The primary aim of E-Governance is to promote transparency and accountability in administration by using information and communication technologies (ICT). While efficiency, convenience, and cost reduction are important outcomes, transparency is considered the core objective, especially in public administration and governance reforms.

Explanation:
The recognized types of E-Governance initiatives include:

• Government to Citizen (G2C)

• Government to Business (G2B)

• Government to Government (G2G)

• Government to Employees (G2E)

Government to Women (G2W) is not a standard or formal category in E-Governance frameworks.

Explanation:

• UMANG – Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (e-governance initiative)

• Mobile Seva – Mobile-based delivery of government services (e-governance)

• PayGov – Online payment gateway for government services (e-governance)

• NRUM – Not a recognized e-governance initiative of the Government of India

A. State Data Centres (SDCs)

• Act as the central repository of data at the State level.

• Host government applications, portals, and databases.

• Ensure secure storage, data sharing, backup, and disaster recovery.

• Provide reliable and uninterrupted e-Governance services to citizens.

✔ Correct component of e-Governance infrastructure

B. State Wide Area Networks (SWANs)

• Provide high-speed connectivity across the State.

• Connect State Headquarters → District Headquarters → Block Headquarters.

• Enable real-time data transmission and coordination between government offices.

• Backbone network for delivering e-services.

✔ Correct component of e-Governance infrastructure

C. Village Wide Area Networks (VWAN)

• Not an officially recognised component under NeGP.

• Village connectivity is provided through initiatives like BharatNet, not VWAN.

• Hence, this term is incorrect in the context of core e-Governance infrastructure.

✘ Not part of the official e-Governance framework

D. Common Service Centres (CSCs)

• Physical service delivery points in rural and remote areas.

• Provide citizens access to government services, certificates, payments, banking, and digital literacy.

• Operate under a public–private partnership (PPP) model.

• Bridge the digital divide.

✔ Correct component of e-Governance infrastructure

Explanation:
Statements 1, 2, and 3 describe well-known benefits of e-Governance:

• Faster and direct delivery of government services

• Anytime, anywhere access to services

• Reduction in cost and time for both government and citizens

Statement 4 is NOT a benefit of e-Governance. Increased dependence on IT companies is often discussed as a challenge or limitation, not a benefit.

Explanation:

• Accountability increases due to transparency and digital records.

• Transaction costs are reduced through online service delivery.

• Trust improves due to efficient, transparent, and responsive governance.

• Encouraging bureaucracy and reducing participation are limitations, not benefits.

The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) was approved by the Government of India in 2006 with the objective of making government services accessible to citizens through electronic means. It aimed to ensure efficiency, transparency, and reliability in public service delivery at affordable costs. NeGP focused on building core infrastructure such as State Data Centres (SDCs), State Wide Area Networks (SWANs), and Common Service Centres (CSCs) to support effective implementation of e-Governance across India.

Implementing Body: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) (formerly Department of Information Technology) and DAR&PG (Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances).

Explanation:
The standard types of e-Governance are:

• Government to Government (G2G)

• Government to Citizen (G2C)

• Government to Business (G2B)

• Government to Employee (G2E)

Government to Market (G2M) is not a recognised or standard category of e-Governance.

Explanation:

E-governance enhances transparency and accountability, reduces costs and time, and strengthens citizen trust through efficient service delivery. Minimising people’s participation is a limitation, not an advantage.

Explanation
The Government of India officially declared the year 2001 as the "Year of E-Governance" to promote and increase the use of information technology in government functions and public service delivery.

Explanation:
E-governance is considered an instrument of good governance because it:

• Improves efficiency and economy by reducing delays and costs,

• Enhances the citizen–government interface through digital service delivery,

• Improves decision-making using data, real-time information, and analytics, and

• Increases transparency by minimizing discretion and enabling access to information.

The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) was started in 2006 (approved and launched by the Government of India in May 2006).

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) was established in 1976 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. It is the premier ICT organization that provides e-Governance support to the Central and State Governments. NIC develops and maintains government websites, portals, databases, and networks, including NICNET, and plays a key role in implementing initiatives like NeGP and Digital India.

Explanation:
E-governance promotes accountability, cost-effectiveness, and trust. Limiting participation or encouraging bureaucracy are challenges or drawbacks, not benefits.

Explanation:

• DARPAN – ICT project for service delivery in rural areas → ✅ e-Governance project

• PRAGATI – Platform for public grievance redressal and project monitoring → ✅ e-Governance project

• SAGAR – Stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region, related to maritime policy → ❌ Not an e-Governance project

• Jeevan Pramaan – Digital life certificate for pensioners → ✅ e-Governance project