and PM-WANI—is now globally recognised. CoWIN enabled the world’s largest vaccination drive with 220 crore digital certificates, while DigiLocker serves 54 crore users with over 775 crore documents. As G20 President, India launched the Global DPI Repository and a $25 million Social Impact Fund to help developing nations build inclusive digital ecosystems.

“India now ranks among the top 3 startup ecosystems in the world, with over 1.8 lakh startups. But this is more than a startup movement, it is a tech renaissance. India is doing extremely well when it comes to AI skill penetration and AI talent concentration among our youth. India has championed humanity-first AI. The New Delhi Declaration on AI promotes innovation with responsibility. We are establishing AI Centres of Excellence across the country,” Modi added.

Modi emphasised that the country should now focus on building innovation ‘empowers,’ solves for the world which aims for upliftment for all.