Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is a government body in India that is responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to the IT, electronics, and related sectors. MeitY was established to ensure the development of these sectors and promote digital governance, innovation, and the growth of the electronics and IT industries within India. Its role includes supporting research and development (R&D), enhancing cybersecurity, and providing digital solutions across various sectors.
 

MeitY’s vision is to lead the digital transformation in India, empowering citizens, enhancing governance, and contributing to the country’s socio-economic development. The Ministry works on ensuring inclusive digital growth, driving the electronics and IT sector while strengthening cybersecurity and emerging technologies. MeitY aims to increase the adoption of digital services, develop robust digital infrastructure, and provide services that contribute to a knowledge-based economy.
 

The Ministry oversees several major initiatives such as the Digital India Programme, which aims to create a digitally empowered society by providing essential services like internet access, e-Government services, and digital literacy across the country. Another key initiative is the Common Service Centres (CSCs), which deliver government services to rural and remote areas. MeitY also promotes the development of electronics manufacturing through the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, supporting local manufacturing and reducing dependency on imports.
 

MeitY also plays a pivotal role in the development of Aadhaar, the world's largest biometric-based digital identity system, managed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Additionally, the Ministry is responsible for implementing cybersecurity measures and enhancing India’s participation in internet governance at the global level.

The Ministry’s leadership includes the Hon'ble Minister, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, who also holds additional portfolios as the Minister for Railways and Information & Broadcasting, and Shri Jitin Prasada, the Minister of State. Together, they lead the Ministry’s efforts to drive India’s digital growth and ensure that India remains a leader in the digital economy.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), originally known as the Department of Electronics (DoE), was formed in 1970 under the Government of India with the primary goal of promoting electronics and IT within the country. In its early years, the department was primarily focused on promoting research and development in the field of electronics. It was also tasked with improving the manufacturing of electronic equipment in India, reducing reliance on imports, and developing the country’s domestic technology ecosystem.
 

In 1984, the Department of Electronics began working on the establishment of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which would play a key role in providing e-governance and network services to various government departments and agencies. The NIC helped in the development of various computerised systems within the government and enabled the introduction of online services.

Over the years, the Department of Electronics expanded its role. In 2000, it was renamed the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), reflecting the growing importance of information technology in India. By this time, the Ministry had started focusing on the digital sector, which was growing rapidly across the world. It was responsible for implementing policies related to information technology, software, and IT-enabled services (ITeS), as well as improving the country’s position in global IT markets.
 

One of the key achievements during this period was the launch of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) in 2006, which aimed to improve the delivery of government services to citizens through the use of information technology. This initiative provided a framework for integrating IT in public administration and led to the creation of various government portals for services, such as passport applications, income tax filing, and more.
 

In 2016, the Ministry underwent a significant restructuring, with the creation of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as a standalone entity, separate from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. This change highlighted the growing importance of electronics and IT in driving India’s economic and digital development. The establishment of MeitY allowed for a more focused approach to the sector and its specific needs, especially with the rapid advances in technology globally.
 

In recent years, MeitY has been at the forefront of India’s Digital India Programme, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. The programme aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy, with a focus on improving internet access, digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and e-Governance services. Through Digital India, MeitY has worked on various initiatives, including the creation of Common Service Centres (CSCs) in rural and remote areas, where citizens can access government services digitally.

Additionally, MeitY has played a crucial role in supporting India’s cybersecurity framework. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), which operates under MeitY, is the country’s nodal agency responsible for handling cybersecurity threats. It has been responsible for coordinating responses to major cyber threats and incidents, ensuring the protection of India’s digital infrastructure.
 

In 2020, MeitY launched the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to develop a strong semiconductor and display ecosystem within the country. This mission aims to make India a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing and reduce its dependence on imports. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve domestic manufacturing capabilities, which is also supported by the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme launched by MeitY. The PLI scheme focuses on boosting domestic electronics and IT hardware manufacturing and has been crucial in attracting global investments.
 

MeitY has also worked to position India as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. The IndiaAI mission, launched under MeitY, aims to build a comprehensive AI ecosystem in India by promoting AI research, development, and innovation. As part of this, MeitY has partnered with global tech companies and invested in the development of AI-based solutions in sectors like healthcare, education, and governance.

In 2021, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw became the Cabinet Minister for MeitY, bringing a renewed focus on innovation, infrastructure development, and international collaboration. Under his leadership, MeitY has focused on strengthening digital infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and ensuring a secure cyberspace for citizens. As part of this focus, MeitY has worked on developing India’s 5G infrastructure, quantum computing, and blockchain technologies.
 

At present, MeitY continues to lead India’s push for digital transformation. The Ministry is actively involved in developing policies related to electronic hardware manufacturing, AI, and cybersecurity. Through its numerous initiatives, MeitY aims to empower citizens, promote innovation, and ensure the country’s growth in the global digital economy. MeitY’s efforts in e-Governance, digital literacy, and cybersecurity remain crucial in shaping India’s future as a digitally empowered nation.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has several key goals and purposes aimed at shaping the digital future of India.
 

One of the primary goals of MeitY is to promote the growth and development of the electronics and IT industries in India. This includes encouraging innovation, supporting research and development (R&D), and fostering the production of electronic goods and IT-enabled services. MeitY works to ensure that India becomes a global leader in these sectors, reducing dependency on imports and building strong domestic capabilities.

Another key purpose is to empower citizens through digital governance. MeitY focuses on making government services accessible to all citizens, especially in rural and remote areas, through digital means. The Digital India Programme, launched by MeitY, aims to improve internet access, enhance digital infrastructure, and promote digital literacy across the country. This helps ensure that all people, regardless of their location, have equal access to government services and information.
 

MeitY also plays a vital role in securing India’s cyberspace. With the increasing use of technology, protecting the country’s digital infrastructure from cyber threats has become a critical task. MeitY works with various agencies, such as the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), to identify and respond to cyber threats and ensure the safety of digital platforms in India.
 

Another significant goal of MeitY is to promote the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and quantum computing. Through initiatives like the IndiaAI mission, MeitY aims to build a strong AI ecosystem that can support various sectors, including healthcare, education, and governance, helping India compete globally in technological innovation.
 

In addition, MeitY works to improve India’s manufacturing capabilities in the electronics sector. Through schemes like the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI), MeitY encourages local production of electronics, thereby creating jobs and reducing India’s reliance on foreign imports.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has had a significant impact on India’s digital landscape. Its efforts in promoting e-Governance have made government services more accessible to citizens, particularly in remote areas. Through initiatives like the Digital India Programme, MeitY has improved internet access and digital literacy, empowering people to use technology for their benefit. This has enhanced transparency, reduced corruption, and made government services faster and more efficient.
 

MeitY’s work in cybersecurity has strengthened India’s ability to protect its digital infrastructure. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) responds to cyber threats, ensuring the safety of online transactions and government data. This has helped build trust in digital platforms and encouraged more people to engage with online services.

The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have boosted local manufacturing, creating jobs and reducing reliance on foreign imports. Additionally, MeitY’s focus on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing has positioned India as a competitive player in global innovation.