We often come across numerous applications advertised while using our mobile phone or tablet. If you are an Indian citizen, some government-authorised applications can make your life easier. From digital identity and payments to travel, healthcare, education, and grievance redressal, these apps reduce paperwork, save time, and improve access to government services. Here are our top 10 picks:
DigiLocker securely stores e-documents and the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) link of e-documents issued by various departments. As DigiLocker is recognised under the IT Act, 2000, documents stored in it are legally valid across government departments.
This app helps you avoid carrying original documents like educational certificates, driving licenses, Voter IDs, PAN cards, etc. The e-copies of the documents are considered valid on par with the original documents.
Organisations registered with DigiLocker or government authorities can access the scanned copies of the documents for verification.
The e-Sign facility provided as part of the DigiLocker system can digitally sign e-documents.
UMANG or Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance is a popular mobile application that streamlines all services of the state and union governments at your fingertips. It offers a wide range of services, including checking your PF balance, payment of electricity, water, LPG bills, e-Sanjeevani (teleconsultation with your doctor), apply for PAN, booking train ticket, etc.
mParivahan serves as a comprehensive digital platform for vehicle and driver-related services in India. You can generate digital versions of your Registration Certificate (RC) and Driving License (DL). According to government guidelines, these digital copies are legally valid under the Motor Vehicles Act and are accepted by traffic authorities. You can renew your driving license, change your address, submit an application for a duplicate RC and check the status of all applications submitted to the RTO. Apart from this, app users can search for a vehicle by entering the registration number to verify the details of any vehicle in India. This feature benefits those buying a second-hand vehicle as they can access all details, including the owner’s name, registration date, fuel type, vehicle age and insurance/fitness validity. It will also help the vehicle owner to track the challan status and make payments without failure.
AIS is the official app of the Income Tax Department to help taxpayers view their information in the Annual Information Statement (AIS) or Taxpayer Information Summary (TIS). Taxpayers can use the app to view their information related to TDS/TCS, interest, dividends, share transactions, tax payments, Income Tax refunds, details like GST data, foreign remittances etc.
112 India App is an integral part of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), a Government of India initiative to offer citizens a single, pan-India emergency response platform. Citizens can connect with police, fire force, ambulance service and women’s helpline centre through this single app. By tapping the SOS button, the app sends an automated emergency alert to the State Emergency Control Room and your pre-defined emergency contacts. This alert includes your name, age, and precise GPS location. The ‘track me’ feature of the app helps you to connect with the emergency response center as well as your selected contacts to track your real time movement when you feel you are at risk. The system can notify registered "112 Volunteers" who are in your immediate vicinity, allowing them to provide first-aid or assistance until official responders (police or ambulance) arrive.
DigiYatra is an Indian government-backed, mobile-based initiative providing a seamless, paperless, and contactless airport experience using facial recognition technology. It enables faster check-ins and security clearance for domestic passengers at 24+ airports by using their face as their boarding pass.
It streamlines services for passengers by offering facilities like booking reserved and unreserved tickets and purchasing platform tickets. All services related to the grievance platform - Rail Madad will also be available on this app. Additionally, passengers will be able to use facilities such as ordering food directly to their seat. Designed for convenience and ease of use, RailOne aims to simplify railway travel across India.
The services are as follows:Reserved and unreserved Tickets, Platform tickets, enquiries about trains, PNR information, Journey planning, Rail Madad Services, Food on train, Freight services information.
Sanchar Saathi is an integrated citizen-centric portal launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to empower mobile subscribers and strengthen the security of mobile communications in India.
It essentially gives you " remote control" over your mobile identity, allowing you to manage connections registered in your name and recover or block lost devices. If you want to check the number of mobile connections registered under your Aadhaar card, you can use the TAFCOP feature of this app. You can also report unknown numbers to the authority through this feature.
The Central Equipment Identity Register, a critical security feature of the app, allows you to block your stolen or lost phone. Sanchar Saathi will replace third-party applications like Truecaller to identify and report spam calls.
RBI Retail Direct is a flagship initiative by the Reserve Bank of India that allows individual (retail) investors to buy and sell government securities (G-Secs) directly. You can invest in treasury bills, long-term government bonds and state development loans with a minimum investment of ₹10,000. If you are interested in sovereign gold bonds, you can make your investment starting from 1 gram of gold. As there are no intermediaries, the investor can receive the interest in the linked bank account.
ePathsala allows you to download NCERT textbooks for classes 1 to 12 and supplementary materials for free. The books are available in English, Hindi and Urdu. Apart from school students and teachers, those preparing for competitive exams like UPSC and SSC can also rely on this app.