Now access Digilocker services on WhatsApp

In an initiative to make government services more accessible and simple, MyGov on Monday announced that citizens will now be able to use the MyGov Helpdesk on WhatsApp to access the Digilocker service. This includes creating and authenticating their Digilocker account, downloading documents such as PAN card, driving license, vehicle registration certificate, among others, all on WhatsApp.

There are over 100 million people already registered on Digilocker and more than 5 billion documents have been issued till date.

DigiLocker, an initiative under the Narendra Modi government's Digital India programme, aims to digitally empower millions of Indians by helping them access authentic documents and information, right from within their phones. This is in line with the Centre's vision to streamline and improve delivery of public services.

"Citizens can now access Digilocker services on the MyGov Helpdesk on WhatsApp. Citizens can now download Digilocker documents such as PAN card, driving license, vehicle registration certificate, among others," the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said in a release.

Digilocker will be an important citizen service offered by MyGov on WhatsApp to help promote digital inclusion and efficient governance, it said.

MyGov Helpdesk, will now offer a suite of services for integrated citizen support and efficient governance, starting with Digilocker services. The new service will enable citizens to access documents like PAN card, driving licence, CBSE Class X passing certificate, vehicle registration certificate (RC), insurance policy, Class X marksheet, Class XII marksheet as per their ease and convenience.

How to use Digilocker services on WhatsApp

WhatsApp users across the country can use the chatbot by simply sending 'Namaste or Hi or Digilocker' to the WhatsApp number +91 9013151515.

With new additions like Digilocker, the MyGov chatbot on WhatsApp aims to build a comprehensive administrative support system for citizens to access resources and essential services that are digitally inclusive, the ministry said.

Offering Digilocker services on the MyGov Helpdesk is a natural progression and a step towards providing citizens with simplified access to essential services via WhatsApp’s easy and accessible platform, it added.

Since its launch in March 2020, the MyGov Helpdesk (earlier known as MyGov Corona Helpdesk) on WhatsApp has served as a critical instrument in fighting Covid-19 pandemic by offering people authentic sources of Covid-related information, along with critical uses like vaccine appointment bookings and vaccine certificate downloads. So far over 80 million people have reached out to the helpdesk, over 33 million vaccine certificates have been downloaded, and millions of vaccination appointments have been booked across the country.