FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE: A KEY ENABLER FOR DIGITAL INDIA

Abstract

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) by its intrinsic nature of sharing, both in development and distribution, can play an important role in promoting e-Governance and put in place a robust digital economy. Numerous surveys conducted in the last two decades throughout the world clearly points out to the maturity of FOSS ecosystem. It has effectively converted digital paradigm into an  empoweing tool. It is particularly significant where economy of scale, mass adoption, reliability and large-scale customization are the key attributes in providing solutions in the area of Governance, social welfare and economic administration. These are precisely the key features which needs to be addressed for developing nations like India, which has adopted digitalization as an effective tool for Governance and welfare. Use of FOSS in India is quite rampant in education and in providing business solutions and services. FOSS has been effectively harnessed in several projects to upscale the existing services successfully. However, most of these efforts have been at the level of the individual and sporadically at the level of the state. The IT policy of the  Government of India, notified in 2015 in its policy statement, makes adoption of FOSS mandatory for their departments and undertakings. This can prove to be a game-changer in the creation of digital India, in the most  transparent, equitable and cost-effective transition. Several large projects of Government of India have already leveraged FOSS in execution and delievery of e-Governance services to the masses.