NET, IAS, State-SET (KSET, WBSET, MPSET, etc.), GATE, CUET, Olympiads etc.: Information Technology Act 2000

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The Action Plan endorsed by the Conference of Chief Ministers in 1987 had already addressed the pertinent issues of accountable and citizen friendly administration; and transparency and right to information. In pursuance of these issues, the Information Technology Act was promulgated in 2000. The objective of the Act is? to provide legal recognition for transactions carried out by means of electronic data interchange and other means of electronic communication, commonly referred to as = electronic methods of communication and storage of information ′ to facilitate electronic filing of documents with the Government agencies; and further to amend the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Banker ′ s Book Evidence Act, 1891 and the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto?

Both e-commerce and e-governance transactions are covered under the ambit of this Act, which facilitates acceptance of electronic records and digital signatures. The Act, thus, stipulates numerous provisions. It aims to provide for the legal framework so that legal sanctity is accorded to all electronic records and other activities carried out by electronic means.

Chapter III of the Act details about ‘Electronic Governance’ and provides inter-alia amongst others that where any law provides that information or any other matter shall be in writing or in the typewritten or printed form, then, notwithstanding anything contained in such law, such requirement shall be deemed to have been satisfied if such information or matter is:

  1. Rendered or made available in an electronic form
  2. Accessible so as to be usable for a subsequent reference