DigiLocker, BHIM, Rail Madad and more: 12 govt-backed apps worth having to save time and reduce paperwork

The Indian government has rolled out several mobile applications over the past decade to make public services more accessible and reduce paperwork. From carrying digital versions of official documents to checking vehicle details and accessing healthcare records, these apps can help users complete many tasks without visiting government offices.

Here are 12 government-backed apps that offer practical utility for everyday users.

Essential apps for documents, identity and services

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Digilocker

Developed under the Digital India programme, DigiLocker allows users to store and access digital versions of documents such as driving licences, vehicle registration certificates, educational certificates and insurance papers. According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, documents issued through DigiLocker are considered legally valid in many situations.

UMANG

The Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance (UMANG) acts as a gateway to hundreds of central and state government services. Users can access services related to EPFO, PAN, healthcare, education, utilities and more from a single platform.

mAadhaar

Developed by UIDAI, mAadhaar allows users to carry a digital version of their Aadhaar card, update certain details and generate virtual IDs for authentication. It can be particularly useful when physical copies are unavailable.

BHIM

The Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) app enables UPI-based payments and money transfers. While many private apps dominate the UPI ecosystem, BHIM remains the government’s flagship digital payments platform.

mParivahan

This app from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways allows users to access digital driving licences and registration certificates, verify vehicle details and obtain transport-related information.

FASTag

Users can track toll payments, recharge FASTag accounts and monitor transactions through apps linked to the National Electronic Toll Collection ecosystem.

Health, travel and citizen-focused services

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ABHA App

The Ayushman Bharat Health Account app helps users create a digital health ID and manage health records. The government aims to build a unified digital health ecosystem through the platform.

Aarogya Setu

Originally launched during the pandemic, Aarogya Setu has evolved into a broader health and public-information platform with access to healthcare-related services and information.

Rail Madad

Passengers travelling on Indian Railways can use Rail Madad to lodge complaints, request assistance and track the status of grievances during journeys.

IRCTC Rail Connect

The official railway booking app enables ticket reservations, cancellations, refunds and train-status checks directly from smartphones.

MyGov

MyGov serves as a citizen-engagement platform where users can participate in surveys, policy discussions, consultations and government initiatives.

PM Kisan App

Designed for beneficiaries of the PM-KISAN scheme, the app allows farmers to check payment status, update information and access scheme-related updates.

Why these apps are worth keeping on your phone

As government services continue to move online, these applications can help citizens save time, reduce paperwork and access information more efficiently. While many users may already be familiar with popular apps such as DigiLocker and BHIM, others like Rail Madad, ABHA and MyGov remain relatively underutilised despite offering significant practical value. Keeping a few of these apps installed can make everyday interactions with government services considerably simpler.