Information Dissemination as a Mediating Factor Between Digital Public Infrastructure and Democratic Engagement in India

Yama Chandrawal, Shuchita Pandey

Affiliations:

Research Scholar. Political Science, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya, U.P., INDIA
Principal, B. N. K. B. P. G. College, Akbarpur, U. P. INDIA

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has transformed governance in India by expanding digital service delivery and citizen access to public information. However, limited attention has been given to how information dissemination mediates its relationship with democratic engagement. This study investigates the potential role of information dissemination in bridging the gap between DPI and civic engagement. This qualitative study is based on secondary data drawn from peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports, policy documents, and international publications.In it, we examine how Aadhaar, DigiLocker, UMANG, MyGov, and CPGRAMS facilitate communication between the state and its inhabitants using digital platforms. By increasing civic awareness, facilitating citizen engagement, providing more opportunities for public discussion, and making it simpler for people to access up-to-date and correct information, the results demonstrate that DPI indirectly increases political involvement. There are still issues with data governance, the digital divide, inaccurate information, algorithmic effects, and privacy that reduce the effectiveness of this relationship. The findings indicate that information dissemination functions as the principal mediating mechanism through which Digital Public Infrastructure enhances informed citizenship and democratic engagement in India.

Keywords:
Information, Dissemination, Mediating, Factor, Digital Public Infrastructure, Democratic Engagement

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