International Journal of Business Management & Research - Volumes & Issues - Volume 16: June 2026, Issue 1

Digital Public Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Citizen-Centric Governance: A Public Value Framework From India

  • Published: June 2026
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Authors

Mr. Jaspreet Singh, Dr. Baldeep Singh and Dr. Tavneet K Reen

DOI Number

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Keywords

Digital Public Infrastructure; Citizen-Centric Governance; Public Value Theory; Digital Transformation; Public Administration; Digital Governance; India; Artificial Intelligence; Viksit Bharat 2047.

Abstract

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has emerged as a transformative governance paradigm that enables integrated, efficient, and citizen-centric public service delivery through interoperable digital ecosystems. India has developed one of the world’s most comprehensive DPI ecosystems through initiatives such as Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), DigiLocker, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), CoWIN, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Government e-Marketplace (GeM), and the India AI Mission. While existing studies primarily examine individual digital initiatives or technological efficiency, limited attention has been given to understanding DPI as an integrated governance ecosystem that creates public value and strengthens citizen-centric governance. This study addresses this gap by developing a conceptual framework based on Public Value Theory.

The study adopts a qualitative, exploratory, and conceptual research design by synthesizing evidence from peer-reviewed literature, official government publications, and reports of international organizations, including the World Bank, OECD, and the United Nations. The findings indicate that India’s interoperable DPI ecosystem enhances institutional efficiency, transparency, accountability, financial inclusion, service accessibility, digital participation, public trust, and administrative responsiveness. Based on the analysis, the study proposes a Public Value Framework for Citizen-Centric Digital Governance comprising five interrelated dimensions: institutional efficiency, digital inclusion, transparency and accountability, citizen trust and security, and citizen participation.

The study contributes to the digital governance literature by conceptualizing Digital Public Infrastructure as an integrated governance ecosystem rather than a collection of individual digital initiatives and by extending Public Value Theory to the analysis of digital transformation. The proposed framework offers practical guidance for policymakers seeking to design inclusive, ethical, and sustainable digital governance systems while providing a foundation for future empirical research on Digital Public Infrastructure in India and other developing economies.

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How to cite

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Journal

International Journal of Business Management & Research

ISSN

2249-2143

Periodicity

Bi-Annually

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