**Summary:**
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the Digital India initiative, has expanded digital inclusion efforts in Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) dominated areas through various programs. As of July 2025, approximately 2.92 lakh Common Services Centres (CSCs) have been established in these areas, with around 10% managed by women Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).
The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA), launched in 2017, has surpassed its initial target, training 6.39 crore individuals nationwide, with a specific focus on marginalized communities. This includes over 1.17 crore individuals from the ST community, 56 lakh from the SC community, and 2.55 crore from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community.
Furthermore, the Skill India Programme has provided training to over 2.29 lakh OBC candidates, 89,000 SC candidates, and 38,000 ST candidates. The BharatNet program has connected over 2.14 lakh gram panchayats with high-speed broadband, and plans are underway to expand 4G connectivity to approximately 40,000 villages.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Jitin Prasada, in the Lok Sabha. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi released this information on July 23, 2025, at 5:17 PM. Contact persons are Dharmendra Tewari and Navin Sreejith, Release ID: 2147397.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: The Indian government ministry responsible for electronics and information technology policy.
Digital India: A Government of India initiative to ensure that Government services are made available to citizens electronically by improved online infrastructure and by increasing Internet connectivity.
Common Services Centres (CSCs): A project to set up Common Services Centres to provide citizen centric services, often managed by Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA): A government scheme launched in 2017 to ensure digital literacy across the country.
BharatNet: A program to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to gram panchayats in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Skill India Programme: An initiative by the Government of India to train over 40 crore people in India in different skills by 2022.
Shri Jitin Prasada: Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Digital India Expands: Digital Inclusion in SC/ST
Areas Strengthened Through CSCs, PMGDISHA
and BharatNet
Posted On: 23 JUL 2025 5:17PM by PIB Delhi
Government of India launched a project to set up Common Services Centres (CSCs) to provide citizen centric
services. Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) are empowered to set up CSCs.
As on date, a total of 2.92 Lakh CSCs have been set-up in the Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST)
dominated areas. Further, approximately 10% CSCs in these SC/ST dominated areas are being managed by
women.
Government launched Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) in 2017 to ensure
digital literacy. Against the target to train 6 Cr individuals, a total of 6.39 crore individuals were trained across
the country.
It was ensured that marginalized sections of society such as Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST)
were specifically covered under the scheme. More than 1.17 Cr individuals belonging to ST community, more
than 56 Lakh people belonging to ST community and more than 2.55 Cr individuals belonging to OBC
community were trained.
Under Skill India Programme, more than 2.29 Lakh individuals belonging to OBC community candidates,
more than 89 thousand SC candidates and more than 38 thousand ST candidates have been trained.
Under BharatNet program, more than 2.14 Lakh gram panchayat have been made service ready with hi-speed
broadband. Under various schemes, 4G connectivity is being expanded to 40 thousand (approx.) villages.
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri
Jitin Prasada, in the Lok Sabha today.
***
Dharmendra Tewari/Navin Sreejith
(Release ID: 2147397)