GI Cloud MeghRaj (2014): National Cloud Initiative to build India’s Digital Infrastructure

Policy Update
Varalika Raizada

Introduction 

India’s e-governance efforts and digital empowerment require significant technological advancement and innovation. The introduction of the GI Cloud Initiative, Meghraj, was one significant move made by the Indian government. In order to increase the administrative effectiveness of public service delivery, promote openness and transparency at all governmental levels, and speed up access to e-services, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) introduced Meghraj in 2014. The National Cloud is being implemented by the National Informatics Centre. 

This national cloud program is a strategic bet on utilizing cloud computing to enable optimized IT infrastructure and elastic digital public services. With an integrated cloud platform, state and local governments can implement e-governance solutions without making major investments in physical infrastructure. MeghRaj also creates huge opportunities for India’s IT and ITeS industries, facilitating cloud-based service delivery both within India and internationally.

Foundation and Architecture

According to a set of shared protocols, guidelines, and standards published by the Government of India, the GI Cloud architectural vision consists of a collection of distinct cloud computing environments dispersed over several places, constructed on top of new or existing (augmented) infrastructure. MeghRaj’s strategic vision was articulated by two policy documents: the GI Cloud Strategic Direction Paper and the GI Cloud Adoption and Implementation Roadmap. which provided the core foundational framework for implementation of the meghraj cloud infrastructure through existing State Wide Area Networks (SWANs) and National Knowledge Network (NKN). 

The Meghraj Cloud platform was officially launched in 2014, providing services including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). The infrastructure has self-service portals, secure VPN access, and multiple hosting nodes within NIC data centers, enabling departments to choose the best deployment options.

In order to guarantee the scalable, safe, and economical delivery of digital services, the Indian government has appointed a number of private Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as part of the MeghRaj project. These CSPs, which include Tata Communications, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Netmagic, and ESDS, are certified under the STQC (Standardization Testing and Quality Certification) framework and are required to adhere to localization and data security regulations set forth by the government. This model combines the advantages of government-run infrastructure with the creativity, adaptability, and international best practices of the private sector. 

A critical aspect of cloud adoption in governance is data sovereignty—the ability to control and exercise jurisdiction over data created by and for the citizens of a country. As per the 2024 DSCI report on cloud adoption, the government needs to balance the effectiveness of public cloud services with apprehensions regarding compliance with data protection legislation, security of key data, jurisdictional control to contain geopolitical risks, and ensuring continuity of operations during disruption

Components of Meghraj

A number of essential elements comprise the MeghRaj, which aims to build a strong and expandable cloud ecosystem throughout India’s public sector infrastructure.

1. Establishing State and National Clouds is one of MeghRaj’s main features
2. Setting up of Cloud service providers
3. Establishing the Cloud Management Office, including its policies, guidelines, templates, security standards, certification, and so forth.
4. Training courses, awareness campaigns, and assistance with migration to cloud adoption by departments
5. Cloud setup by other governmental organizations
6. Quick creation, implementation, and reuse of ICT applications
7. Facilitate the conversion of CAPEX to OPEX, opening the door for quicker IT infrastructure service procurement and consumption-based billing

Services 

Under the MeghRaj project, the government established the National Cloud, and the National Informatics Center (NIC) offers cloud services under these auspices. A self-service portal, different cloud solutions, secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) access, and multi-location cloud nodes are some of the National Cloud’s key features. MeghRaj provides a wide range of cloud services aimed at boosting productivity, teamwork, and creativity in a number of industries:

1. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS): ensures availability of virtual computer resources such as networking and storage  
2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): provides an environment for the development and deployment of apps without the need for stressing or maintaining the underlying infrastructure. 
3. Software as a Service (SaaS): a software program for payment according to use 
4. Storage as a Service (STaaS): Scalable and safe storage solutions for large data repositories.

Objectives and Vision

The goal of the MeghRaj program was:

1. To optimize the IT infrastructure in order to reduce duplication and improve the use of public IT resources.
2. To expedite the delivery of e-services by cutting down on the time it takes to roll out government services and guaranteeing widespread public access.
3. To house private government information in settings that are both extremely safe and compliant with regulations.
4. To stimulate Innovation by providing a flexible and scalable platform for the creation of innovative public service apps.
5. To enable transformation at the grassroots by supporting micro-level applications—such as digital health records in village clinics which can further drive broader macro-level outcomes like improved governance efficiency, reduced service delivery gaps, and inclusive digital development
6. Digital integration is made possible by the expansion of cloud services to rural and remote locations where traditional vertical IT infrastructure is not financially feasible.

Achievements and Impact

The GI Cloud: Meghraj initiative by the government of India has made great advancements in its mission to modernize the country’s digital infrastructure as of the fiscal year 2023-24. Meghraj has supported numerous government departments in their functioning. The numbers show a 400% increase in usage of Meghraj by governmental departments from 342 in 2015-16 to 1730 in 2023-24 (360 Analytika, 2025). Thus, Meghraj has played a crucial foundational role in: 

1. Expanding accessibility: Citizens access services directly, minimizing intermediaries and corruption. The eSanjeevani telemedicine platform improved healthcare accessible in rural Odisha by reducing patient travel time by 70%.
2. Cost-cutting on IT: The common OPEX model eliminates the requirement for expensive, department-specific infrastructure. For example, the switch to MeghRaj from the e-Hospital platform saved ₹12 crore in FY 2022–2023.
3. Facilitating agility: Departments have the ability to scale applications up or down as needed. The MeghRaj enabled e-Hospital program accommodates more than 1,000 medical facilities, showcasing its versatility and scalability.
4. Enhancing digital inclusiveness: Rural communities gain through quicker deployment of schemes and digital services. MeghRaj-backed services are rapidly being connected with SMS and IVR (Interactive Voice Response) systems in an effort to close the digital divide, making it possible for people without smartphones to get internet access using simple mobile phones, particularly in rural and isolated places. 
5. MeghRaj’s disaster-recovery features ensure that e-governance services continue to function even in the event of cyberattacks or infrastructure failures. This resilience is especially important for the provision of welfare and healthcare

Few widely known and used e-governance platforms using Meghraj cloud infrastructure include DigiLocker, MyGov, and National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Along with this, Meghraj has also supported the cloud infrastructure and functioning of numerous programs such as Digital India, Startup India, and Skill India. 

Challenges and Future Directions

Even though it has been successful, MeghRaj has challenges such as:

1. Legacy System Integration: It takes sensitive change management to migrate legacy applications to a cloud-native setup.
2. Capacity Building: It is essential to upskill government personnel to manage and run cloud environments.
3. Interoperability: Intersystem integration of different platforms continues to be a work in progress.

Conclusion

This initiative’s goal is to maximize government ICT investment while expediting the nation’s e-service delivery.This will guarantee the best possible use of the infrastructure and expedite the creation and implementation of eGov apps. In the future, MeghRaj will be able to facilitate future fields like AI, IoT, Big Data, and edge computing for smart governance. The growth of MeghRaj will also demand more robust cybersecurity frameworks, increased public-private partnerships, and changing standards of data governance.

GI Cloud MeghRaj is a revolutionary foundation of India’s digital governance ecosystem. Utilizing the cloud, India is revolutionizing its administrative foundation, making cost-effective, safe, and scalable service delivery possible. Through ongoing innovation and policy development, MeghRaj is poised to be a world leader in government cloud projects, dynamics that will drive a more connected, transparent, and citizen-focused government.

References

1. DSCI. (2024). Accelerating public service delivery through cloud adoption. Data Security Council of India. https://www.dsci.in/resource/content/accelerating-public-service-delivery 
2. Dani, A. (2022). Digital India is a global success story. The Times of India Blogs. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/thedanispost/digital-india-is-a-global-success-story/
3. Nishith Desai Associates. (2018). MeghRaj: India’s cloud initiative. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.nishithdesai.com/Content/document/pdf/Quotes/180405_Q_indrastra.com-MeghRaj__Indias_Cloud_Initiative.pdf
4. Press Information Bureau. (2014, February 13). Government of India to launch ‘GI Cloud’ initiative – ‘MeghRaj’. Press Information Bureau. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=102979
5. National Informatics Centre. About cloud.gov.in. Cloud.gov.in. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://cloud.gov.in/user/about.php
6. Press Information Bureau. (2024, March 13). GI Cloud (MeghRaj): A major milestone in India’s digital governance. Press Information Bureau. Retrieved June 2, 2025, from https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=2082144
7. 360 Analytika. (2025, May 6). Statistical Insight on MeghRaj in India from 2015 to 2026. Retrievedfrom https://360analytika.com/statistical-insight-on-meghraj-in-india/
8. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. (2024, December). Annual Report 2024-25. Government of India. https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/12/10fcadec462c330211502fed3d24ea83.pdf
9. Intelehealth. (2025). Final report: eSanjeevani telemedicine initiative in rural Odisha (2023–2024). Retrieved from https://intelehealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FRA_Odisha_Report_Final_23-05-2025.pdf
10. National Informatics Centre. (n.d.). eHospital: Online Registration System (ORS). Retrieved from https://www.nic.in/project/ehospital/
11. National Scholarship Portal. (2024). NSP dashboard statistics FY 2023–24. Retrieved from https://nsp.gov.in/dashboard/

About the contributor: Varalika Raizada is a research intern at IMPRI. 

Acknowledgement: The author extends her sincere gratitude to Aasthaba Jadeja and fellow interns, who provided guidance throughout the process.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.

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