How SimpleGov initiative is simplifying processes for government services

The Tamil Nadu government recently launched the simplification, digitisation, and process re-engineering of a total of 55 government services, as part of the second phase of the SimpleGov initiative.

On February 13, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the initiative during a function in Chennai. SimpleGov, a governance reform initiative of the Tamil Nadu government, was instituted in 2023 aimed at systematically simplifying rules, procedures, approvals and service delivery mechanisms across departments.

“The idea is to gradually ensure that all the government services are easy to access,” explained retired IAS officer P.W.C. Davidar, who is now the Advisor for SimpleGov initiative. In the first phase, the Chief Minister launched the simplification, digitisation and process re-engineering of 10 government services in May 2025. In some cases, a revised process flow has reduced timelines from a year and a half to just 30-45 minutes.

Auto-generated licences with QR codes, among others, have significantly reduced the time taken for process completion, he said.

These simplification efforts, however, were far from simple as several Acts and government orders had to be amended accordingly to facilitate the process. In some services, about 25 to 30 steps that were in practice for over 40 to 50 years were brought down to three steps, Mr. Davidar said, adding, “In effect, it is reworking the process flow of government services.”

The three major stages in a process were establishing the identity of the applicant, verifying eligibility and providing the final order. “We have simplified each of these steps.”

Though Aadhaar was made the identity document in most cases, provision has also been made to use ration card as identity proof in some cases. As for organisations, PAN card has been made the identity document. “We have made the process so simple that it will only ask the applicant for what is absolutely necessary for that service,” Mr. Davidar explained.

SimpleGov has had significant impact on G2C (Government to Citizen), G2B (Government to Business), and G2G (Government to Government) services and has cross-sectoral applicability, covering citizen services, welfare schemes, business-facing approvals, and inter-departmental processes. “The orders issued will now be translated into an online application shortly.”

Some of the 55 services whose processes have been simplified include: registration for the Chief Minister’s Uzhavar Pathukappu Thittam; assistance schemes for inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage, and orphan girl children; pensions for destitute, deserted, and unmarried women; registration of childcare institutions; and marriage assistance for persons with disabilities; renewal or name change/address change in driving licences; fire licences for buildings; and licensing for lifts and escalators.