Srinagar, September 21, 2025 – In a significant push towards digital governance, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Government has issued a directive making the adoption of DigiLocker mandatory across all departments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and advisory boards for the issuance, storage, and verification of certificates and documents. This move aims to enhance e-Governance efficiency, promote transparency, and ensure secure digital retention of records, treating all platform-hosted documents as legally authentic and valid for official use.The circular, released by the General Administration Department (GAD) on September 19, highlights persistent reliance on physical records despite prior instructions, which has hindered the region’s digital transformation goals. “Many offices continue to depend on manual processes, undermining the core objectives of paperless governance,” the directive states, urging immediate compliance to streamline citizen services.
Under the new mandate, all government entities must fully integrate their systems with DigiLocker, the flagship platform of India’s Digital India initiative. Launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), DigiLocker serves as a secure cloud-based repository allowing users to store, access, and share digital versions of essential documents like academic certificates, driving licenses, and vehicle registrations. It provides 1 GB of free storage per user and leverages Aadhaar-based verification for authenticity.The J&K IT Department has been designated to offer technical guidance, logistic support, and training to facilitate seamless implementation. This includes API integration for automated document issuance and verification, reducing administrative burdens and minimizing the risk of forgery. Educational institutions and PSUs, in particular, are expected to upload legacy records to ensure hassle-free access for students and employees.
This directive builds on earlier efforts in J&K, such as the 2022 integration of DigiLocker with academic systems under the National Education Policy (NEP-2020), where universities like Cluster University Srinagar began digitizing degree certificates. However, the latest order enforces stricter compliance to address gaps in adoption.Government officials emphasize that the shift to DigiLocker will empower citizens with 24/7 access to their documents via mobile apps or web portals, eliminating the need for physical copies during verifications for jobs, admissions, or services. “This is a step towards true digital empowerment, making governance more citizen-centric and efficient,” said a GAD spokesperson.As J&K accelerates its e-Governance agenda, stakeholders anticipate reduced paperwork and faster processing times, aligning the union territory with national standards. Departments have been given a timeline to report progress, with non-compliance potentially leading to administrative reviews.For more details on DigiLocker integration, visit the official portal at digilocker.gov.in.
