Government launches e-gov app store

The Indian government has launched the pilot e-gov application store on Friday. The app store, developed and hosted by the Department of Electronic and Information Technology (DeitY) through NIC, aims to create a common repository of apps, components and web services that can be used by all government agencies and departments. Also, apps, which can be replicated across central and state levels, will be hosted on cloud for easy access.

Just like other app stores, the e-gov app store enables one to share and search for apps. It also provides basic information about an app on selection and allows users to give feedback and rate an app. It has a two-level approval process for contributing apps and only authenticated users can download the apps.

In future, the app store will also accept apps developed by private players. According to an official statement, "A complete eco-system will be established (including mechanism for funding, charge back, contract management, SLAs)." The project is part of the GI Cloud initiative of the government.

"The app store will enable citizens to receive services in a more streamlined manner. Inclusion of IT in governance aims to reduce uncertainty and improve transparency," said Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, on the occasion.

The app store was announced in the IT Agenda 2013. It will have 75 live apps by the end of this year and a mobile payment gateway and a mobile wallet service will also be developed, as announced in the Agenda.

(Edited by Sanghamitra Mandal)