DPI Brief — March 23, 2026

Today’s DPI Updates (7 Layers)

L1: Identity & Authentication

Aadhaar Coverage Reaches 1.44 Billion: India’s Aadhaar identification system has achieved near-universal coverage with over 1.44 billion numbers generated as of March 2026, effectively covering the entire population. This foundational DPI layer continues to power authentication across banking, government services, and digital payments. The scale enables seamless eKYC processes that have transformed financial inclusion and service delivery across India. ¹

L2: Payments & Financial Rails

UPI Global Expansion Continues: India is expanding UPI (Unified Payments Interface) globally, strengthening its position in fintech innovation. The domestic UPI ecosystem processed over 10 billion transactions monthly as the infrastructure matures. International deployments in countries like UAE, Singapore, and Nepal demonstrate the model’s adaptability. However, experts note ongoing concerns around cybersecurity risks and digital divide that require continued attention. ²

L3: Documents & Data Exchange

DigiLocker 2026: Digital Document Ecosystem Maturing: DigiLocker continues to solidify its role as India’s central digital document repository. Recent updates emphasize the importance of keeping Aadhaar details current for seamless verification. The platform now supports broader document categories including Aadhaar, PAN, driving license, vehicle registration, and educational certificates. Government agencies, banks, and educational institutions increasingly accept DigiLocker documents, reducing physical document verification overhead. The eSign feature based on Aadhaar enables digital signing of government and banking documents without physical presence. ³

L4: Commerce & Logistics

ONDC Driving MSME E-Commerce Growth: A McKinsey report projects that India’s e-commerce share of retail could increase from ~6% to 11% by 2030, with MSMEs accounting for nearly half this growth. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) plays a critical role in lowering entry barriers and expanding market access for smaller businesses. The D2C channel currently accounts for $10-12 billion in e-commerce sales and is growing three times faster than traditional marketplaces. Large e-commerce platforms are expected to reach $100 billion in sales by 2030. ⁴

L5: Sectoral Infrastructure

NMC Mandates ABHA ID for Healthcare Services: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has mandated Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID for OPD, IPD, and Emergency patients in medical colleges across India. This directive represents a significant push toward数字化 health infrastructure, requiring all patients to link their health records to their ABHA. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) continues to expand AI integration for public health governance and policy planning. ⁵

L6: Governance & Grievance

Digital Governance Platforms Expand Access: Government digital platforms continue to streamline citizen services. The National Single Window System integrates with DigiLocker for document verification, reducing administrative workload for business approvals and permits. CPGRAMS and eOffice platforms maintain steady operations for grievance redressal and government workflows.

L7: Security, Privacy & Trust

Supreme Court Issues Notice on DPDP Act Challenge: The Supreme Court of India has issued notice to the Centre on a petition challenging provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. The petition questions both the law and the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, arguing they dilute safeguards recognized under the Supreme Court’s Right to Privacy judgment. Key concerns include the absence of clear exemptions for journalistic activities and the composition of the Data Protection Board. The Centre’s response is due March 23, 2026. ⁶

Sources