On 19th-20th May, 2025, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), in collaboration with the Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA), Government of Uttarakhand, organized a two-day workshop on the OpenForge platform at Hotel Aketa, Rajpur Road, Dehradun. This initiative aimed to promote open-source collaboration and strengthen digital governance under the Digital India framework.
Objectives of the Workshop
Fostering Transparent and Collaborative Development
The workshop focused on enhancing transparency, security, and reusability in government software development through the OpenForge platform. Over 65 participants each day, including developers, software engineers, and project managers from more than 50 Uttarakhand government departments, engaged in hands-on training. The event fostered the adoption of modern development tools and encouraged a collaborative ecosystem for e-Governance projects.
Understanding the OpenForge Platform
A Pillar of Digital India
OpenForge, India’s official open-source platform, supports version control, project dashboards, issue tracking, CI/CD integration, and collaborative documentation. Developed under the Digital India initiative, it enables transparent and scalable software development for e-Governance applications, ensuring efficiency and interoperability across government systems.
Workshop Highlights and Key Sessions
Inauguration and Expert Guidance
The workshop was inaugurated by Ms. Nitika Khandelwal (IAS), Additional Secretary, IT, Government of Uttarakhand, who highlighted the importance of secure software practices in public systems. Key sessions included:
- Introduction to OpenForge and its role in Digital India.
- Demonstrations of Git-based version control, project management, and CI/CD pipelines by Mr. Amit Kumar (DGM, NeGD) and Mr. Sanjay Patel (Sr. Manager).
- Case studies of successful e-Governance projects on OpenForge.
- Hands-on training in managing repositories, workflows, and documentation.
Mr. J.L. Gupta, Director, NeGD, encouraged participants to adopt open-source approaches, while Mr. Ram Unyal, DGM, ITDA, advocated for statewide integration of OpenForge.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Date | 19th-20th May, 2025 |
| Location | Hotel Aketa, Dehradun |
| Participants | 65+ daily from 50+ Uttarakhand departments |
| Key Focus | OpenForge platform, open-source collaboration |
| Organizers | NeGD, ITDA |
Participating Departments and Impact
Broad Engagement Across Sectors
The workshop saw active participation from departments such as ITDA, UPCL, State Tax, Agriculture, Pollution Control Board, and Smart City Ltd. The training equipped participants to integrate OpenForge into their workflows, enhancing software development capacity and aligning with Digital India’s vision of a transparent and scalable digital public infrastructure.
Relevance for Competitive Exams
Key Takeaways for Aspirants
For students preparing for competitive exams such as UPSC, SSC, or State PSC, the OpenForge workshop is a significant topic under digital governance, Digital India, and current affairs. Aspirants should focus on:
- The role of OpenForge in promoting open-source collaboration for e-Governance.
- The objectives of the Digital India initiative in enhancing digital infrastructure.
- The importance of NeGD and ITDA in driving digital transformation.
- The impact of open-source platforms on transparency and efficiency in governance.
This workshop underscores India’s commitment to digital innovation and collaborative governance.
Key Highlights
- NeGD and ITDA hosted a two-day workshop on OpenForge on 19th-20th May, 2025 in Dehradun.
- Over 65 participants from 50+ departments received hands-on training in open-source tools.
- OpenForge supports version control, CI/CD, and collaborative documentation for e-Governance.
- Inaugurated by Ms. Nitika Khandelwal, the event aligned with Digital India’s vision.
- Relevant for competitive exams under digital governance, Digital India, and current affairs.