11 major apps by Indian government that bring citizen services on your smartphone

Government organizations are very often criticized for their slow way of functioning and delayed decision making. With citizens demanding transparency and openness more than ever, it has become inevitable for these organizations to adopt technology to offer effective citizen services.

With this objective in mind, government agencies are coming up with  their own mobile apps which provide all relevant information to citizens about what their government is doing.

Here, Dataquest chalks out 11 best Indian government apps that have now made it possible for citizens to deal with government-related transactions with just a click on their smartphones.

MyGov App

MyGov is Government of India’s innovative citizen engagement platform for direct citizen participation in governance by providing an avenue for channelizing their ideas, comments and creative suggestions to Central Ministries and associated organizations. Citizens can participate in policy formulation and program implementation to usher in an era of direct participatory democracy.

Narendra Modi App

This is an official App of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. It brings to you the latest information, instant updates & helps you to contribute towards various tasks. It provides a unique opportunity to receive messages and emails directly from the Prime Minister.

Download the app and get the latest updates anywhere, anytime!

Highlights of the Narendra Modi app:

• Receive the latest news and updates
• Exclusive opportunity to receive E-Mails & Messages directly from the PM.
• 'Mann Ki Baat' with the PM.
• Small Tasks, Big Satisfaction: Contribute & earn Badges through to-do tasks.
• Your chance to Interact with the PM & share Ideas & Suggestions.
•  Never miss out thoughts from PM Modi, read his Blogs.
•  Know more about PM Narendra Modi through unique insights in the Biography section.
• Read about PM Modi’s Governance initiatives & achievements.
• Learn more about PM Modi’s efforts augmenting India’s Global Recognition.
• Know about how Good Governance is improving lives through Infographics.

IRCTC Connect

Rail ticketing now made simpler just by SWIPE and SHUFFLE, SELECT and BOOK. Install the IRCTC android app and book a railway ticket anywhere in India at your fingertips.

Features:-

• One step login to existing users

• Search and Book train tickets

• View and Cancel tickets

• Retains recently added passenger details

• New Users, register from App directly

• Upcoming Journey Alerts

MEAIndia

This mobile application by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India (MEAIndia) acts as single window source of all information related to Ministry's citizen centric services and outreach activities. The application is completely user oriented, intuitive and interactive with smart visuals/graphics.

mPassport Seva

Passport Seva Project, being executed by Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. This aims at providing all the Passport-related services to the Indian Citizens in a speedy, convenient and transparent manner. This is one of the largest projects of the Government of India under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)

MEA with a view to provide mobile enablement of public services, has launched a Mobile Application ‘mPassport Seva’ to offer a wide variety of services to smartphone users such as Passport application status tracking, locating the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) and general information on various steps involved in obtaining a Passport.

RTI INDIA

With RTI INDIA Mobile, you can access rtiindia.org directly from your Android devices. Be active and participate in movement of Right to Information in India which already has 4,00,000 Members.

Features include:

1. Ask for RTI Query directly from your mobile

• 2. Upload images and now Video relating to Right to Information directly from your mobile camera
• 3. Send and receive Personal Message's to RTI Activists
• 4. Access and post to the most recent discussions and get instant help on matters of RTI

5. Read and post to RTI blogs and articles

6. View RTI Activist profiles

Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism)

This feature-rich app is not only useful to Indian citizens, but also to foreign nationals as well. Based on the location of the user, this application will list all the government affiliated tour operators, adventure tour operators, regional level tourist guides and also recommend classified hotels nearby. It also gives tips on best places to visit in that particular location.

Rakshak App

This application is built specifically for women, senior citizens safety. This application can be used in case of emergency. With one click of a button this application will send sms having current location to 4 different (Relatives/Friends) numbers and will also initiate a voice call to an emergency number. The numbers can be specified by the user at the time of installation.

Voter Information Search Using SMS

With this app, voter can check whether his/her name has been included in the electoral roll of the constituency and can also find out the polling station using this application. The application uses SMS service for getting information. The user will be charged for SMS as per his mobile operator tariff.

eHospital Online Registration

Online Registration ORS is a framework to link various hospitals across the country for Aadhaar based online registration and appointment system, where counter based OPD registration and appointment system through Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) has been digitalized. The application has been hosted on the cloud services of NIC. Portal facilitates online appointments with various departments of different Hospitals using eKYC data of Aadhaar number, if patient's mobile number is registered with UIDAI. And in case mobile number is not registered with UIDAI it uses patient's name. New Patient will get appointment as well as Unique Health Identification (UHID) number. If Aadhaar number is already linked with UHID number, then appointment number will be given and UHID will remain same.

DGFT App

It would allow exporters and importers to access the foreign trade policy and other related documents in an ease-to-use searchable format.Traders can track the status of their applications besides export figures, duty rates among other things.

As part of its endeavour to provide more information in electronic format and a trade facilitation measure, the DGFT has launched its mobile initiative with Android app - 'DGFT' through which most of its services can be accessed. This app was developed by an Assistant DGFT Gagan Deep, a 2011 batch ITS (Indian Trade Service) officer.