PAN card, driving licence can now be accessed on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Digilocker documents such as the PAN card, driving licence, vehicle registration certificate can now be easily accessed via MyGov Helpdesk on WhatsApp, MyGov announced on Monday.

Citizens will now be able to create and authenticate their own Digilocker account on WhatsApp and download documents such as PAN card; driving licence; CBSE Class X passing certificate; vehicle registration certificate (RC); insurance policy - two wheeler; Class X and Class XII marksheets; and insurance policy document (life and non-life available on Digilocker), MyGov said in a statement.

According to MyGov, the move will make "the government services accessible, inclusive, transparent and simple".

WhatsApp users across the country can use the chatbot by simply sending 'Namaste' or 'Hi' or 'Digilocker' to the WhatsApp number +91 9013151515.

"Offering Digilocker services on the MyGov Helpdesk is a natural progression and a step towards providing citizens with simplified access to essential services via WhatsApp's easy and accessible platform. With almost 100 million+ people already registered on Digilocker and 5 billion+ documents issued till date, we are confident that the service on WhatsApp will digitally empower millions by helping them access authentic documents and information, right from within their phones," said Abhishek Singh, CEO MyGov, in the statement.

"Equipping the MyGov Helpdesk with Digilocker services that can be accessed directly via WhatsApp, we want to unlock technology's potential to extend the benefits of essential services to citizens at scale, and this is a significant step towards scaling up the Digital India vision and a digitally empowered country," added Shivnath Thukral, Director - Public Policy, WhatsApp.

Since its launch in March 2020, the MyGov Helpdesk (earlier known as MyGov Corona Helpdesk) on WhatsApp has served as a critical instrument in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic by offering people authentic sources of Covid-related information, along with critical uses like vaccine appointment bookings and vaccine certificate downloads.

So far, over 80 million people have reached out to the helpdesk, over 33 million vaccine certificates have been downloaded, and millions of vaccination appointments have been booked across the country. With new additions like Digilocker, the MyGov chatbot on WhatsApp aims to build a comprehensive administrative support system for citizens to access resources and essential services that are digitally inclusive. (IANS)

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