The DARPG NeSDA Way Forward Monthly Report for February 2026, shows a robust trajectory toward universal digital access across India. The report reveals that States and UTs are providing 25,161 e-services, with significant saturation in mandatory sectors—achieving >81% availability across 59 identified mandatory services.
The data collectively point toward a shift from fragmented departmental websites to Unified Service Delivery Portals, which now facilitate 100% integration in 7 States/UTs including Assam, J&K, and Karnataka. By institutionalizing automated benchmarking tools like AAKLAN, the framework identifies a systemic move toward suo-moto, entitlement-based delivery, mechanically reducing human intervention and procedural delays in welfare and local governance.
Strategic Pillars and Implementation Metrics
Mandatory Service Saturation: Achieved 100% saturation of 59 mandatory e-services in 14 States/UTs, including Gujarat, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, ensuring basic digital rights are uniform across regions.
Unified Digital Architecture: Incentivises the adoption of single-window portals like Sewa Setu (Assam) and Seva Sindhu (Karnataka) to streamline citizen interactions through single sign-on and digital authentication.
Sectoral Implementation Leads: Dominance of the Local Governance & Utility Services sector with 9,082 services, followed by Social Welfare (5,838 services), reflecting a prioritisation of "last-mile" digital connectivity.
Automated Quality Benchmarking: Utilises the AAKLAN tool to evaluate procurement portals, highlighting maximum scores in Security & Privacy and Navigation, while identifying gaps in interactivity and accessibility.
What is the "AAKLAN" Benchmarking Tool? AAKLAN (Automated Assessment of Government Websites) is an objective, scalable evaluation mechanism that acts as a mechanical bridge between policy intent and user experience. It assess portals across nine parameters, including Mobile Responsiveness, Information Security, and Performance. Within the NeSDA framework, AAKLAN identifies systemic friction points —such as low scores in accessibility or interactivity — enabling States to refine their technical frameworks for higher inclusivity.
Policy Relevance: Scaling Best Practices for Global Benchmarking
Institutionalises Data-Driven Welfare Delivery: Uttar Pradesh’s FAMILY ID integrates a database of 15.79 crore individuals with 95 schemes, enabling proactive auto-enrolment and reducing fiscal leakages.
Bridges Employment Gaps: Uttarakhand’s Rojgar Prayag 2.0 connects over 1.33 lakh job seekers directly to government and private vacancies through GeM-linked outsourcing mechanisms.
De-risks Urban Governance: City-level portals like Raipur Municipal Corporation achieved a 99.2% grievance resolution rate, demonstrating that municipal digitization reduces "black money" through cashless transactions.
Reframes Procurement Transparency: By standardizing Online Bidder Enrolment across 26 procurement portals, the framework ensures uniform security protocols (HTTPS) and consistent government branding to build vendor trust.
Strengthens Administrative Efficiency: Digital management of property records through platforms like Karnataka’s E-Aasthi eliminates the need for physical visits, directly improving urban ease of living.
Follow the Full Report Here: NeSDA Way Forward Monthly Report - February 2026
