UMANG: Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance

UMANG, short for Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance, is a mobile and web-based application launched by the Government of India under the Digital India initiative. It is designed to provide citizens with seamless access to multiple government services across central, state, and local governments through a single platform.

The mobile application was launched on 23rd November 2017, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UMANG aims to enhance ease of living by digitizing government services and reducing the need for citizens to visit offices physically.

UMANG is not limited to mobile phones; it can also be accessed via web portal, SMS, and Interactive Voice Response (IVR), ensuring inclusivity for citizens with feature phones or those in remote areas.

Why was UMANG Launched?

The government launched UMANG to streamline access to public services and accelerate mobile governance in India. The key reasons include:

  1. Ease of Access: Citizens can access multiple services from a single app instead of using multiple departmental apps.
  2. Time Efficiency: Provides services anytime and anywhere, eliminating the need for multiple office visits.
  3. Digital Transformation: Supports the objectives of Digital India by making services available online 24×7.
  4. Citizen-Centric Approach: Integrates services from central ministries, state governments, local bodies, and even private utility providers.
  5. Inclusivity: Supports multiple channels (mobile, web, IVR, SMS) and 13 Indian languages to reach a wider population.

What Services does UMANG Provide?

UMANG hosts over 2,000 services across different sectors. Some key categories include:

CategoryServices OfferedNotes
1. Finance and Taxation– Income Tax filing and e-filing services
– Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) services
– Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Direct Benefit Transfer schemes
– PAN card applications
Covers central financial services and citizen welfare schemes
2. Healthcare– Ayushman Bharat health services
– Access to blood banks and hospitals
– Health insurance services like PM-JBY
Focused on health coverage and hospital accessibility
3. Education– ePathshala for online educational resources
– Skill development and registration under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
– Access to school and university information
Promotes digital learning and skill development
4. Agriculture and Farmer Services– Crop insurance services
– Market information such as mandi locations
– Weather forecasts and advisories via Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
Supports farmers with insurance, market info, and weather alerts
5. Transport and Utility Services– State transport services (e.g., Odisha’s learner license application)
– Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) for utility payments
– Integration with Digilocker for documents
Helps citizens with transport, bill payments, and document management
6. Other Citizen-Centric Services– Housing schemes and urban development services
– Energy and electricity bill payments
– Employment registration and skill development opportunities
Covers miscellaneous services for daily convenience and urban governance
7. International Services– Access for NRIs, Indian students, and tourists in USA, UK, Canada, UAE, Netherlands, Singapore, Australia, New ZealandEnables Indian citizens abroad to avail government services

How does UMANG Ensure Security and Privacy?

UMANG uses Aadhaar-based authentication and other secure methods to ensure data safety. Sensitive citizen data is stored in an encrypted format. Key security measures include:

  • Multi-factor authentication.
  • End-to-end encryption for data transactions.
  • Integration with secure platforms like Digilocker and Aadhaar.
  • Compliance with government data privacy policies.

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How can Citizens Access UMANG?

UMANG provides multi-channel accessibility for citizens:

  1. Mobile Application: Available for Android and iOS, downloadable from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
  2. Web Portal: Accessible at UMANG Web Portal.
  3. SMS and IVR: Services are available for feature phone users or those with limited internet access.
  4. Multi-Lingual Support: Available in 13 Indian languages, besides English, catering to a diverse population.

Key Partners of UMANG

UMANG collaborates with various central and state government agencies to deliver services efficiently:

  • Employee Provident Fund Organization (EPFO)
  • Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)
  • Ministries like Health, Education, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry
  • Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
  • State governments (e.g., Odisha transport services)

These partnerships enable the app to provide a holistic digital ecosystem for citizens.

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How does UMANG help in Governance and Ease of Living?

UMANG directly contributes to good governance and citizen convenience in several ways:

  1. Single Platform Access: Reduces duplication of apps and services, offering a one-stop solution for government services.
  2. Transparency: Digital transactions through UMANG promote accountability.
  3. Efficiency: Automates and digitizes government processes, reducing time and errors.
  4. Inclusivity: Citizens in rural areas or with feature phones can still access critical services.
  5. Disaster Preparedness: Features like IMD weather services provide farmers and citizens with timely weather updates, helping prevent damage to life and property.

How has UMANG Evolved Over Time?

Since its launch in 2017, UMANG has seen several updates and expansions:

YearKey Updates
2018Won the “Best m-Government Service” award at the 6th World Government Summit, Dubai
2020Added IMD weather services for forecasts, cyclones, and rainfall warnings
2020Launched UMANG International for NRIs and Indian tourists abroad
2021Integrated map services via MapmyIndia to locate nearest government facilities such as mandis and blood banks
2022 onwardsContinuous addition of new services, integration of state transport services, and enhanced multi-lingual support

What are the Benefits of UMANG for citizens?

UMANG brings numerous advantages, especially for those seeking government services efficiently:

  • Time-Saving: Avoids long queues and office visits.
  • 24/7 Accessibility: Services are available anytime, anywhere.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Single platform for central, state, and local services.
  • Ease of Payment: Utility and government payments can be made through integrated platforms.
  • Digital Literacy: Encourages citizens to embrace digital solutions and technology.

How does UMANG Support Farmers?

UMANG plays a significant role in the agricultural sector:

  • Weather Updates: Integrated IMD weather forecasts provide farmers real-time information for better planning.
  • Market Locations: Citizens can access information about nearest mandis.
  • Crop Insurance: Farmers can access schemes like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana directly via the app.
  • Agriculture Advisory: Tips and guidelines are available to enhance productivity and reduce losses.

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How is UMANG Transforming Mobile Governance in India?

UMANG exemplifies mobile governance by providing a secure, multi-channel, and scalable platform for citizen services. Key transformations include:

  1. Digital Integration: Seamlessly combines various government departments into one application.
  2. Scalability: Can handle increased demand for new services and users.
  3. International Outreach: Through UMANG International, it extends India’s e-governance framework globally.
  4. Recognition: Awards and international acknowledgment highlight its innovation in e-governance.

Key Takeaways

FeatureDetails
Launch Date23rd November 2017
Launched ByPrime Minister Narendra Modi
Development BodiesMinistry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), National e-Governance Division (NeGD)
Services Offered2000+ services covering finance, healthcare, education, agriculture, transport, utilities
Multi-Lingual Support13 Indian languages + English
ChannelsMobile App, Web Portal, SMS, IVR
SecurityAadhaar-based authentication, encrypted data
International VersionUMANG International (USA, UK, Canada, UAE, Singapore, Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand)
AwardsBest m-Government Service at 6th World Government Summit, 2018
Key PartnersEPFO, ESIC, Ministries of Health, Education, Agriculture, SSC, State Governments

Questions Based on UMANG

  • What does UMANG stand for?
    a) Unified Mobile Application for National Governance
    b) Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance
    c) Universal Mobile Application for National Governance
    d) Unified Management Application for New Governance
    e) Universal Mobile App for New-age Government
    Answer: b
  • When was UMANG launched?
    a) 2015
    b) 2016
    c) 2017
    d) 2018
    e) 2019
    Answer: c
  • Which ministry is behind UMANG?
    a) Ministry of Finance
    b) Ministry of Agriculture
    c) Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)
    d) Ministry of Home Affairs
    e) Ministry of Health
    Answer: c
  • Which feature helps UMANG users locate nearby government facilities?
    a) IMD Weather Service
    b) Map Services by MapmyIndia
    c) DigiLocker
    d) Aadhaar Integration
    e) IVR Access
    Answer: b
  • UMANG International was launched for citizens in which year?
    a) 2018
    b) 2019
    c) 2020
    d) 2021
    e) 2022
    Answer: c

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  • How many services does UMANG currently provide?
    a) 500+
    b) 1000+
    c) 1200+
    d) 2000+
    e) 2500+
    Answer: d
  • Which award did UMANG receive in 2018?
    a) Best e-Government Service
    b) Best Mobile App
    c) Best m-Government Service
    d) Digital India Excellence Award
    e) Government Innovation Award
    Answer: c
  • Which channel is NOT used to access UMANG?
    a) Mobile App
    b) Web Portal
    c) SMS
    d) IVR
    e) Physical Kiosk
    Answer: e
  • Which of the following is a key partner of UMANG?
    a) RBI
    b) SSC
    c) Indian Railways
    d) ISRO
    e) NITI Aayog
    Answer: b
  • Which sector benefits from IMD weather integration in UMANG?
    a) Education
    b) Healthcare
    c) Transport
    d) Agriculture
    e) Finance
    Answer: d