UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 2nd July 2025

UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 2nd July 2025

Question

Digital technology has emerged as a powerful tool in transforming service delivery and promoting inclusive governance. In the context of women and child development, examine how technology-led initiatives by the government have enabled last-mile delivery, ensured transparency, and fostered empowerment. Also, discuss the role of various institutional stakeholders in this digital transformation. (15 marks, 250 words) 

Model Answer

Introduction:  

  • Technology has become a transformative enabler in governance, ensuring last-mile delivery, transparency, and inclusivity. In the context of social justice, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has leveraged Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to bridge systemic gaps in nutrition, education, legal protection, and entitlements for women and children - critical constituents of India’s demographic dividend. 

 Technology-led Empowerment: Enhancing Delivery, Transparency, and Empowerment: 

  •  Improving Access to Rights and Entitlements:  

  • Poshan Tracker (2021): A real-time data system for over 10.14 crore beneficiaries, ensuring efficient service delivery in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). 

  • PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): End-to-end paperless Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system delivering ₹5,000–₹6,000 to pregnant women. Over ₹19,000 crore disbursed to 4 crore+ women (MWCD, 2024). 

  • Facial recognition system in Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP): Ensures delivery to genuine beneficiaries, reducing leakages and fraud. 

  • Strengthening Protection Mechanisms: 

  • SHe-Box: Online complaint portal under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 – enables real-time redressal and transparent grievance tracking. 

  • Mission Shakti Dashboard & App: Digitally maps and integrates One Stop Centres (OSCs), providing emergency and legal aid to women in distress. 

  • Juvenile Justice Portal (CARINGS): Simplifies the child adoption process, increasing transparency and reducing delays. 

  • Enabling Capacity Building and Leadership: 

  • Saksham Anganwadi initiative: Upgrading 2 lakh Anganwadi centres with smart infrastructure and digital tools. 

  • Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi: E-learning modules for Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) to deliver Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). 

 Institutional Stakeholders and Their Roles: 

  • Government Ministries and Departments: 

  • MWCD & MoHFW: Implement digital health and nutrition programs. 

  • NITI Aayog: Monitors outcomes through District SDG Index and promotes DPI models.  

  • Frontline Workers: 

  • Anganwadi & ASHA workers: Trained in app-based service delivery, acting as the first line of digital governance. 

  • NGOs and SHGs: 

  • Partner in awareness campaigns, tech training, and community mobilization.  

  • E.g., Pradan and SEWA use digital literacy tools to train rural women in financial access and social rights. 

  • Institutional Frameworks: 

  • National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR): Tech-based monitoring of child rights violations. 

  • State Women Commissions: Often use integrated platforms to follow up on legal complaints. 

 Challenges: 

  • Digital Divide: Poor internet in tribal/rural areas limits effectiveness. 

  • NITI Aayog (2023) notes 30% of rural women lack smartphone access. 

  • Data Privacy & Consent: Need for robust data protection laws, especially with facial recognition and Aadhaar-linked data. 

  • Capacity Gaps: Anganwadi workers face challenges in digital literacy, despite training. 

  • Integration with Civil Society: Greater collaboration needed between government and NGOs/SHGs for last-mile digital literacy.  

 Way Forward: 

  • Digital Literacy Expansion: Integrate digital skills in Mission Shakti and Skill India for women workers. 

  • Data Protection Framework: Fast-track implementation of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. 

  • Public–Private Partnerships: Collaborate with tech firms for scalable, accessible tools. 

  • Impact Evaluation: Regular audits by NITI Aayog or Third-Party Evaluators for programs like PMMVY and Poshan Tracker. 

  • Gender Budgeting with Tech Indicators: Link fund allocations with tech outcomes in women and child schemes. 

 Conclusion:  

  • Technology has transformed the landscape of governance for women and children, not merely as a delivery tool but as an empowerment enabler. From real-time nutrition tracking to digital legal redressal, the integration of digital systems underlines the State’s commitment to inclusive growth, aligned with Viksit Bharat@2047. However, ensuring digital equity, privacy, and capacity-building will be critical to sustaining these gains and making India a truly digitally empowered society.