Lok Sabha Question No. 2195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Definition of Digital Literacy
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2195

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 04.03.2020

## DEFINITION OF DIGITAL LITERACY

## 2195.    SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) the definition of digital literacy as per the Government and the parameters used for its assessment;
- (b) the digital literacy rate of the country, age-group wise;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to bridge the digital literacy divide in the country;
- (d) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  including  the  private  sector  in  the  National Digital Literacy Mission; and
- (e) the digital literacy rate of Srikakulam, age-group wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY  DHOTRE)

(a):   Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is implementing a  scheme titled 'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan' (PMGDISHA) for ushering in digital literacy  in  rural  India  by  covering  6  Crore  rural  households.  As  per  the  guidelines  of PMGDISHA Scheme, the digital literacy has been defined as the ability of individuals and communities to understand and use digital technologies for meaningful actions within life situations. Under the Scheme, the parameters used for assessment of beneficiaries inter-alia includes  understanding  the  basics  (terminology,  navigation  and  functionality)  of  digital devices and using them for accessing, creating, managing and sharing information; using the Internet; using technology to communicate effectively; appreciating the role of digital technology  in  everyday  life,  in  social  life  and  at  work;  and  carrying  out  cashless transactions using digital financial tools, online citizen centric services, etc.

(b):   National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has published the 71st Round Survey Report titled 'Social Consumption - Education Survey 2014', which inter-alia covers IT Literacy. As per this report, the proportion of households in the Country having computer was found to be around 14% (only 6% of rural households and 29% of urban households possessed computer). Further, for the age 14 years and above, the ability to operate computer in rural and urban areas was reported as under:

| Proportion (per 1000) of population (age 14 years and above) able to operate a computer   | Proportion (per 1000) of population (age 14 years and above) able to operate a computer   | Proportion (per 1000) of population (age 14 years and above) able to operate a computer   | Proportion (per 1000) of population (age 14 years and above) able to operate a computer   | Proportion (per 1000) of population (age 14 years and above) able to operate a computer   | Proportion (per 1000) of population (age 14 years and above) able to operate a computer   | Proportion (per 1000) of population (age 14 years and above) able to operate a computer   | Proportion (per 1000) of population (age 14 years and above) able to operate a computer   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Rural                                                                                     | Rural                                                                                     | Rural                                                                                     | Rural                                                                                     | Urban                                                                                     | Urban                                                                                     | Urban                                                                                     | Urban                                                                                     |
| Age group (years)                                                                         | Age group (years)                                                                         | Age group (years)                                                                         | Age group (years)                                                                         | Age group (years)                                                                         | Age group (years)                                                                         | Age group (years)                                                                         | Age group (years)                                                                         |
| 14-29                                                                                     | 30-45                                                                                     | 46-60                                                                                     | 60 and above                                                                              | 14-29                                                                                     | 30-45                                                                                     | 46-60                                                                                     | 60 and above                                                                              |

| 183   | 41   | 14   | 3   | 489   | 243   | 148   | 68   |
|-------|------|------|-----|-------|-------|-------|------|

(c):    The steps taken by the Government to bridge the digital literacy divide in the country include the following:

- (i) In the years 2014 to 2016, two Schemes entitled 'National Digital Literacy Mission' (NDLM)  and  'Digital  Saksharta  Abhiyan'  (DISHA)  were  implemented  by  the Government with a target to train 52.50 lakh candidates in digital literacy across the country  including  rural  India.  Under  these  two  schemes,  a  total  of  53.67  lakh beneficiaries were trained, out of which around 42% candidates were from rural India.
- (ii) In February 2017, the Government of India approved a scheme titled 'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)' to usher in digital literacy in rural India by covering 6 crore rural households (one person per household). Special focus of  the  said  Scheme  is  on  training  the  beneficiaries  on  use  of  Electronic  Payment System. So far, more than 3.46 crore candidates have been enrolled and around 2.81 crore  have  been  trained,  out  of  which  more  than  2.06  crore  candidates  have  been certified under the PMGDISHA Scheme.
- (d):   The  National  Digital  Literacy  Mission  is  now  closed.  However,  under  the  Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan' (PMGDISHA), private sector companies have been  involved  in  implementation  through  their  CSR  initiatives  primarily  for  training  the candidates outside the rural areas.

(e):   The  data  on  age-group  wise  Digital  literacy  rate  of  Srikakulam  is  not  available. However, under the PMGDISHA scheme, so far, 48,011 candidates have been registered in Srikakulam; out of which 40,104 candidates have been trained and 25,882 candidates have been duly certified.

********