Digital Welfare Governance: Evaluating the Impact of the JAM Trinity and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Reforms in India

Abstract

India has moved from a disjointed, paper-based welfare system to a centralized, data-driven digital welfare state what is termed ‘new welfarism’This Paradigm Uses Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Platform to Remove Middlemen and Reduce Leakages This study examines the achievements and structural risks of this digitized framework guided by transaction cost economics, the Wilson-Lowi matrix and the integrated welfare empowerment model (IWEM). We Empirically Analyze Subnational Financial Inclusion-Growth Links, Over USD 20 Billion Cumulative Savings, and Significant Increases in Technical Efficiencies of Public Sector Banks. Meanwhile, we look at socio-technical disruptions like biometric authentication failures, online literacy gaps, and cash-out deficits. We end with strategic recommendations for multi-modal overrides and local grievance systems that balance administrative efficiency with social equity.