**Policy Summary: Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA)**
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, implemented the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA) in 2017 with the objective of promoting digital literacy among rural citizens. The scheme, implemented by CSC eGovernance Services India Limited through 4.39 Lakh Common Service Centres (CSC) managed by Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), concluded on March 31, 2024.
PMGDISHA targeted individuals aged 14 to 60 in rural areas, providing them with the skills to operate computers, digital devices (tablets, smartphones), send and receive emails, browse the internet, access government services, search for information, and conduct digital payments. The program prioritized marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Below Poverty Line (BPL) individuals, women, differently-abled persons, and minorities.
The training program consisted of 20 hours of instruction, to be completed within 10 to 30 days. As of the scheme's conclusion, 6.39 crore individuals were trained nationwide, exceeding the initial target of 6 crore. Approximately 1.1 crore beneficiaries were trained in 112 Aspirational Districts across the country. The initiative aimed to empower citizens to actively participate in nation-building through IT and digital payments.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: The Indian government ministry responsible for electronics and information technology policy.
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan: A scheme (PMGDISHA) launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to promote digital literacy in rural India.
DR. C N MANJUNATH: Member of Parliament who raised the question about digital literacy targets under PMGDISHA.
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
CSC eGovernance Services India Limited: The implementing agency for the PMGDISHA scheme.
Common Service Centres: The physical centers (CSC) run by Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) that provide access to e-governance services and digital literacy training.
Aspirational Districts: 112 districts in the country identified for focused development and improved socio-economic indicators, where PMGDISHA training was provided to 1.1 crore candidates.
Scheduled Castes: One of the marginalized sections of society covered under the PMGDISHA scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4580
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 20 .08.2025
TARGETS FOR DIGITAL LITERACY UNDER PMGDISHA
4580. DR. C N MANJUNATH:
Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has set quantifiable targets for digital literacy under Pradhan Mantri
Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA) or related schemes;
(b) the number of beneficiaries certified under digital literacy initiatives in rural and aspirational
districts; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to integrate digital literacy with skilling, financial inclusion
and cyber safety awareness modules and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (c): Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India
launched Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) in 2017 to ensure
digital literacy. The Scheme was implemented by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited
through 4.39 Lakh Common Service Centres (CSC) run by Village Level Entrepreneurs
(VLEs).The scheme ended on 31stMarch 2024.
The PMGDISHA Scheme was aimed at bridging the digital divide through empowering the
citizens in rural population in the age group of 14 to 60 years by training them to operate computer
or digital access devices (like tablets, smart phones etc.), send and receive emails, browse internet,
access Government services, search for information, undertake digital payments etc. and hence
enable them to use the Information Technology (IT) and related applications especially Digital
Payments to actively participate in the process of nation building. The marginalized sections of
society like Scheduled Castes (SC)/Scheduled Tribes (ST), Below Poverty Line (BPL), women,
differently-abled persons, and minorities were covered under the said scheme. The duration of the
training was 20 hours to be completed in minimum 10 and maximum 30 days.
Under the scheme, a total of 6.39 crore individuals were trained across the country against the
target to train 6 crore individuals. Out of this, around 1.1 crore candidates were trained across 112
Aspirational Districts in the country.
*******