The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) is a flagship scheme launched by the Government of India under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with the objective of providing digital literacy to rural citizens across the country. PMGDISHA aims to bridge the digital divide and empower individuals, especially in rural areas, by equipping them with the necessary skills to effectively use digital devices and the internet. The scheme was introduced to ensure that every rural household has at least one digitally literate member, thereby contributing to the overall growth and development of rural India.
Objectives of PMGDISHA
The primary objective of the PMGDISHA scheme is to empower rural citizens with basic digital literacy, allowing them to participate actively in the digital economy and governance. The specific objectives of the scheme include:
- Bridging the Digital Divide: Providing digital literacy to rural citizens to enable them to access and use digital services effectively.
- E-Governance Participation: Enabling rural populations to use e-governance services for accessing government schemes, information, and services online.
- Promoting Digital Inclusion: Ensuring that people in rural areas are not left behind in the digital revolution.
- Enhancing Skills: Helping individuals develop skills related to basic computer usage, internet browsing, email communication, and digital transactions.
Target Audience of PMGDISHA
PMGDISHA primarily targets rural citizens who have limited exposure to digital technology and do not possess digital literacy. The scheme aims to provide training to individuals between the ages of 14 and 60 years in rural areas. Special focus is given to the following groups:
- Women: To empower women in rural areas with the ability to access digital platforms and improve their socio-economic standing.
- SC/ST and Minorities: To ensure inclusivity, the scheme prioritizes the digital literacy of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and minority communities.
- Differently-abled Individuals: The program also includes provisions to train differently-abled citizens in using digital technology.
Key Components of PMGDISHA
- Digital Literacy Curriculum: The curriculum under PMGDISHA includes basic knowledge of computers, the internet, and e-governance services. It also covers skills needed for conducting digital transactions, such as online banking, mobile wallets, and using government services online.
- Training Centers: The training is conducted through Common Services Centres (CSCs), which serve as the delivery points for the program. These centers are located in rural and remote areas across the country. They provide infrastructure and trainers to ensure that rural citizens receive proper guidance in digital literacy.
- Certification: After completing the training, participants are required to appear for an exam to assess their understanding of digital skills. Those who pass the exam receive a PMGDISHA Certificate, which serves as proof of their digital literacy. The certificate is issued digitally and can be stored in platforms like DigiLocker for easy access.
- Inclusion of Local Languages: To cater to the diverse population of India, the training materials are available in local languages, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder the learning process.
- Incentives for Trainers: PMGDISHA provides incentives to trainers, allowing them to earn based on the number of successful candidates trained and certified. This incentivization ensures that there is a motivated workforce delivering the training.
How PMGDISHA Works
The implementation of PMGDISHA follows a well-defined process that ensures maximum outreach and effective training:
- Enrollment: Rural citizens between the ages of 14 and 60 years are enrolled in the PMGDISHA scheme through the local CSCs. Enrollment is free, and candidates must provide their basic details, including their Aadhaar number.
- Training: After enrollment, candidates undergo digital literacy training, which typically lasts for about 20 to 30 hours. The training is conducted in a structured manner and covers topics such as:
- Introduction to digital devices (computers, smartphones, etc.)
- Using the internet and web browsing
- Accessing government services online
- Sending emails and using social media platforms
- Conducting secure digital transactions
- Examination: Upon completion of the training, candidates must appear for an online examination that tests their digital literacy skills. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and practical tasks to assess the candidate’s understanding and ability to use digital tools.
- Certification: After passing the exam, candidates are awarded the PMGDISHA certificate, which is available for download from DigiLocker. This certificate serves as an official recognition of the candidate’s digital literacy skills.
- Digital Empowerment: Once certified, the candidate is equipped with the knowledge and skills to use digital technologies for personal, social, and economic empowerment. The skills gained through PMGDISHA open doors to online education, digital banking, e-commerce, and other essential services.
Benefits of PMGDISHA
- Empowerment through Digital Literacy: PMGDISHA enables rural citizens to use digital technologies confidently, improving their ability to interact with the world. This digital empowerment brings about significant changes in the individual’s personal and professional life.
- Increased Access to Government Services: With digital literacy, individuals can easily access government services online, eliminating the need for physical visits to government offices and reducing time and effort.
- Improved Economic Opportunities: Digital literacy opens up avenues for individuals to start small businesses, access online marketplaces, and use mobile wallets and online banking services.
- Enhanced Employment Prospects: Candidates with digital literacy skills become more employable, as digital skills are in high demand across industries. This scheme thus helps improve livelihoods in rural areas.
- Social Inclusion: By offering digital literacy training to marginalized groups such as women, SC/ST, and minorities, PMGDISHA promotes social inclusion and reduces the digital divide.
Challenges of PMGDISHA
- Infrastructure and Connectivity Issues: In remote and rural areas, access to reliable internet and electricity can be a challenge, hindering the training process. Solutions such as mobile-based training platforms and offline content can help overcome this issue.
- Language Barriers: While the training is available in multiple local languages, the diverse linguistic landscape of India means that some regions may not have sufficient localized content, limiting the effectiveness of training.
- Awareness and Reach: In certain regions, there may be a lack of awareness about the PMGDISHA scheme and its benefits. Awareness campaigns and better outreach efforts are essential to ensure widespread participation.
- Quality of Training: The effectiveness of the training is highly dependent on the trainers. Ensuring that trainers are properly equipped with the necessary skills and resources to deliver high-quality education is crucial.
Conclusion
PMGDISHA is a revolutionary step towards bridging the digital divide in India. By focusing on providing digital literacy to rural citizens, especially women, marginalized communities, and the differently-abled, the scheme plays a crucial role in making India digitally empowered. It not only opens up opportunities for individuals in the digital space but also contributes to the larger goal of making India a knowledge-driven economy.
The PMGDISHA initiative is a part of India’s Digital India campaign, which aims to transform India into a digitally inclusive society. By equipping individuals with basic digital literacy skills, the scheme has the potential to drastically improve the socio-economic fabric of rural India, enhancing lives and livelihoods across the country.
For more information on PMGDISHA or to enroll in the program, visit the official PMGDISHA portal.