The 29th National e-Governance Conference (NeGC) concluded in Jaipur on 3 July 2025 with Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh delivering a pointed message: governments must not merely adopt Artificial Intelligence but deploy it with deliberate intelligence to strengthen public administration. The valedictory session, held at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), also saw the presentation of the National e-Governance Awards 2026 and the formal release of the Jaipur Declaration.

Key Address: AI as a Governance Imperative

Minister Singh underscored that AI has moved from being an optional tool to an essential pillar of modern administration. 'The challenge is not merely adopting AI but using it wisely. Human intervention will continue to remain crucial alongside technological advancement,' he said. He urged state governments to set short-term, measurable milestones rather than anchoring all planning solely to the long-term India@2047 vision.

Citing the rapid obsolescence of technologies such as VCRs and STD booths within two decades, Singh questioned how administrative roles would evolve by 2047 in an increasingly digital governance ecosystem — a rhetorical prompt aimed at spurring proactive planning among state officials.

India's Governance Reforms and Global Recognition

Singh noted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Centre has pursued a futuristic governance approach by continuously leveraging emerging technologies to improve transparency, efficiency, and public service delivery. He pointed to the repeal of obsolete laws as a measure that has simplified administrative processes significantly.

Referencing flagship initiatives such as Mission Karmayogi and the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), Singh said India's governance reforms have drawn international attention, with countries including Mauritius, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and South Africa adopting several Indian e-governance and administrative innovations.

Rajasthan's Digital Governance Leadership

Rajasthan Information Technology and Communication Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that while the world is debating AI, India is advancing towards 'responsible and inclusive AI' under Prime Minister Modi's leadership. He stressed that technology must not remain confined to innovation alone but must ensure its benefits reach every section of society.

Rathore described the conference as the beginning of a transformative journey rather than its conclusion, adding that suggestions and innovations shared by experts would be studied in detail and useful models implemented as pilot projects across different districts of Rajasthan. Singh also highlighted that Rajasthan has emerged as a leader in e-governance implementation and remains one of the most preferred cadres among Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.

Conference Scale and the Jaipur Declaration

Chief Secretary V. Srinivas said e-governance has evolved beyond system management to become a means of 'managing possibilities'. Around 200 experts and speakers shared experiences and best practices during the two-day event, and nearly 100 digital platforms and technology solutions were showcased.

Union Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances Secretary Nivedita Shukla Verma noted that this year's National e-Governance Awards received nominations from nearly 1.65 lakh Gram Panchayats — a signal that digital innovation has spread well beyond traditional centres of excellence into rural India. The Jaipur Declaration, formally released at the ceremony, outlines the conference's key recommendations and future roadmap for technology-enabled governance across India.

What Comes Next

With the Jaipur Declaration now in hand, state governments are expected to align their digital governance roadmaps with the conference's recommendations. Rajasthan has committed to piloting select models at the district level, potentially serving as a template for other states. The broader question — how India balances AI-driven efficiency with the human accountability that citizens demand — will likely define the next edition of NeGC.