Question

According to Rule 9A of the Information Technology Rules, 2016, what is the legal standing of documents issued through DigiLocker?

• A. They are considered supplementary to original physical documents.
• B. They are considered legally equivalent to their original physical counterparts.
• C. They are only valid for a period of one year.
• D. They have no legal standing without a physical copy.

Answer 1

Answer:

B. They are considered legally equivalent to their original physical counterparts.

• Legal Equivalence: Documents like driving licenses, vehicle registration certificates, and educational mark sheets stored in DigiLocker are legally recognized and accepted by all government agencies and departments.

• No Need for Physical Copies: Citizens are not required to carry physical copies of documents if they have them stored in their DigiLocker account. They can present the digital version as valid proof.

• Enforcement: This rule makes it mandatory for all government entities to accept DigiLocker documents as a valid alternative to their physical versions. This helps in promoting a paperless governance system across India.

• Example: A police officer cannot demand a physical driving license if you present the digital copy from your DigiLocker app.