BHIM to MyGov: 9 government mobile apps you cannot do without

In this digital age, people can hardly stay away from mobile phones. From checking WhatsApp messages and surfing news sites, the day's schedule includes booking a taxi to work or ordering food and merchandise online. The Narendra Modi-led government, too, is increasingly looking to leverage the communications revolution by engaging with the masses through mobile apps, which not only help people to stay connected with government programmes, but also take part in the initiatives. Here's a look at the most popular and useful apps launched by the government.

Bharat Interface for Money or BHIM is a digital payments solution app, based on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) from National Payments Corporation of India, the country's nodal organisation for all retail payments systems. This app helps you transfer money directly between different bank accounts. Users can send or receive money using UPI payment addresses, phone numbers or QR Codes. All major Indian banks are linked to UPI for financial transactions.
 

Developed by Central Board of Excise and Custom, this app will tell you the exact and applicable GST rates. Entrepreneurs and businesses can use this app to learn about the current and applicable GST rates.

The app, Unified Mobile App for New-Age Governance, was developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and National e-Governance Division to promote Digital India initiative. The app is one integrated platform which provides over 100 services such as payment of utility bills, filing income tax, booking gas cylinder, checking provident fund account and more.

This is for individuals who are looking to get a new passport. The app offers several passport-related services and is quite easy to use. Services such as passport application status tracking, locating the Passport Seva Kendra and accessing other general information are readily available on the app.

The app helps users to create digital copies of their driving license and four-wheeler/two-wheeler registration certificate. Citizens can also verify existing car registration details. Buyers going for second-hand cars can use the app to verify the age and registration details.

This is a citizen engagement app where anyone can interact with government officials and flag their concerns, share ideas, comments, suggestions to central ministries and associated organisations.

Developed by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, this app helps you measure your data speed and other network information, and then sends your feedback to TRAI.
Although you can share your experience with TRAI, the app doesn't register personal information.

The rail connect app of Railways, designed for android phones, can be used to book tickets, including tatkal, cabs and avail many other services. Passengers can login by registering themselves on the IRCTC website. The app sends alerts to passengers on upcoming journeys and passengers can also change their boarding point through this app.
 

The app was launched to keep a tab on the progress of the cleanliness mission. Citizens can click and post pictures related to civic issues and send them to the concerned municipal authority through the app. All urban local bodies have been linked to this app.