Developing Digital Governance for Managing the Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic - Case Study India

ABSTRACT India is currently reeling under the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. Its brutal ascent in April and May 2021 has stretched the country's health infrastructure beyond limits while causing unparalleled adversity to the citizens. It is natural to ask if better digital governance would have helped to mitigate this wave. The Paper first highlights that emerging technologies and liberalized regulations have become the driving force for digital transformation of government. It then critically explores whether Government of India's Digital Governance solutions to manage the growing challenges of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic meet the expectations of the stakeholders. Based on the analysis, the Paper uses a globally accepted framework to fine tune the specific areas where the government needs to do better. In conclusion, it recommends adopting an overarching citizen-focused governance to increase the pace of transformation so as to successfully overtake the virus spread that is moving at tragic speed.