📌 Topic 02 of 6 · Chapter 05 · IT & Cybersecurity
Cloud Computing & MeghRaj
IaaS PaaS SaaS, MeghRaj government cloud, DigiLocker — complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
☁️ Cloud Computing — Service Models
| Model | Full Name | What User Gets | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | Infrastructure as a Service | Virtual machines, storage, networking — user manages OS, apps | AWS EC2, Azure VMs, Google Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Platform as a Service | Development platform, tools, runtime — user manages apps only | Google App Engine, Heroku, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Software as a Service | Ready-to-use software — user just uses it | Gmail, Office 365, Zoom, Salesforce |
☁️ Cloud Deployment Models
- Public Cloud — services offered to general public over internet (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- Private Cloud — dedicated to single organisation; more secure; higher cost
- Hybrid Cloud — combination of public and private clouds
- Community Cloud — shared by organisations with common concerns (government, healthcare)
☁️ MeghRaj — India’s Government Cloud
- MeghRaj = India’s government cloud computing platform
- Managed by NIC (National Informatics Centre)
- “Megh” = cloud in Sanskrit
- Provides IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS services to government departments
- Government applications hosted: e-District, e-Hospital, state government portals
- Part of Digital India initiative
☁️ DigiLocker
- Cloud-based platform for storing and accessing official documents digitally
- Launched in 2015 under Digital India
- Documents: Aadhaar, driving licence, vehicle registration, marksheets, PAN card
- DigiLocker documents are legally valid under IT Act
- Over 200 million users registered
- Reduces need to carry physical documents
⭐ Key Facts:
• Cloud computing = IaaS (infrastructure) + PaaS (platform) + SaaS (software)
• MeghRaj = India’s government cloud = NIC = “Megh” = cloud in Sanskrit
• DigiLocker = cloud document storage = 200 million+ users = legally valid
• India = 2nd largest internet user base in world (after China)
• NIC = National Informatics Centre = under MeitY
• Cloud computing = IaaS (infrastructure) + PaaS (platform) + SaaS (software)
• MeghRaj = India’s government cloud = NIC = “Megh” = cloud in Sanskrit
• DigiLocker = cloud document storage = 200 million+ users = legally valid
• India = 2nd largest internet user base in world (after China)
• NIC = National Informatics Centre = under MeitY