Deloitte-CII report traces India’s rise as a global digital leader

Deloitte India and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have launched a report, titled ‘Catalysing India’s rise as a global digital leader’. It is an extensive study centered around the current landscape of rapid adoption of technology, an increase in the quality of Internet connectivity and the government’s push towards establishing a digital economy. Through use cases, it also brings interesting movements, including ONDC, 5G infrastructure, healthcare and GCC success stories shaping up the world, with more investments, interoperability, and the ease of doing business.

Commenting on the launch, Peeyush Vaish, Partner and TMT Industry Leader, Deloitte South Asia, said, “Digital technologies have brought in transparency, competitiveness across the globe, and a broader sense of societal well-being − both for consumers and corporate India. With the nation taking lead on prudent policies and regulations like DPDP and Digital Act, as well as with the power of innovation and self-reliance, digitisation extends far beyond a technological transformation. The need is for the ecosystem to collaborate for us to bring affordable, secure and accessible future to the new India as digitalisation isn’t just about growth; it is about inclusion and equity.  Today, the country has connected 1.7 billion people, stored 5.7 billion documents, and with apps like Aarogya Setu, India is setting an example of rapid transformation, bridging the gap through digital literacy. The Deloitte-CII report unveils how “digital technology” is catalysing India’s rise as a global digital leader. Through interesting use cases, the report brings interesting movements, including ONDC, 5G infrastructure, healthcare or GCC success stories paving the path to a progressive economy enabling the world.”

Some key areas covered in the report include:

• India’s Digital Prowess: Leading the Global Charge with ONDC, 5G, and Healthcare Innovations: With a focus on key pillars such as the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), 5G infrastructure, and groundbreaking healthcare innovations, India's digital prowess is not only driving economic growth but also fostering inclusivity, transparency, and resilience.
• Beyond Tech: India's Digital Revolution - Affordability, Security, and Societal Well-Being:India's digital revolution transcends mere technology, encompassing affordability, security, and enhancing societal well-being. This transformation is not just reshaping the nation's economic landscape but also fostering inclusivity, transparency, and competitiveness on a global scale. Digital technology is connecting remote villages and small businesses to the broader economy. The gig economy is thriving, and individuals in smaller towns have access to digital banking, healthcare, and talent opportunities.
• Digitalisation Reshaping India’s Business Landscape with Transparency and Global Competitiveness:5G has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of use cases while improving the quality of life for individuals across the country. More importantly, from a business-to-business (B2B) perspective, the full value of 5G is yet to be unlocked. Given that only 10–15 percent of urban India has 5G coverage and that covering the entire Indian subcontinent would require Indian telcos to spend approximately US$ 19.5 billion15 in developing advanced 5G infrastructure by 2025 to strengthen their wireless infrastructure, the way forward will require a collaborative approach.
• Securing India’s Digital Future – Robust Regulation and Cybersecurity Measures in Focus:The ability to trust a technology providing a service must be supported by various criteria, such as strong cybersecurity and safety for assets, effective privacy protection, transparent deployment, auditability, technological compatibility, the ability to seek restitution in the event of harm and fairness in application. Unless these issues are addressed, their adoption and replication of India’s success across geographies will remain limited.
• Government Taking the Lead with New Legislation for a Resilient Digital Ecosystem:The DPDPA, rolled out in August 2023, recognises the importance of safeguarding personal data and processing it for lawful purposes and development. It ensures citizens' rights are respected in the digital realm and encourages responsible data handling. The forthcoming Digital India Bill 2023 is designed to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for India's digital landscape. It addresses emerging challenges like deep fakes, cybercrimes, data theft, and unethical use of AI, ensuring a secure digital environment.