Lok Sabha Question No. 2245 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: Beneficiaries Trained under PMGDISHA
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2245

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 12.03.2025

## BENEFICIARIES TRAINED UNDER PMGDISHA

## 2245. SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a)  the  number  of  beneficiaries  trained  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Gramin  Digital  Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) in Gorakhpur district;

(b)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  digital  literacy  among  rural  populations especially in remote areas of Gorakhpur;

(c) the challenges faced in implementing the scheme in the district along with the measures taken to address them;

(d) the details regarding partnership with local institutions or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to enhance the digital skills of individuals in Gorakhpur; and

(e)  the  long-term  impact  of  PMGDISHA  on  empowering  citizens  and  enhancing  digital inclusion in Gorakhpur?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a)  and  (b):  The  Pradhan  Mantri  Gramin  Digital  Saksharta  Abhiyan  (PMGDISHA)  was initiated  to  reach  digital  literacy  in  6  crore  rural  households  (one  person  per  household) nationwide including the district of  Gorakhpur,  Uttar Pradesh. The training  &  certification under  the  scheme  was  officially  concluded  on  March  31st,  2024.  The  Scheme  was implemented  by  CSC  e-Governance  Services  India  Limited  through  4.39  Lakh  Common Service Centres spread across 2.52 Lakh Gram Panchayats across the country. As against 6 crore, 6.39 crore individuals were trained across the country.

In the district of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, a total of 2,56,870 candidates were trained under the  PMGDISHA  Scheme.  In  addition,  a  total  of  18,964  candidates  have  been  trained  in Gorakhpur district as of 05 March 2025 in the last 03 Years under the Digital Literacy Course (DLC) scheme.

(c)  and  (d):  To  enhance  the  effectiveness  of  digital  literacy  training,  National  Institute  of Electronics  &  Information  Technology  (NIELIT)  has  established  4101  and  59  facilitation Center in Uttar Pradesh (excluding Gorakhpur) and Gorakhpur, respectively.

(e):  The  National  Sample  Survey  Office  (NSSO)  conducted  the  'Comprehensive  Annual Modular Survey' (CAMS) in its 79th round (July, 2022 to June, 2023). As per the survey, among  the  persons  aged  15-24  years,  around  78.4  percent  reported  execution  of  skill  of 'sending messages (e.g., e-mail, messaging service, SMS)  with attached files (e.g., documents, pictures, video)'. Further, about 94.2 percent of rural households and about 97.1 percent  of  urban  households  possess  telephone  and/or  mobile  phone.  From  the  said  report, given the significant rise in smart-phone usage, internet penetration, and digital engagement in rural areas, the objectives of the scheme were successfully achieved.

Further,  the  impact  analysis  of  the  PMGDISHA scheme was carried out by three agencies namely  IIT  Delhi,  Council  for  Social  Development  (CSD)  and  Indian  Institute  of  Public Administration (IIPA). The latest impact assessment study of the PMGDISHA scheme was

- conducted  by  IIPA.  The  gist  of  the  evaluation  report  is  that  the  PMGDISHA  is  a  unique scheme due to its large scale and the use of remotely proctored examinations. The training provided under PMGDISHA has had a significant impact on the adoption of Information & Communication  Technology  (ICT)  and  other  forms  of  digital  media.  It  has  benefited  its participants by enabling their access to a wide range of information and services for various purposes, helping to reduce the overall digital divide in the country.

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