DigiLocker: Here's all you need to know about its features

As India is taking giant leaps towards digitisation – the government is playing a pioneering role in the transformation. Backed by out-of-the-box ideas and innovations from the robust IT/ITes sector, the government is emphasising constant evolution, innovation, and adoption of new methodologies across sectors. One of the path-breaking ideas that have made tracking and storage of paper-based documents a thing of the past is DigiLocker.

Traditionally, all our important documents, including IDs, banking documents, insurance policies, asset papers, medical history, etc are paper-based. Keeping all these documents secured in one place, while having access to these in real-time has always proved to be a tough task. DigiLocker is a one-stop solution aimed at resolving your task of organising your documents digitally.

Governed by Rule 9A of the IT rules, DigiLocker provides storage and access facilities for authentic digital documents to users. A significant step towards Digital Empowerment for all – government gave its consent for using documents uploaded on DigiLocker in place of original physical documents.

A Digital India Corporation initiative under the Ministry of Electronics & IT ministry, Digilocker benefits various agencies as well.

Paperless Governance: Reduces administrative overhead by reducing the use of paper-based documents, a significant step towards achieving paperless governance.

Curtailed Verification Time: Agencies can access e-documents in real-time via DigiLocker from issuing authority hence curtailing verification turn-around time.

Secure Authentication: Provides secure document exchange between issuer and verifier based on the authentication model similar to payment gateway.

5-STEP PROCESS TO GET A DIGILOCKER

— Sign-up for a DigiLocker with your details on https://digilocker.gov.in/

— Register your mobile number for authentication

— Verify your mobile number through OTP

— Select username and password

— Get confirmation of your DigiLocker on registered mobile number & email id

DECODING KEY SECTIONS OF DIGILOCKER

To make document exchange seamless and traceable, the e-documents on your DigiLocker are sectioned into 3 groups and can be accessed at a click:

Issued Documents – Government and DigiLocker registered agency issued documents. These documents are uploaded by the agencies with the user’s consent.

Uploaded Documents – Self-uploaded documents that can be updated regularly and shared with respective authorities.

Shared Documents – Documents shared (on request) with authorities via email.

HOW SECURE IS DIGILOCKER?

In recent times, data is as valuable as gold, if not more. Securing individual data as well as organizational data is of paramount importance. Hence, DigiLocker – your repository of e-documents is armed with various security measures.

Data Encryption –A 256-bit secure socket layer is used for encrypting data exchange.

Aadhar Based Authentication – To access e-documents issued by agencies, users need to go through Aadhar Biometric authentication and OTP authentication on mobile devices.

Mandatory Consent-Based Document Exchange – Documents stored on DigiLocker can be accessed by agencies or verifiers only after securing explicit consent of the user. The user receives real-time updates on account activities through message or email and can flag off concerned authorities in case of discrepancies.

IMPORTANT AGENCY INTEGRATION

The two-way document exchange platform is gaining popularity not only amongst individual users but also amongst authorities across verticals. Authorities ranging from Ministries to State education boards, from Oil corporations to Insurance companies are vying for integration with DigiLocker to ensure prudent operation and hassle free services.

Here are two key agency integrations that can ease our day-to- day activities:

1 – Digital RC & DL – In partnership with the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, DigiLocker hosts digital driving license & vehicle registration certificates for users. By its integration with the National Register, DigiLocker provides access to digital RC and DL for users on their devices. The digital RC and DL can be spot verified by authorities by validating the Digital Signature of MoRTH or by scanning the QR code on digital documents.

2 – Digital Aadhaar – In partnership with UIDAI, DigiLocker is enabling real-time access to e-Aadhar to its users. e-Aadhar will be available to the users once they link their DigiLocker account with the Aadhar number. The digital Aadhar will allow users to share, integrate or link it with any other agency.