Mumbai, 12 August 2026

 

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha today, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Jitin Prasada, provided a detailed status update on the rapid digital transformation occurring across Maharashtra. The Minister underscored the strategic expansion of digital public infrastructure and e-Governance frameworks under the flagship Digital India programme, which has served to enhance service delivery and digital inclusion throughout the state since its inception in July 2015.

Expansion of Connectivity and Telecommunications Infrastructure

Addressing the advancements in digital accessibility, the Minister informed the House that India has achieved significant reductions in data tariffs, currently estimated at Rs. 8-10 per GB. This fiscal efficiency has catalyzed a substantial increase in digital engagement. Key milestones include:

• Maharashtra accounts for more than 12.7 crore of the 109.27 crore national internet subscribers as of March 2026.
• Under the Mobile Connectivity Scheme, funded through the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), 2,821 mobile towers have been commissioned in the state as of June 30, 2026.
• The BharatNet Project has further strengthened rural connectivity, operationalizing Points of Presence (PoPs) across 739 Gram Panchayats in Maharashtra.

Digital Platforms and Financial Inclusion

Through synergistic efforts between Central and State governments, digital platforms have become instrumental in ensuring paperless administration and financial inclusion:

• Over 13 crore Aadhaar identities have been generated in Maharashtra to facilitate secure digital authentication.
• The state has recorded more than 4.46 crore Aadhaar-enabled registrations for DigiLocker services, streamlining access to authentic documents.
• Utilization of e-Signs has reached 18.33 crore instances, promoting contactless and legally valid digital transactions.
• The UMANG mobile application currently provides 61 specific services dedicated to the residents of Maharashtra.
• A robust network of 47,648 Common Services Centres (CSCs) is operational in the state, with 876 centers specifically serving the Mumbai region as of May 2026.

Capacity Building and Local Digital Ecosystems

The Government has prioritized digital literacy, with 53 lakh candidates in Maharashtra successfully trained under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) until March 31, 2024. Additionally, the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) has trained over 1.2 lakh candidates from the state over the preceding three financial years.

At the state level, the Government of Maharashtra has reinforced its digital governance framework through initiatives such as MahaNet, the State Wide Area Network (SWAN), and the Aaple Sarkar portal. Platforms like MahaDBT 2.0, Maha AI, and MAITRI continue to drive transparency and efficiency in administrative processes across the state.

Cybersecurity and Regulatory Frameworks

To ensure a resilient and secure digital environment, the Government continues to leverage mechanisms provided by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the Cyber Swachhta Kendra. The regulatory landscape has been further strengthened by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, with its governing Rules notified on November 13, 2025, establishing a robust framework for data privacy.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology also maintains active awareness campaigns regarding information security and cyber hygiene, including specific advisories on deepfakes. These resources are accessible to the public via official portals including www.staysafeonline.in, www.infosecawareness.in, and www.csk.gov.in.

 

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PIB Mumbai | Nikita Joshi/Yash Rane/Darshana Rane

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