Why Is Himachal Missing on UMANG? A Reality Check for Digital Governance
If you’ve ever used the UMANG app, the government’s “one-stop solution” for accessing schemes and services, you might’ve noticed something odd. Scroll through the app, browse by state, and… oh wait. Where is Himachal Pradesh?
Let me save you the search. Our beautiful, literate, tourism-happy, education-proud Himachal has barely 3 state-level services listed on UMANG. Three. That’s less than some northeastern states with half our population. Meanwhile, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar are on a full-on scheme buffet.
So the question is: Are we invisible? Or just late to the digital governance party?
What is UMANG and Why Does It Matter?
UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-Age Governance) is meant to be India’s central app for accessing everything from health cards to scholarship portals to land records. It has over 2000 services onboarded. Central schemes? Check. State schemes? Also check — except in our case.
In theory, it saves citizens the chaos of juggling 15 apps and websites. One place to rule them all. Convenient, smart, futuristic.
But if you’re from Himachal? You’ll be lucky if the app even gives you a “state option” that leads anywhere. Spoiler alert: Most of our local schemes simply don’t exist there.
What Are Other States Doing Right?
Let’s take examples:
- Bihar has its student scholarship and birth certificate services on UMANG.
- Andhra Pradesh offers driver support schemes, weaver subsidies, and housing benefit trackers.
- Gujarat lets users access their pension, caste certificate, and land records — all on one screen.
And Himachal? We’ve got… horticulture subsidy applications and a marriage grant for BPL women. That’s it.
So What’s the Himachal Government Doing?
Let’s talk facts. Since coming to power in late 2022, the Congress-led Himachal government announced:
- Free ₹1500 monthly for women (still in the pipeline)
- Restarted Old Pension Scheme
- “Startup Yojana” for youth (promised)
- Orphan support schemes (Sukhashray)
- Student loan aid (also, kinda coming soon... maybe?)
Are any of these on UMANG? Nope. Not a single one.
Forget visibility. Most people in villages haven’t even heard of some of these, let alone used an app to apply.
Why This Should Worry Us
- Lack of Digital Access = Lack of Awareness. If citizens can’t see or search these schemes online, how will they apply? What happens to that daily-wage worker in Kangra or that student in Reckong Peo?
- Separate Portals = Confusion. Right now, you need to know 5 different websites to access 5 state schemes — none of which show up on national apps like UMANG. Great for confusion, terrible for efficiency.
- It’s 2025. What are we waiting for? Our neighbouring states are going digital. We’re still filing paper forms and waiting in long queues.
So Who’s Responsible?
Let’s be honest: this isn’t just about Congress vs BJP. Previous governments didn’t fix it either. But this one?
- They talk of digitization.
- They talk about youth employment.
- They talk about transparency.
And yet, when it comes to actually putting our state schemes on a central digital platform, there’s radio silence.
UMANG is free. The tech is ready. All it takes is intent and coordination. Where is that?
What Needs to Happen
- Every Himachal state department should link their schemes with UMANG, starting with health, education, women's welfare, and rural services.
- Regular updates from the state IT team. The Revenue Department only joined UMANG in 2025. Why not the rest?
- Accountability. If we can launch apps for tourism, why not for health card renewal or student aid?
Final Thought: Is Himachal Being Left Behind?
As someone who loves this state and believes in its potential — this digital gap hurts. We pride ourselves on being an educated, progressive hill state. But on a platform that every Indian is using for governance, Himachal barely shows up.
This isn’t a small oversight. It’s a warning sign.
It’s time our government steps up. If we want real transparency, real access, and real change, we need to go where the citizens already are: on their phones.
Not just for tourism reels. But for actual governance.
