What Is Digi Locker and How Does It Work?

What Is Digi Locker and How Does It Work?

Digi Locker is a government-backed cloud storage service in India that allows individuals to electronically store their important documents, such as driving licenses, PAN cards, and school certificates. It aims to reduce the use of physical documents and make it easier for individuals to access and share their documents as needed. The service is available to Indian citizens and is accessible through the Digi Locker website or mobile app.

What is Process to Open DigiLocker ?

The process to open a DigiLocker account is simple and straightforward. Here is the general process you can follow to open a DigiLocker account:

• Visit the DigiLocker website (https://digilocker.gov.in/) or download the mobile app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
• Click on the “Sign Up” button on the homepage.
• Enter your mobile number and verify it using the OTP (One-time password) sent to your mobile.
• Sign in using your Aadhaar number (Indian National ID) and verify it using the OTP sent to your mobile number registered with your Aadhaar.
• Set a username and password for your DigiLocker account.
• After logging in, you will be asked to set a security question and answer for your account.
• Once your account is set up, you can start uploading your documents to DigiLocker.

You can also link your DigiLocker account with your driving license and PAN card, which will automatically fetch the data from the respective department and make it available for you to use.

Once the documents are uploaded, you can access and share them as needed.

It’s worth noting that to open a DigiLocker account, it is mandatory to have an Aadhaar number, as it is used to verify your identity. If you don’t have an Aadhaar number, you will not be able to open a DigiLocker account.

What are the benefits of Digi Locker?

Using Digi Locker provides several benefits, including:

1. Convenience: Digi Locker allows individuals to store, access, and share their important documents anytime, anywhere through the Digi Locker website or mobile app.
2. Security: The service uses secure servers and data encryption to protect users’ documents from unauthorized access.
3. Reduced use of physical documents: By storing documents electronically, Digi Locker helps to reduce the use of physical documents, which can be lost, stolen, or damaged.
4. Time-saving: The service eliminates the need to carry physical documents and reduces the time and effort required to retrieve them.
5. Cost-saving: By reducing the use of physical documents and printing costs, Digi Locker can help to save money.
6. Easy to share: With the help of Digi Locker, an individual can easily share their documents with agencies, organizations or other users as per requirement.
7. Government Support: The service is government-backed, which means that it is more likely to be widely accepted and used by government agencies and organizations.

What is the disadvantage of DigiLocker?

Some potential disadvantages of using DigiLocker include:

1. Limited document types: DigiLocker currently supports only a limited number of document types, such as identity proof, address proof, and educational certificates.
2. Limited adoption: DigiLocker has yet to be widely adopted by all government agencies and private organizations, which means that citizens may only be able to use their electronic documents in some situations.
3. Technical issues: Some users have reported technical issues with the DigiLocker website and mobile app, such as slow loading times and difficulty uploading documents.
4. Digital security concerns: As with any digital platform, there is always a risk of hacking or data breaches.
5. Limited awareness: Many citizens are not aware of the existence of DigiLocker and how it can be used, which may limit its adoption.
6. Limited language support: DigiLocker is primarily in English and Hindi, this may be a barrier for citizens who are not fluent in these languages.

It’s worth noting that these are potential issues and the platform may have been improved and updated since my knowledge cut-off in 2021.

Is it simple to use?

DigiLocker is designed to be user-friendly and simple to use. The service can be accessed through the DigiLocker website or mobile app, which has a straightforward and intuitive interface.w

To use DigiLocker, individuals need to create an account using their mobile and Aadhaar numbers (Indian National ID). Once an account is created, users can upload and store their documents, such as driving licenses, PAN cards, and school certificates. Users can also access and share their documents as needed.

The service also offers a feature called “e-Sign”, which allows users to digitally sign their documents. This feature is especially useful for signing official documents, such as income tax returns, and eliminates the need for physical signatures.

However, it’s worth noting that as with any technology, some users may find it challenging to use if they are not familiar with technology and have limited digital literacy. But overall it’s simple to use and the government has provided various tutorials and support for the same.