Creating India’s digital public infrastructure – Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability

Report on Digital Public Infrastructure and Sustainable Development Goals

Countries worldwide are increasingly challenged to develop sustainable economies and enhance citizen well-being amid evolving climate, political, and technological landscapes. Addressing these challenges aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those targeting poverty reduction, economic growth, and reduced inequalities.

Introduction to UIDAI and Digital Public Infrastructure

Nandan Nilekani, founding chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has pioneered efforts to digitize India’s economy, impacting 1.4 billion people. His work exemplifies progress toward SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 1 (No Poverty) by providing inclusive identification systems that enable access to essential services.

During the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Lecture Series on May 27, Nilekani presented UIDAI’s achievements and the potential for global application of similar digital public infrastructure (DPI) models. The lecture series fosters dialogue on sustainability research and impact.

Significance of Identification for Sustainable Development

• Identification is fundamental for accessing transportation, banking, and legal services.
• Absence of ID leads to social and economic exclusion, impeding SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
• UIDAI’s Aadhaar system addresses these barriers by providing biometric digital IDs.

Inclusive Technology for Societal Change

UIDAI launched Aadhaar, the world’s largest biometric ID system, alongside the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), facilitating financial inclusion and economic participation, directly supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering marginalized groups.

1. 1.4 billion residents have digital IDs enabling access to banking and government services.
2. 750 million individuals have opened bank accounts linked to Aadhaar, promoting financial transparency and reducing fraud.
3. Digital payments enhance safety and economic security for informal sector workers, such as street vendors.

Economic Mobility and Poverty Reduction

• Digital IDs enable rural farmers to access loans and markets, fostering sustainable agriculture (SDG 2).
• Electronic payment systems reduce cash handling risks and increase economic resilience.

Guardrails for Innovation and Data Protection

Inclusion and security are core principles in the deployment of DPI, ensuring equitable access regardless of technology availability (supporting SDG 10). The system’s open architecture promotes interoperability across applications, while regulatory collaboration safeguards data privacy, aligning with SDG 16.

• Systems operate seamlessly across different apps, enhancing user convenience and trust.
• Data protection frameworks prevent misuse and protect individual rights.
• Cloud-based storage of credentials supports SDG 9 by leveraging innovative infrastructure.

Global Expansion and Impact

Nilekani co-chairs the G20 taskforce on Digital Public Infrastructure, advocating for global adoption of DPI to accelerate sustainable development worldwide. This initiative supports SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering international collaboration.

• Countries like Estonia and Nigeria have implemented DPI models, demonstrating scalability.
• DPI enables leapfrogging traditional development pathways, essential for resource-scarce futures (SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production).
• Global coalition efforts aim to standardize digital IDs and payment systems to promote inclusive growth.

Applications Beyond Finance

Discussions highlighted potential DPI applications in healthcare (e.g., medical records), climate refugee support, and cyber threat mitigation, linking to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Ongoing projects include DPI Climate, focusing on digital energy grids that allow solar-powered households to sell excess energy, advancing SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Conclusion

Nilekani emphasized that societal transformation requires scalable, inclusive, and interoperable digital infrastructure that engages all community segments. This approach is critical to achieving multiple SDGs by enabling equitable access to economic opportunities and sustainable resources.

His vision to extend the DPI playbook globally represents a strategic pathway toward inclusive and sustainable development in the 21st century.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article discusses expanding economic opportunities and financial inclusion through digital identification and payment systems, which help reduce poverty.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • By enabling digital payments and access to banking for 750 million people, the article highlights fostering sustained economic growth and productive employment.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The development of digital public infrastructure (DPI) such as Aadhaar and UPI represents innovation and infrastructure development.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Providing IDs to marginalized populations and rural villagers promotes social and economic inclusion.
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Establishing secure identification systems and regulatory guardrails supports effective, accountable institutions and access to justice.
6. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The mention of DPI Climate and digital energy grids enabling solar-powered homes to sell excess energy links to clean energy access.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified in the Article

1. SDG 1 – Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women have equal rights to economic resources, including access to basic services and ownership.
2. SDG 8 – Target 8.10: Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance, and financial services for all.
3. SDG 9 – Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development.
4. SDG 10 – Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic status.
5. SDG 16 – Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
6. SDG 7 – Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 1.4: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line who have access to basic services such as identification and banking.
2. Indicator for SDG 8.10: Number of people with bank accounts and volume of electronic transactions conducted without fraud (e.g., 750 million accounts opened and secure electronic payments).
3. Indicator for SDG 9.1: Number and coverage of digital public infrastructure systems implemented (e.g., Aadhaar biometric ID system covering 1.4 billion people).
4. Indicator for SDG 10.2: Percentage of marginalized populations with official identification and access to financial services.
5. Indicator for SDG 16.6: Existence of regulatory frameworks and data protection guardrails ensuring secure and accountable digital systems.
6. Indicator for SDG 7.1: Number of households with access to renewable energy sources and ability to sell excess energy to the grid (e.g., solar-powered homes connected to digital energy grids).

4. Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: sustainability.stanford.edu