Another challenge of DPI is delivering public value: Experts at IIIT-B workshop

As India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) ecosystem expands beyond identity, payments and data exchange, policymakers, researchers and industry leaders are increasingly focusing on how these systems translate into measurable outcomes in sectors such as healthcare, finance, education and governance.

This shift was the focus of a workshop titled “Scaling DPI: From Identity to Actionable Data” organized by the International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT-B) on Friday.

Co-chaired by S. Rajagopalan, Professor, IIIT-B, and Ganesh Mani, Adjunct Faculty, Carnegie Mellon University, the workshop explored how DPI is evolving from building basic digital systems to creating broader social impact and economic value.

Deepika Mogilishetty, Head Policy and Partnerships, EkStep Foundation, addressed the participants and reflected on the evolution of India’s digital stack through the lens of inclusion and public value. Drawing lessons from initiatives like Aadhaar and the Open Network for Digital Commerce, she argued that digital infrastructure should ultimately be measured by the opportunities it creates rather than the number of transactions it processes.

“The cost of invisibility is not abstract. It is in time, it is in dignity and it is very often in life,” she said, emphasizing the role of digital systems in improving access to public services, financial opportunities and social benefits.

Prof. Rajagopalan noted that having demonstrated its ability to operate at scale, DPI is now entering a phase where it focuses on understanding outcomes, using data responsibly and creating long-term public value.

Prof. Mani echoed this sentiment and emphasized the importance of collaboration across the ecosystem. “The next phase of DPI will be shaped not only by technology, but also by sustained collaboration between industry, academia and other stakeholders,” he said.

The workshop hosted discussions and debates on a variety of topics, including healthcare, the financial services sector, the role of artificial intelligence (AI), governance and privacy.

Experts including Sunita Nadhamuni, Strategic Advisor, Medtronic Labs, Vanathi Gopalakrishnan, Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh, and Divya Raj, Director of Solutions, eGov Foundation, explored how digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence can enhance healthcare delivery and support frontline workers, as well as address last-mile implementation challenges.

In the financial services sector, speakers discussed how digital platforms such as the Unified Lending Interface and Account Aggregator could simplify access to credit and reduce operational costs for lenders.

The workshop also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in improving digital accessibility.

Discussions on governance and privacy have focused on the need to balance innovation and trust. IIIT-B’s Srinath Srinivasa and Shalabh Jain, Center of Data for Public Good, Indian Institute of Science, discussed the consent management framework housed at IIIT-B to explore privacy, consent and security as interrelated components of trust.

The workshop concluded with a consensus that while India has successfully built digital infrastructure on an unprecedented scale, the next challenge is to ensure that these systems deliver meaningful results and create long-term public value.

Published – 20 Jun 2026 0:15 AM IST