New Delhi: The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA), a flagship initiative by the Government of India to promote digital literacy in rural areas, has successfully trained 6.39 crore individuals as of 31 March this year.
The scheme, which targeted 6 crore rural households (one member per household), has exceeded its original objective, marking a significant milestone in India’s digital literacy journey.
This achievement was highlighted by the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, in response to a parliamentary question. The scheme, which has now concluded, aimed to empower rural populations by imparting essential digital skills, enabling them to access online services and participate in the digital economy.
Lok Sabha was also told that training centres established under PMGDISHA were instrumental in achieving this goal, with a total of 7,35,71,963 candidates registered and 6,39,41,716 crore successfully trained across all States and Union Territories.
Initiatives Supporting IT and Digital Growth
In addition to PMGDISHA, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has implemented complementary initiatives to promote IT-enabled services and digital skills development.
The India BPO Promotion Scheme (IBPS) and the North East BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) have been instrumental in creating jobs and fostering IT/ITES growth in smaller towns. These schemes provide financial incentives of up to Rs 1 lakh per seat and encourage local entrepreneurship, along with hiring women and disabled individuals.
India’s global standing as a leader in IT skills was further reinforced by a Stanford University ranking placing the country among the top four nations—alongside the US, UK, and China—in global and national AI vibrancy. To maintain this edge, MeitY and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) launched the FutureSkills PRIME program to re-skill and up-skill candidates in emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Big Data Analytics, and Cyber Security.
Additionally, the IndiaAI Mission includes initiatives such as the IndiaAI FutureSkills program and fellowship opportunities for B.Tech and M.Tech students in AICTE-recognized engineering institutions.
The success of PMGDISHA reflects India’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to technology. As the nation continues to prioritize digital literacy and IT skill development, these efforts are expected to play a crucial role in driving India’s transition to a digitally empowered society.
