Digitalisation of Welfare and Pilgrimage Management: Examining the Role of Technology in Enhancing Accessibility and Equity at Mahakumbh 2025

Abstract

The Mahakumbh 2025, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, offers a unique opportunity to examine the transformative impact of digitalisation on welfare delivery and pilgrimage management. This study explores how digital technologies such as biometric systems, AI-driven analytics, digital payment platforms, and multilingual interfaces enhance accessibility and equity in welfare services for millions of pilgrims. It investigates the internal changes within state bureaucracies, including the integration of digital workflows and public-private partnerships, while analyzing their influence on service delivery efficiency. By evaluating the extent to which digitalisation facilitates inclusion and mitigates barriers for marginalized groups, the study offers insights into the intersection of technology, governance, and social equity. Furthermore, it examines shifts in pilgrims’ perceptions of the state’s legibility, accessibility, and trustworthiness due to digital interventions. The findings are expected to provide actionable recommendations for enhancing the equitable delivery of welfare services in large-scale public events, while highlighting the potential and challenges of digitalisation in reshaping citizen-state interactions in the contemporary era.