DPI Brief — March 31, 2026
Today’s DPI Updates (7 Layers)
L1: Identity & Authentication
UIDAI Circular 3 of 2026: Streamlined Aadhaar Onboarding
UIDAI released Circular 3 of 2026 on March 23, establishing a structured two-stage onboarding framework for Authentication User Agencies (AUAs) and KYC User Agencies (KUAs). The circular mandates a standardized transition from pre-production to production environment, improving integration reliability for requesting entities accessing Aadhaar authentication services. 1
As of March 2026, more than 144 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated, reflecting deep integration into everyday governance and service delivery systems. 2
L2: Payments & Financial Rails
UPI Processes 21.70 Billion Transactions in January 2026
In January 2026 alone, UPI handled 21.70 billion transactions amounting to ₹28.33 lakh crore, demonstrating the robust scale of India’s real-time payments infrastructure. UPI, alongside other public digital payment systems, has significantly reduced transaction costs and enhanced financial inclusion across urban and rural landscapes. 3
In related payment news, PhonePe (India’s largest UPI platform) has shelved its IPO plans citing geopolitical uncertainty, while maintaining its leadership position with approximately 9.3 billion transactions in February 2026. 4
L3: Documents & Data Exchange
DigiLocker Continues Expansion
DigiLocker, India’s document digitisation platform, continues to serve as a critical layer in the DPI stack, enabling secure document exchange between citizens, government agencies, and private entities. The platform has integrated with over 500 issuer agencies for document verification.
L4: Commerce & Logistics
WTO E-Commerce Moratorium: Deadlock Continues
At the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Meeting in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the global e-commerce moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions has expired. India had indicated willingness to accept a two-year extension, but talks remain deadlocked with the United States. The expiry creates uncertainty for digital trade, though discussions will continue in Geneva. 5
L5: Sectoral Infrastructure
Census 2027: Self-Enumeration Begins April 1
The much-anticipated Census 2027 enters its first phase on April 1, with self-enumeration portals now live. For the first time, households can submit their details digitally through a dedicated web portal (se.census.gov.in) before enumerator visits. This represents a major shift toward digital-first census methodology, with self-enumeration open in Bengaluru from April 1-15 across all five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority. 6
L6: Governance & Grievance
CPGRAMS Integration Continues
The Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) continues to process citizen grievances across government departments. The platform has seen increased integration with state-level grievance portals, creating a unified grievance redressal ecosystem.
L7: Security, Privacy & Trust
MeitY Calls for Cyber Law Centres of Excellence
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a Call for Proposals for establishing Centres of Excellence for Cyber Laws, with submissions due April 22, 2026. The initiative aims to build legal and technical capacity for digital governance compliance and cybersecurity policy implementation. 7