What is Digilocker? Features and benefits

Under the Digital India programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch 'Digilocker' on July 1, but not many know how to use it to secure documents and other files.

Currently, variety of digital files are available like DropBox and Evernote which help you send and receive files as well, however, you have to pay for extra storage and services.

But, PM’s DIGILocker helps users store documents in a secure online locker which is operated by the Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DeitY) of the Ministry of Communications & IT. 

The step is seen as a move by government to take most documentation virtual, thus saving money and resources. The move can clearly reduce administrative overheads, time and space. 

The service has been running in beta format for a couple of months and now will be formally launched on July 1.

Let us take a look at some of its features:

• You will be able to store all kinds of “government issued” documents like PAN cards, utility bills and property documents online.
• You can avail a maximum space of 10MB storage space.
• For the sign up you will need Aadhaar numbers after which you will be given a one-time password (OTP) on your registered mobile phone for first log-in.
• Later, you can change the password and line the account to Google and Facebook.
• With the help of service you can upload scans or PDFs for all your documents.
• You can also save URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers) of other documents.
• e-Signature service with DIGILocker will provide a nationwide push for digital authentication of documents.