Abstract
The future of the ease of doing business landscape in India awaits transformation through its integration with the Digital India programme, which aims to create a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Recent rankings in reports released by global forums highlight India’s progress, with significant improvements in several indicators, namely economic performance, business efficiency, government efficiency and infrastructure. However, the development of the digital business ecosystem is rife with significant challenges. The Digital India initiative, launched in 2015, focuses on enhancing digital infrastructure, simplifying government services and empowering citizens through digital literacy. Key reforms, such as the MCA21 for online business registration and compliance registration, the national single-window system for approvals and the goods and services tax network for taxation, have streamlined processes. The Union Budget of 2025–2026 reflects a commitment to digital initiatives, with increased budgetary commitments for digital infrastructure and cybersecurity. Despite these advancements, challenges such as limited internet access to micro, small and medium enterprises in rural areas, cybersecurity threats and bureaucratic resistance hinder full digital adoption. Future prospects include leveraging artificial intelligence and blockchain to enhance credit access and streamline business operations. By addressing these challenges and implementing innovative solutions, India can position itself as a global leader in digital entrepreneurship.
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