Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) is the scheme to make 6 crore persons in rural areas digitally literate, reaching to around 40% of rural households by covering one member from every eligible household.

The scheme is aimed at empowering the citizens in rural areas by training them to operate computer or digital devices (tablets, smart phones, etc.), send and receive e-mails, browse Internet, access Government services, search for information, undertake digital payment, etc. and hence enable them to use the Information Technology and related applications especially Digital Payments to actively participate in the process of nation building.

Thus, the scheme aims to bridge the digital divide, specifically targeting the rural population including the marginalised sections of society Scheduled Castes (SC)/Scheduled Tribes (ST), Minorities, Below Poverty Line (BPL), women, and persons with disability

UNDERSTANDING PMGDISHA

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) launched in 2017 under the Digital India program, aims to digitally empower six crore rural households by providing digital literacy to at least one person in each household. The scheme focuses on making individuals familiar with the use of digital devices such as computers, tablets, and smartphones, along with teaching them to perform essential online activities like digital payments, email communication, and accessing government services.

The program primarily targets rural citizens aged between 14 and 60 years, with a focus on marginalized communities, including women, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

OBJECTIVES OF PMGDISHA

The overarching goal of Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) is to promote digital inclusion, ensuring that rural India keeps pace with urban areas in embracing the digital revolution. The specific objectives include:

Enhancing Digital Literacy: Making rural citizens comfortable with technology and teaching them to perform basic digital tasks.

Promoting Digital Transactions: Encouraging the use of cashless modes of payment and familiarizing citizens with online banking and mobile wallets.

Access to Digital Services: Enabling rural populations to access government services online, such as applying for documents, paying utility bills, and availing benefits under various welfare schemes.

Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide: Reducing the disparity between urban and rural areas in terms of digital access and skills.

TARGET GROUP

The target beneficiaries under the scheme are:

A household is defined as a unit comprising of Head of family, spouse, children and parents. All such households where none of the family member is digitally literate will be considered as eligible household under the Scheme.

ENTRY CRITERIA: The beneficiary should be Digitally Illiterate, only one person per eligible household would be considered for training, age Group: 14 to 60 years

Priority would be given to non-smartphone users, Antyodaya households, college drop-outs, Participants of the adult literacy mission, digitally illiterate school students from class 9th to 12th, provided facility of Computer/ICT Training is not available in their schools,

Preference would be given to SC, ST, BPL, women, differently-abled persons, and minorities

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME

Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) is implemented through a network of Training Centers (TCs) across the country. These centers, accredited by the government, deliver a comprehensive training program covering modules such as Basic computer operations (switching on/off, using a mouse, etc.), Internet browsing and applications, Sending and receiving emails, Cashless transactions via Unified Payments Interface (UPI), e-wallets, and other methods, Awareness about cybersecurity and staying safe online.

DURATION OF TRAINING

The training duration is approximately 20 hours, completed over a span of 10 to 30 days, depending on the availability of learners. Post-training, participants undergo an online examination, and successful candidates receive a certificate from the government.

TRAINING PARTNERS

A training partner must be an organization registered in India, conducting business in the domain of education/IT literacy for more than three years and having Permanent Income Tax Account Number (PAN) and audited statements of accounts for at least last 3 years.

The institution/organization should be registered under any act of law in India e.g., in the case of a company it must be registered with the Registrar of Companies; in the case of Society, it must be registered with the Registrar of Societies and so on and so forth.
The partner must have clearly defined objectives, well-documents processes and procedure covering the entire range of education/IT literacy training

The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) is more than just a digital literacy program; it is a transformative initiative driving socio-economic empowerment in rural India. By equipping citizens with essential digital skills, PMGDISHA is enabling them to harness the benefits of technology, improving their quality of life, and fostering inclusive growth.

With continued efforts and strategic enhancements, PMGDISHA has the potential to create a digitally literate India, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital revolution.

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