India Launches Skill India Digital Stack: Revolutionizing Credentials and Empowering Citizens
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in India has recently launched a groundbreaking initiative called the Skill India digital stack. This innovative platform aims to create a national registry for skills and skilled professionals, providing an opportunity for every citizen of the country to publish their digital credentials, including their skill certificates.
The Skill India digital stack is set to have a transformative impact on Indians in the coming years. With the ability to store and share their digital credentials, individuals will have the opportunity to showcase their skills to potential employers both within India and across the world. This will not only boost their employability but also pave the way for India to claim a significant portion of the global economy.
One of the key advantages of the Skill India digital stack is its passwordless authentication system. In a world that has long relied on user ids and passwords, this new initiative marks a shift towards more secure and convenient authentication methods. Hemen Vimadalal, CEO of 1Kosmos, a blockchain-powered identity and authentication platform, emphasizes that the era of passwords is coming to an end. Many everyday activities, such as using fingerprints to unlock smartphones and accessing government services through biometric authentication, have already adopted passwordless systems.
The move away from traditional passwords is driven by the increasing complexity of security threats and the growing risk of cybercriminals targeting individuals with weak passwords. Vimadalal points out that forcing people to create complex passwords only introduces friction and inconvenience without providing sufficient protection. Moreover, with the advancement of quantum computing and artificial intelligence, passwords can be easily cracked in the future.
The Skill India digital stack addresses these concerns by eliminating the need for passwords altogether. Instead, individuals can register and access the platform using their mobile number tied to their Aadhaar number, a unique identification number issued by the Indian government. This ensures a streamlined and secure authentication process for all users.
To build a robust and scalable platform, the NSDC has partnered with Hitachi Systems India to develop a cloud system that enables millions of users to access the Skill India digital stack from anywhere and any device. Authentication is a critical aspect of this development, as only verified individuals should be granted access. Integration with 1Kosmos allows for identity-based authentication, ensuring the legitimacy of every user.
Nandkumar Saravade, former CEO of Reserve Bank Information Technology (ReBIT), emphasizes the importance of alternative security measures like the Skill India digital stack. With millions of cybersecurity jobs globally remaining vacant due to a shortage of skilled professionals, Saravade sees a great opportunity for Indian talent to excel in this field. The country’s demographic dividend can be leveraged to address the shortage and bolster India’s expertise in cybersecurity.
The Skill India digital stack aims to meet global privacy and security standards like GDPR, providing individuals with the confidence that their credentials are protected. With over six lakh candidates already registered on the platform, the NSDC expects to reach close to 5 million individuals by the end of the year. By empowering its citizens and equipping them with digital credentials, India is positioning itself to make a significant impact on the global workforce.
In conclusion, the Skill India digital stack is revolutionizing the way individuals showcase their skills and credentials. With its passwordless authentication system and national registry for skills, this platform empowers citizens by providing them with opportunities both domestically and internationally. As the world moves towards a passwordless future, India is leading the way in embracing innovative and secure authentication methods.
