Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance, or UMANG: A Transformative Government Project

UMANG, which stands for Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance, is a key initiative by the Government of India that was launched with the vision of promoting e-governance and making government services accessible to citizens through digital platforms. Introduced in November 2017, the UMANG app is designed to integrate various public services into one seamless mobile application, making government services more accessible, user-friendly, and efficient.

This project is part of the government’s broader vision of Digital India, which aims to empower citizens by providing digital infrastructure and simplifying access to government services.

Vision and Objectives of UMANG

The primary goal of UMANG is to create a single platform that consolidates multiple government services, making them easily accessible to the average citizen. Before the launch of UMANG, people had to navigate through numerous websites, apps, or physical offices to access different services provided by various departments. UMANG simplifies this by offering more than 1,200 services from over 100 departments and 21 states through one application.

The objectives of UMANG include:

1. Convenience: Making it simpler for citizens to obtain government services and allowing them to do so whenever and wherever they choose.
2. Unified Platform: Consolidating various services under one platform to avoid the need for multiple apps and websites.
3. Promotion of Digital India: Accelerating digital adoption by providing a user-friendly, mobile-first solution to governance.
4. Inclusivity: Ensuring that digital services are available in multiple languages and to people across urban and rural areas.

Key Features of UMANG

UMANG stands out due to its wide range of services, intuitive design, and accessibility across multiple platforms. Some of its key features include:

1. Multi-Platform Access: UMANG is available on various platforms, including Android, iOS, web, and even through SMS and IVR (Interactive Voice Response). This multi-platform accessibility ensures that a larger demographic, including those with limited access to smartphones or the internet, can still utilize the services.
2. Wide Range of Services: UMANG integrates services from various government departments. These services span different sectors, including education, healthcare, finance, agriculture, utility bills, passport services, and pension schemes. For instance, citizens can check their Provident Fund balance, apply for a new PAN card, or book a gas cylinder—all through one app.
3. Multilingual Support: India is a multilingual nation with a wide variety of languages spoken in its many states. UMANG caters to this diversity by supporting multiple languages, making it accessible to people in rural and semi-urban areas where English or Hindi may not be the primary language.
4. User-Centric Design: UMANG is designed to be user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that guides users through various processes. The app also provides personalized notifications and alerts, ensuring that users are informed about the status of their requests or services.
5. Security and Privacy: Given the sensitive nature of many government services, UMANG is built with robust security protocols. The app uses two-factor authentication (2FA), encryption, and other security measures to ensure that personal data is protected. Additionally, the app is Aadhaar-enabled, allowing for easier authentication of identity for certain services.

The sheer number of services that UMANG provides is one of its strongest features. Some of the key services available through the app include:

1. EPFO (Employee Provident Fund Organization): Citizens can access their EPF account, check their balance, view passbook details, and raise claims.
2. Passport Services: Users can apply for a new passport, track the application status, and even schedule appointments for passport interviews.
3. PAN Services: The app allows users to apply for a new PAN card or check the status of their PAN application.
4. Tax and Bill Payments: UMANG offers services for paying utility bills like electricity and water, as well as tax payments for goods and services (GST) and income tax.
5. Health Services: Integration with Ayushman Bharat allows citizens to check their eligibility and avail benefits under this health insurance scheme.
6. Education and Scholarships: Students can access services from the National Scholarship Portal, check application status, and find relevant scholarship schemes.
7. Farmer Services: Farmers can use UMANG to access agricultural information, such as weather forecasts, crop prices, and government schemes like PM-KISAN.

Impact of UMANG on Citizens

Since its founding, UMANG has significantly improved India’s public service delivery and governance. It has reduced the need for physical visits to government offices, thereby cutting down on time and effort for citizens. This is particularly beneficial for individuals living in remote areas or those with limited access to traditional government services.

The app has democratized access to essential services, making them available to people across different socio-economic backgrounds. By centralizing services and making them digital, it has also reduced the risk of corruption and inefficiencies that were often present in manual, paper-based processes.

Moreover, it’s integration with Aadhaar has simplified the verification and authentication process for services that require identity proof, such as pension schemes or subsidy programs. This streamlining of processes has further contributed to transparency and trust in the government’s digital initiatives.

Challenges and Future Directions

While UMANG has been largely successful, there are still challenges to be addressed. These include improving digital literacy, especially in rural areas where smartphone usage and internet access are still limited. Additionally, despite offering a multilingual platform, further expansion of language support could make the app even more inclusive.

Going forward, the government plans to expand the range of services available on UMANG and further integrate it with emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain to enhance security and user experience. The potential to integrate state-level services across all Indian states can also greatly enhance its reach.

Conclusion

UMANG is a powerful embodiment of Digital India’s mission to bring governance to the fingertips of every citizen. By consolidating multiple services in one app, the government has not only made these services more accessible but has also contributed to a more transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly administration. As the app evolves and expands, UMANG is set to play an even more central role in how citizens interact with their government in the digital age.

Stay tuned for more updates…