The Indian government has officially asked startups to build multilingual govt websites and apps, aiming to break language barriers and improve digital access for millions of Indians. This move is part of the Digital India Bhashini initiative, launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The government issued a Request for Expression (RFE), inviting startups to help transform how citizens interact with government portals by supporting more Indian languages.
🤖 Powered by AI: Bhashini at the Core
At the heart of this mission is Bhashini, India’s AI-powered language translation platform developed under the National Language Translation Mission.
- Bhashini uses advanced AI to translate content across 12+ Indian languages.
- Startups will integrate Bhashini’s API into govt websites and apps.
- The goal: citizens can read, search, and interact in their native languages.
📊 Why Multilingual Govt Websites and Apps Matter
- Over 89% of Indian internet users prefer local languages.
- Currently, about 76% of online content is in English, making it hard for rural users.
- By adding more languages, services like eGramSwaraj and UMANG can reach every Indian citizen.
🚀 Startups Step In to Build Multilingual Govt Websites and Apps
The government wants India’s tech startups to:
- Build and modernize multilingual govt websites and apps.
- Use voice, text, and real-time translation.
- Make platforms more inclusive, faster, and user-friendly.
Recently, 73 startups joined a MeitY strategy session to discuss ideas and solutions.
🧩 Challenges in Multilingual Govt Websites and Apps
While this is a bold move, there are challenges:
- Supporting all 22 scheduled Indian languages and dialects.
- Translating huge amounts of existing English-only content.
- Ensuring the accuracy of AI translations, especially for official/legal terms.
- Technical issues like fonts, keyboard layouts, and UI consistency.
📅 What Happens Next?
| Step | Timeline / Status |
|---|---|
| Startups submit proposals | In progress |
| Selection of partners | Expected soon |
| Development starts | Later this year |
| Full rollout | Planned by 2026, starting with top-used portals |
🌐 India’s Digital Future with Multilingual Govt Websites and Apps
By asking startups to build multilingual govt websites and apps, India is:
- Boosting digital inclusion.
- Supporting Make in India and Startup India missions.
- Using AI to preserve linguistic diversity.
This move could make India’s digital space fairer and more inclusive for rural citizens, senior citizens, and new internet users.
✅ Conclusion
The government’s plan to create multilingual govt websites and apps is more than a tech upgrade—it’s a cultural and social transformation. It combines AI tools like Bhashini with the energy of Indian startups to build a digital India that speaks every Indian language.
