Legal Implications Of Digital Public Infrastructure In India (Aadhaar; UPI; Digi Locker): Balancing Innovation, Privacy And Constitutional Rights
- IJLLR Journal
- Jun 8
- 2 min read
Ekta Devi, LLM, Rayat Bahra University, Mohali, Punjab
ABSTRACT
Governance; financial transactions and public services have been transformed in’ India by Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The’ platforms like Unique Identification Authority of India Aadhaar; National Payments Corporation of India UPI; and Digi Locker have led to’ greater efficiency; better access to’ welfare schemes and digital inclusion. These systems have also contributed to’ the’ economic growth by speeding up services; eliminating the’ use of paper and making the’ services available to’ the’ nation’s citizens easily. Simultaneously; a surge in’ digital infrastructure has given rise to’ significant legal and constitutional concerns to’ privacy; data protection; exclusion of people and exclusion due to’ technological barriers; as well as surveillance and cyber security.
Digital public infrastructure has brought up a host of legal issues in’ India; which are explored in’ this paper through a study of the’ constitutional provisions; statutes and judicial pronouncements related to’ Aadhaar; UPI and Digi Locker. The’ study explores the’ significance of the’ right to’ privacy in’ light of Article 21 of the’ Indian Constitution and examines the’ ways in’ which the’ courts have been dealing with issues of informational privacy and state interference in’ personal data. The’ paper also examines the’ relevance of the’ laws like the’ Information Technology Act; 2000 and the’ Digital Personal Data Protection Act; 2023 in’ relation to’ regulation of digital systems.
The’ paper proposes that the’ technological innovation should be combined with constitutional protection of the’ individual rights and democratic values. It finds that there is a need for more robust accountability mechanisms; clear regulatory frameworks and effective data protection in’ India to’ ensure that digital development does not erode constitutional freedoms.
Keywords: Digital Public Infrastructure; Aadhaar; UPI; Digi Locker; Privacy; Constitutional Rights; Data Protection; Digital Governance.
