**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's efforts to bridge the digital divide in Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities, as detailed in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 461 on July 23, 2025.
As part of the Digital India Programme, approximately 292,000 Common Service Centres (CSCs) have been established in SC/ST-dominated areas, with roughly 10 CSCs in these areas managed by women Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).
The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA), launched in 2017, aimed to promote digital literacy. Against a target of training 60 million individuals, 63.9 million individuals were trained across the country, including 11.7 million individuals from ST communities, 5.6 million individuals from SC communities, and 25.5 million individuals from OBC communities.
Under the Skill India Programme, over 229,000 OBC candidates, 89,000 SC candidates, and 38,000 ST candidates have received IT skills training.
To address the digital divide in remote tribal areas, the BharatNet program has made high-speed broadband service-ready in over 214,000 gram panchayats. Furthermore, 4G connectivity is being expanded to approximately 40,000 villages under various schemes.
The Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Jitin Prasada, provided this information.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: The Indian government ministry responsible for electronics and information technology policy.
Common Service Centres: A project to set up Common Services Centres CSCs to provide citizen centric services.
Digital India Programme: A Government of India initiative to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
Village Level Entrepreneurs: Individuals empowered to set up Common Service Centres (CSCs).
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan: A government scheme to promote digital literacy among rural populations, especially targeting Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
Skill India Programme: An initiative to train individuals in IT skills, including those from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
BharatNet: A program to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to gram panchayats in India.
Scheduled Castes: A group of historically disadvantaged communities in India that are constitutionally recognized.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 461
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.07.2025
COMMON SERVICE CENTRES IN SC/ST AREAS
461. SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY:
Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) the number of Common Service Centres (CSCs) established in SC/ST dominated areas under
the Digital India Programme;
(b) the percentage of women Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) managing these CSCs;
(c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to promote digital literacy among Scheduled
Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes communities through the Pradhan Mantri
Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA);
(d) the number of SC/ST/OBC youth trained in IT skills under the Skill India Programme; and
(e) the measures adopted to address the digital divide in remote tribal areas?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (e): 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.
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