Equitable Agency: The Case for an AI Agent for Every Indian

Equitable Agency: The Case for an AI Agent for Every Indian

The article argues that one of India’s biggest development challenges is not a lack of resources, but procedural complexity. Many citizens are unable to access government schemes, banking services, or welfare benefits simply because the processes are too complicated to navigate. The systems exist, the funds exist, but the gap lies in execution—forms, documentation, and verification requirements create barriers that exclude millions, especially those with limited literacy or digital skills.

To address this, the article proposes the idea of a personal AI agent called “Doot,” designed to work on behalf of every Indian citizen. This agent would act as an intelligent assistant that understands user needs and automatically navigates government and financial systems. For example, a farmer seeking a loan could simply speak to the AI, which would identify the right scheme, verify identity through Aadhaar, retrieve documents from DigiLocker, and complete the application—eliminating the need for middlemen or manual paperwork.

The concept builds on India’s strong digital public infrastructure (DPI)—including Aadhaar for identity and UPI for payments—but highlights that a crucial “agentic layer” is missing. AI agents would bridge this gap by converting human intent into actionable processes across systems. With advancements in multilingual AI models, these agents could communicate in all major Indian languages, making services accessible even to those previously excluded due to linguistic or technical barriers.

Finally, the article emphasizes that such a system must be built with strong safeguards. The AI agent should remain fully under the control of the citizen, with secure identity binding and accountability mechanisms. If implemented responsibly, this approach could significantly reduce inequality, improve access to services, and create a more inclusive digital economy—ensuring that technology empowers every Indian, not just those who can already navigate complex systems.

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