Describe the salient features of UMANG Scheme related to e-governance

Describe the salient features of UMANG Scheme related to e-governance

The world is moving fast in the digital age. Today, people use their mobile phones for almost everything shopping, studying, banking, traveling, and even paying bills. In this age of technology, governments around the world are also trying to provide services to citizens in an easier and faster way. This effort is called e-Governance. In India, one of the most important steps in e-Governance is the UMANG Scheme. The word UMANG stands for Unified Mobile Application for New-Age Governance. It is a mobile app launched by the Government of India to bring together different government services on a single digital platform. Let us now explore the meaning, purpose, and salient features of the UMANG scheme in detail.

What is UMANG?

• UMANG is a mobile application developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) along with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
• It was officially launched in November 2017 by the Prime Minister of India.
• The main aim of UMANG is to provide all government services in one app so that citizens do not need to download different apps for different services.

For example, earlier a person needed one app for EPFO services, another app for PAN card, another for paying electricity bills, and yet another for booking a gas cylinder. Now, with UMANG, all these services can be accessed through a single app.

Purpose of UMANG

The purpose of the UMANG scheme can be explained in simple points:

1.Single Platform – To provide all central, state, and local government services in one app.

2.Easy Access – To make it easier for people to use government services from their mobile phones or computers.

3.Promote Digital India – To support the Digital India mission by encouraging citizens to use digital platforms.

4.Save Time and Effort – To reduce the need for visiting government offices physically.

5.Transparency – To make government services more transparent, quick, and reliable.

Salient Features of UMANG Scheme

The UMANG scheme has many unique features that make it special. Below are the most important features explained in simple words:

1. One App for All Services

UMANG brings together hundreds of government services from central government departments, state governments, and local bodies into one mobile application. Citizens do not need multiple apps anymore.

2. Wide Range of Services

UMANG covers many types of services such as:

• EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organization) services
• Aadhaar services
• PAN services
• Gas booking
• Electricity and water bill payments
• Passport services
• Income tax filing
• Voter ID services
• Pension and health-related services
• Education and skill development services

So, from booking a gas cylinder to checking pension details, everything can be done in one app.

3. Multi-language Support

India is a country of many languages. To reach every citizen, UMANG provides services in multiple Indian languages. This helps people in villages and small towns use the app in their own language.

4. Available on Different Devices

UMANG can be used not only on mobile phones but also on computers and tablets. It can be accessed through its mobile app, website, and even through call centers.

5. 24x7 Availability

Government offices are open only for certain hours, but UMANG services are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Citizens can use the services anytime and from anywhere.

6. Secure and Safe

The UMANG app is designed with strong security features. It uses Aadhaar and other verified systems to keep the data of citizens safe.

7. Integration with Other Platforms

UMANG is integrated with other digital platforms such as:

• DigiLocker – for storing important documents digitally.
• PayGov India – for making online payments.
• Aadhaar – for authentication and identity services.

This makes the app even more powerful and useful.

8. User-Friendly Design

The app is designed in a simple and user-friendly way so that even people with little digital knowledge can use it easily.

9. Regular Updates

New services and updates are regularly added to the UMANG app. This ensures that citizens always get the latest and most relevant services.

10. Accessibility for All

UMANG is designed to be used by both urban and rural citizens. With the rise of mobile internet in villages, even people in remote areas can access government services without difficulty.

Advantages of UMANG Scheme

The UMANG scheme has many benefits for citizens as well as the government.

For Citizens:

• Saves time and money.
• Provides easy and quick access to services.
• Reduces the need to stand in long queues at government offices.
• Increases transparency and trust in government services.
• Makes life easier for people in rural areas.

For Government:

• Promotes Digital India initiative.
• Reduces the workload in government offices.
• Helps in better monitoring and control of services.
• Reduces corruption by minimizing physical interaction.

Examples of Services Available on UMANG

To understand UMANG better, let us look at some popular services available on the app:

1.EPFO Services – Citizens can check their PF balance, claim status, and pension details.

2.Aadhaar Services – Linking Aadhaar, checking status, and updating details.

3.Gas Booking – Booking cylinders for HP, Bharat Gas, and Indane.

4.Bill Payments – Electricity, water, and phone bill payments.

5.Passport Seva – Checking passport application status.

6.Education Services – Results of exams like CBSE, AICTE, etc.

7.Health Services – Access to e-Hospital services, online appointments, and Ayushman Bharat scheme.

This shows that UMANG truly covers almost every aspect of a citizen’s needs.

Role of UMANG in E-Governance

The UMANG scheme plays a very important role in strengthening e-Governance in India.

• It promotes citizen-centric governance by making services available at people’s fingertips.
• It helps in reducing the digital divide between rural and urban citizens.
• It brings transparency and accountability in government services.
• It saves time, money, and resources both for citizens and the government.
• It encourages people to trust and use digital platforms instead of physical paperwork.

Thus, UMANG is a big step toward a modern, digital, and transparent system of governance.

Challenges of UMANG

Although UMANG is very successful, it still faces some challenges:

1.Digital Literacy – Many people, especially in villages, still do not know how to use mobile apps.

2.Internet Access – In some remote areas, there is poor internet connectivity, making it difficult to use UMANG.

3.Awareness – Many citizens do not even know that such a powerful app exists.

4.Language Barriers – Although the app supports multiple languages, some people still find it difficult.

The government is continuously working to solve these challenges.

The UMANG scheme is one of the most important steps in India’s journey towards Digital India. It has brought hundreds of government services under one roof, making life easier for millions of citizens.

With features like multi-language support, 24x7 availability, integration with DigiLocker and Aadhaar, and user-friendly design, UMANG is a shining example of e-Governance in action.

If more citizens start using UMANG, it will not only make their lives simple but also help the government to provide services in a more transparent, efficient, and corruption-free manner.

UMANG truly represents the vision of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” and proves how technology can transform governance for the better.