Why World Development Information Day Matters Today

World Development Information Day, observed on October 24 each year, focuses on a simple but important idea: development depends on people having access to information. The day stresses the role of ICT, the internet, and media in making development knowledge available to everyone.

India offers a striking example of this principle. Its Digital Public Infrastructure, which includes Aadhaar, UPI, and the India Stack, has emerged as a model for the developing world. UPI, which started in 2016 with 0.01 crore monthly transactions, crossed 2,000 crore monthly transactions by 2025.

The importance of this model is also recognised internationally. The DPI framework was counted among the top 10 most impactful reforms in the world. In fiscal year 2021-22 alone, UPI processed transactions worth more than 1 trillion US dollars. A World Bank study found that banks connected to this digital platform recorded a 2 percent higher growth rate.

The UN has highlighted the need to connect the digital energy of young people with creative development. Globally, 79 percent of youth aged 15 to 24 are using the internet, making such integration an urgent priority.

The day was created in 1972 through a UN General Assembly resolution, in response to Cold War barriers that limited the sharing of information. Its first observance followed in 1973, and it continues to call for public awareness and global cooperation.

Ultimately, the message is clear. Development is meaningful only when it steadily improves the welfare of every person and reaches all sections of society. Without fairness and equal access, the goals of development remain unmet.