Srinagar, September 21: In a significant step towards strengthening digital governance and advancing paperless administration, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has officially recognized all documents and certificates stored on DigiLocker as authentic and valid for all official purposes.
A circular issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) mandates the adoption and integration of DigiLocker across all government departments, public sector undertakings, and advisory boards within the Union Territory. This directive aims to enhance administrative efficiency, promote transparency, and ensure secure, long-term digital preservation of records, aligning with the broader objectives of the Government of India’s Digital India initiative.
DigiLocker, a flagship program of the central government, offers a secure cloud-based platform for issuing, storing, sharing, and verifying digital certificates. Although similar guidelines were issued in April 2022, many departments continued to depend heavily on physical documents, hindering the progress of e-Governance reforms.
The circular clearly states that all documents and certificates hosted on DigiLocker shall be accepted as genuine and valid, consistent with the Government of India’s instructions. Administrative Secretaries and heads of departments have been directed to ensure immediate compliance with this policy.
To support a smooth transition, the Information Technology Department has been assigned the responsibility of providing technical and logistical assistance. Senior consultant Shaila Farooq, along with Syed Aijaz Ahmad and Manpreet Singh, have been designated as resource persons to help departments integrate DigiLocker into their operational processes.
The government has also warned that any continued reliance on physical documentation will be considered a breach of e-Governance norms, underscoring its commitment to fully embracing digital administration.
