Socio Connect: Bridging Citizens and Government Initiatives with Intelligent Systems

Abstract

The digital divide in India presents significant barriers for economically disadvantaged and illiterate citizens, obstructing their access to essential government services and information. Despite various efforts to bridge this divide, such as the UMANG (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) app, which consolidates multiple government services into a single platform, these solutions primarily cater to literate users with access to modern technology. The UMANG app, while comprehensive, remains inaccessible to those who are illiterate, semi-literate, or lack advanced devices [1][2]. Research highlights that a large segment of the Indian population continues to rely on basic mobile phones, which limits their ability to access digital services [3][4]. Our proposed solution, SOCIO CONNECT, addresses this gap by utilizing basic mobile technology to deliver government services through voice calls, making it accessible to both literate and illiterate users. By integrating voice-based interaction with government schemes, SOCIO CONNECT aims to enhance inclusivity and empower marginalized citizens who are otherwise excluded from digital solutions [5][6][7].