What is India Stack and what are its components?

India Stack is a set of digital infrastructure components that enable various services to be delivered digitally and securely to Indian citizens. It provides a platform for building and delivering digital services in a standardized and interoperable manner. The components of India Stack include:

1. Aadhaar: Aadhaar is a unique 12digit identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). It serves as a digital identity for Indian residents and is linked to their biometric and demographic information.

2. Unified Payments Interface (UPI): UPI is a realtime payment system that allows individuals to send and receive money directly from their bank accounts using their mobile phones. It simplifies the process of making digital payments and enables interoperability between different banks.

3. Digilocker: Digilocker is a digital document storage platform that provides individuals with a secure and paperless way to store and access their important documents, such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving license, and educational certificates.

4. eKYC (Know Your Customer): eKYC is a paperless and electronic method of verifying the identity and address of individuals using their Aadhaar details. It simplifies the process of onboarding customers for various services, such as opening bank accounts, obtaining SIM cards, and availing government schemes.

5. eSignature: eSignature enables individuals to digitally sign documents using their Aadhaarbased authentication. It provides a legally valid and secure way to sign documents without the need for physical signatures.

6. GST Network (GSTN): GSTN is a technology platform that facilitates the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. It enables businesses to register, file tax returns, and comply with GST regulations digitally.

7. India Stack APIs: India Stack APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) provide a standardized way for developers to integrate and access the functionalities of various India Stack components in their applications. These APIs allow developers to build innovative digital services and solutions on top of the India Stack infrastructure.

Together, these components of India Stack aim to create a digital ecosystem that promotes financial inclusion, simplifies service delivery, enhances data security, and enables efficient and transparent governance in India.