Lok Sabha Question No. 307 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-27
Subject: Digital India Mission in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D, Shri Tharaniventhan M S, Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 307

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 27.11.2024

## DIGITAL INDIA MISSION IN TAMIL NADU

## 307   SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S: DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY: SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:

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

- (a) the achievements of the Digital India Mission since its launch in 2015 along with the number of citizens benefitted from its services within Tamil Nadu, district-wise particularly Arani and Kallakurichi Constituency;
- (b) the current status of the Digital India infrastructure and the key initiatives launched thereunder including  internet  connectivity,  digital  literacy  programs  and  e-governance  services  in  rural and remote areas;
- (c) the steps taken/being taken to address the challenges of digital divide, especially in terms of providing  affordable  internet  access  and  promoting  digital  literacy  in  rural  and  underserved regions;
- (d) whether the Government has conducted any assessments on the effectiveness and impact of the Digital India Mission and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the funds allocated to the Digital India Mission so far including current financial year within Tamil Nadu along with its as on date utilization for its various components; and
- (f) whether the Government has any plans to expand or enhance the scope of the mission in the coming years and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  and  (b):    The  Digital  India  programme  is  centred  on  three  key  vision  areas,  namely  digital infrastructure  as  a  core  utility  to  every  citizen,  governance  and  services  on  demand,  and  digital empowerment of citizens. The overall goal is to ensure that digital technologies improve the life of every citizen, expand India's digital economy, and create investment and employment opportunities and digital technological capabilities in India.

Digital  India  has  considerably  bridged  the  distance  between  the  Government  and  citizens  and enhanced  trust  on  government  and  governance.  It  has  also  helped  in  the  delivery  of  services directly to beneficiaries in a transparent and corruption-free manner.

Several  schemes/projects  are  being  implemented  under  Digital  India  programme  for  creating awareness  and  providing  digital  facilities  to  citizens  in  all  States  and  Union  territories  (UTs), including in the State of Tamil Nadu.

Such digital facilities in the State of Tamil Nadu include:

- a) about 19,934 functional Common Service Centres (CSCs)
- b) certification  of  10.55  lakh  persons  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Gramin  Digital  Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) for functional digital literacy

District-wise functional CSCs and number of candidates certified under the PMGDISHA Scheme in the state of Tamil Nadu are at Annexure-I & Annexure-II respectively.

Several schemes/projects are being implemented under Digital India programme for strengthening of  digital  infrastructure  including  internet  connectivity,  to  improve  the  digital  literacy  and  egovernance services for providing digital facilities in rural and remote areas. Details of some of the key initiatives under Digital India are at Annexure-III.

In addition, citizens across the country, including state of Tamil Nadu, have also been enabled to access  e-services  under  various  initiatives,  such  as  Unified  Mobile  Application  for  New-age Governance (UMANG), DigiLocker, e-Sign, e-Hospital, e-Sanjeevani, Unified Payment Interface (UPI), Myscheme and MyGov, etc.

(c):  To  promote  digital  literacy,  skills  and  awareness  to  bridge  the  digital  divide  in  rural  and underserved  regions,  and  providing  affordable  internet  access,  following  initiatives  have  been taken:

- (i) (During the years 2014 to 2016, the Government of India had implemented two Schemes for providing digital literacy to the masses namely 'National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM)' and 'Digital Saksharta  Abhiyan  (DISHA)' with accumulative target of 52.50 lakh persons (one person from every eligible household) across the country including rural India. Under these two schemes, a total of 53.67 lakh beneficiaries were trained, out of which around 42% of candidates were from rural India. Both schemes have been closed now.
- (ii) In the year 2017, the Government approved a Scheme titled ''Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)'' to usher in digital literacy in rural India with a target to cover  6  crore  rural  households  (one  person  per  household)  across  the  country.  As  on  31 st March 2024, as against a total target of covering 6 crore beneficiaries, more than 7.35 crore candidates  were  enrolled  and  6.39  crore  were  trained,  out  of  which  4.78  crore  candidates were certified under the PMGDISHA Scheme across the country. The training & certification under the PMGDISHSA Scheme has been officially concluded on 31.03.2024.
- (iii) MeitY  in  collaboration  with  NASSCOM  has  initiated  a  programme  titled  FutureSkills PRIME. The programme is aimed at re-skilling/ up-skilling of IT professionals in 10 new/ emerging  technologies  which  include  Augmented/Virtual  Reality,  Internet  of  Things,  Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Robotic Process Automation, Additive Manufacturing/ 3D Printing, Cloud Computing, Social & Mobile, Cyber Security and Blockchain.
- (iv) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) implemented by National Skill Development  Corporation  (NSDC).  The  objective  of  this  Skill  Certification  scheme  is  to enable Indian youth to take up industry relevant skill training that will help them in securing a better livelihood. As on 26th July 2024, around 19.31 lakh candidates have been trained and out of which 9.44 lakh candidates have been certified under the PMKVY Scheme.
- (v) For  promoting  digital  education  and  facilitating  students,  teachers  and  parents  across  the country, DIKSHA platform has been implemented. The platform is free and open for use by anyone. As on date, 557.09 crore learning sessions have been imparted using DIKSHA. It has achieved 17.98 crore course enrolments and 14.38 crore course completions. As on date, 1.75 crore users are registered on DIKSHA platform.
- (vi) Basic communication / Internet connectivity is provided in the country by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers, through wireless mobile and fixed wire line connections. As per information furnished by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), based on data provided by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), Department of Telecom field's unit  as  of  September'2024,  out  of  6,44,131  villages  in  the  country  (village  data  as  per Registrar General of India), around 6,22,840 villages are  covered  with  (2G/3G/4G) connectivity and 6,14,564 villages are covered with 4G Technology.
- (vii) BharatNet project is being implemented  in a phased manner  to provide  broadband connectivity  to  all  the  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs)  and  villages,  including  tribal  areas.  The infrastructure  created  under  BharatNet  project  is  a  national  asset,  accessible  on  a  nondiscriminatory  basis  to  the  Service  Providers,  and  the  same  can  be  utilized  to  provide broadband services, such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines,  dark  fibre,  backhaul  to  mobile  towers,  etc.  On  04.08.2023,  the  Union  Cabinet  has approved  the  Amended  BharatNet  Program  (ABP),  for  providing  connectivity  to  2,64,554 GPs  includes  the  existing  GPs  those  are  already  Service  Ready.  As  of  October,  2024; 2,14,283 GPs have been made service ready under BharatNet project in the country.
- (viii) Government of India had launched a redesigned and expanded Scheme for the year 2022-23 named as 'Scheme for Special Assistance to states for Capital Investment 2022-23'. A total amount of Rs 3000 crores was earmarked for Part-V (Optical Fiber Cable) of the Scheme for Special  Assistance  to  states  for  Capital  Investment  2022-23.  Funds  can  be  used  to  extend

BharatNet to Villages from the GPs covered as at present for Last Mile Connectivity (LMC) on  the  OFC  to  Government  Institutions  (like  School,  Health  Centre,  Anganwadi,  Police Station,  Krishi  Vikash  Kendra,  Post  Office,  ration  Shop  etc.),  Private  Institutions  and Households from Bharat Net network.

- (d):  Under  Digital  India  programme,  evaluation  of  the  impact  of  all  major  schemes  is  generally carried out through an independent third party, which is not involved in the implementation of the Scheme  to  ensure  fair  independent  assessment.  The  impact  assessment  studies  of  Electronic Governance scheme under Digital India Programme was conducted through Centre for Innovations in  Public  Systems  (CIPS),  Hyderabad  in  October,  2020.  The  study  has  brought  out  that  Digital India is transforming citizen services by providing access to information driven through technology,  integrating  various  systems  and  services  between  government  and  citizens,  thereby empowering and enhancing citizen's social, environmental and economic values.
- (e):  Digital  India  is  an  umbrella  programme  that  covers  projects  of  various  central  Ministries/ Departments  &  States/UTs.  Each  project  has  its  own  budgetary  requirement  and  accordingly project-plan has been charted out by the implementing Ministry/departments and budget details are being  maintained  by  concerned  Ministries/Departments  &  States/UTs.  There  are  8  sub-schemes under the Digital India programme. These sub-schemes are Central Sector Schemes, no

State/UT-wise  allocation  is  made.  Budget  allocated  and  utilised  by  MeitY  under  Digital  India programme is as follows:

| Financial Year   | Expenditure (in ₹ crore)   |
|------------------|----------------------------|
| 2015-2016        | 1384.50                    |
| 2016-2017        | 1176.38                    |
| 2017-2018        | 1451.59                    |
| 2018-2019        | 3328.54                    |
| 2019-2020        | 3191.09                    |
| 2020-2021        | 3030.54                    |
| 2021-2022        | 4504.36                    |
| 2022-2023        | 3863.13                    |
| 2023-2024        | 4174.14                    |
| 2024-2025        | 2829.38 (as on 18/11/2024) |

- (f): In August 2023, the Government approved the expansion/ extension of the Digital India programme with a total  outlay  of  ₹  14,903.25  crore  during  the  period  of  the  15 th Finance Commission i.e., 2021-22 to 2025-26.

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Annexure-I District-wise functional CSCs in the state of Tamil Nadu

|   Sl. No. | District Name   |   ACTIVE CSCs |
|-----------|-----------------|---------------|
|         1 | Ariyalur        |           372 |
|         2 | Chengalpattu    |           267 |
|         3 | Chennai         |           592 |
|         4 | Coimbatore      |           690 |
|         5 | Cuddalore       |           859 |
|         6 | Dharmapuri      |           598 |
|         7 | Dindigul        |           547 |
|         8 | Erode           |           596 |
|         9 | Kallakurichi    |           389 |
|        10 | Kanchipuram     |           385 |
|        11 | Kanniyakumari   |           836 |

| 12    | Karur           | 346    |
|-------|-----------------|--------|
| 13    | Krishnagiri     | 600    |
| 14    | Madurai         | 613    |
| 15    | Mayiladuthurai  | 121    |
| 16    | Nagapattinam    | 426    |
| 17    | Namakkal        | 376    |
| 18    | Perambalur      | 315    |
| 19    | Pudukkottai     | 407    |
| 20    | Ramanathapuram  | 670    |
| 21    | Ranipet         | 250    |
| 22    | Salem           | 1041   |
| 23    | Sivaganga       | 453    |
| 24    | Tenkasi         | 456    |
| 25    | Thanjavur       | 644    |
| 26    | The nilgiris    | 196    |
| 27    | Theni           | 480    |
| 28    | Thiruvallur     | 540    |
| 29    | Thiruvarur      | 372    |
| 30    | Tiruchirappalli | 829    |
| 31    | Tirunelveli     | 688    |
| 32    | Tirupathur      | 268    |
| 33    | Tiruppur        | 516    |
| 34    | Tiruvannamalai* | 695    |
| 35    | Tuticorin       | 581    |
| 36    | Vellore         | 482    |
| 37    | Villupuram      | 650    |
| 38    | Virudhunagar    | 788    |
| Total |                 |        |
|       |                 | 19,934 |

## Annexure-II

## District-wise status of Tamil Nadu state under the PMGDISHA Scheme:

| Sl.No.   | District Name   | Registered Candidates   | Trained Candidates   | Certified Candidates   |
|----------|-----------------|-------------------------|----------------------|------------------------|
| 1.       | Ariyalur        | 64,156                  | 57,289               | 41,521                 |
| 2.       | Chennai         | 240                     | 159                  | 122                    |
| 3.       | Coimbatore      | 47,814                  | 35,754               | 25,026                 |
| 4.       | Cuddalore       | 41,012                  | 28,758               | 19,064                 |
| 5.       | Dharmapuri      | 77,289                  | 64,813               | 49,392                 |
| 6.       | Dindigul        | 40,951                  | 33,980               | 23,524                 |
| 7.       | Erode           | 42,479                  | 35,604               | 28,212                 |
| 8.       | Kanchipuram     | 38,116                  | 26,204               | 19,207                 |
| 9.       | Kanniyakumari   | 30,580                  | 23,710               | 17,379                 |
| 10.      | Karur           | 41,929                  | 36,663               | 25,691                 |
| 11.      | Krishnagiri     | 71,346                  | 63,430               | 48,405                 |
| 12.      | Madurai         | 21,776                  | 15,226               | 9,729                  |
| 13.      | Nagapattinam    | 36,584                  | 26,814               | 17,858                 |
| 14.      | Namakkal        | 43,372                  | 35,812               | 28,058                 |
| 15.      | Perambalur      | 47,162                  | 43,402               | 30,964                 |
| 16.      | Pudukkottai     | 92,548                  | 81,623               | 61,284                 |
| 17.      | Ramanathapuram  | 38,405                  | 27,702               | 19,382                 |
| 18.      | Salem           | 80,404                  | 73,193               | 58,153                 |
| 19.      | Sivaganga       | 72,036                  | 58,065               | 48,961                 |
| 20.      | Thanjavur       | 61,175                  | 52,646               | 34,869                 |
| 21.      | TheNilgiris     | 6,625                   | 2,202                | 1,446                  |
| 22.      | Theni           | 20,819                  | 14,783               | 10,195                 |
| 23.      | Thiruvallur     | 56,489                  | 48,445               | 32,073                 |
| 24.      | Thiruvarur      | 48,957                  | 35,015               | 23,866                 |
| 25.      | Tiruchirappalli | 1,08,842                | 95,369               | 72,025                 |
| 26.      | Tirunelveli     | 50,015                  | 38,889               | 27,719                 |
| 27.      | Tiruppur        | 31,576                  | 25,148               | 18,399                 |
| 28.      | Tiruvannamalai* | 1,62,506                | 1,50,730             | 1,34,955               |
| 29.      | Tuticorin       | 15,992                  | 10,782               | 6,900                  |
| 30.      | Vellore         | 47,167                  | 32,172               | 22,856                 |
| 31.      | Villupuram**    | 1,14,547                | 95,151               | 70,931                 |
| 32.      | Virudhunagar    | 51,628                  | 38,347               | 27,069                 |
|          | Total           | 17,04,537               |                      |                        |
|          |                 |                         | 14,07,880            | 10,55,235              |

The present status of some of the key initiatives undertaken under Digital India programme for  strengthening  of  digital  infrastructure  including  internet  connectivity,  to  improve  the digital literacy and e-governance services for providing digital facilities in rural and remote areas across the country are as follows:

-  Internet  connectivity: Basic  communication  /  Internet  connectivity  is  provided  in  the country  by  Telecom  Service  Providers  (TSPs)  and  Internet  Service  Providers,  through wireless  mobile  and  fixed  wire  line  connections.  As  per  information  furnished  by  the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), based on data provided by Telecom Service Providers  (TSPs),  Department  of  Telecom  field's  unit  as  of  September'2024,  out  of 6,44,131 villages in the country (village data as per Registrar General of India), around 6,22,840  villages  are  covered  with  (2G/3G/4G)  connectivity  and  6,14,564  villages  are covered with 4G Technology.
-  BharatNet: BharatNet  project  is  being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide broadband  connectivity  to  all  the  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs)  and  villages,  including  tribal areas. The infrastructure created under BharatNet project is a national asset, accessible on a  non-discriminatory  basis  to  the  Service  Providers,  and  the  same  can  be  utilized  to provide  broadband  services,  such  as  Wi-Fi  Hotspots,  Fibre  to  the  Home  (FTTH) connections, leased lines, dark fibre, backhaul to mobile towers, etc. On 04.08.2023, the Union  Cabinet  has  approved  the  Amended  BharatNet  Program  (ABP),  for  providing connectivity to 2,64,554 GPs includes the existing GPs those are already Service Ready. As of Oct-2024; 2,14,283 GPs have been made service ready under BharatNet project in the country.
-  National Knowledge Network: National Knowledge Network ('NKN') carries the digitaltraffic of National/state Data Centres (NDCs/SDCs), State-Wide Area Networks (SWANs) and provides connectivity to various Digital India initiatives. It also carries digital-traffic of various G2G (Government to Government) and G2C (Government to Citizen) services. NKN also inter-connects all knowledge institutions across the country through high-speed data communication network to encourage sharing of resources and collaborative research. So  far,  2024,  1,802  links  to  institutions  had  been  commissioned  and  made  operational under NKN. 522 NKN links have been connected to NIC district centers across India.
-  National  Digital  Literacy  Mission  (NDLM): During  the  years  2014  to  2016,  the Government of India had implemented two Schemes for providing digital literacy to the masses  namely  'National  Digital  Literacy  Mission  (NDLM)'  and  'Digital  Saksharta Abhiyan  (DISHA)'  with  accumulative  target  of  52.50  lakh  persons  (one  person  from every  eligible  household)  across  the  country  including  rural  India.  Under  these  two schemes,  a  total  of  53.67  lakh  beneficiaries  were  trained,  out  of  which  around  42%  of candidates were from rural India. Both schemes have been closed now.
-  Pradhan  Mantri  Gramin  Digital  Saksharta  Abhiyaan  (PMGDISHA): In  order  to improve  the  digital  literacy  rate,  especially  in  rural  India,  the  Government  of  India implemented  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)  across  the  country.  As  on  31 st March  2024,  as against  a  total  target  of  covering  6  crore  beneficiaries,  more  than  7.35  crore  candidates were  enrolled  and  6.39  crore  were  trained,  out  of  which  4.78  crore  candidates  were certified under the PMGDISHA Scheme across the country. The training & certification under the PMGDISHSA Scheme has been officially concluded on 31.03.2024.
-  Aadhaar: Aadhaar  is  the  world's  largest  digital  identity  programme  that  provides biometric  and  demographic-based  unique  digital  identity;  which  can  be  authenticated anytime,  from  anywhere  and  also  eliminates  duplicate  and  fake  identities.  As  on  date, 138.64 Crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated.
-  Common Services  Centres  CSCs  are  offering  government  and  business  services  in digital mode in rural areas through Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs). Over 800 services are being delivered through CSCs, including government services, financial services and
- services  related  to  Aadhaar,  various  social  welfare  schemes,  education,  tele-medicine, travel  bookings,  utility  payments.  So  far,  5.91 lakh  CSCs  are  functional  across  the country(rural  +  urban),  out  of  which  4.69  lakh  CSCs  are  functional  at  the  Gram Panchayat(rural) level.
-  DigiLocker :  It  is  a  platform  for  issuance  and  verification  of  documents  &  certificates digitally.  It  has  facilitated  more  than  34.95  crore  users  and  made  available  776  crore issued  documents.  Several  fintech  companies,  working  on  banking  and  financial  sector, are using DigiLocker for easy on boarding of users.
-  Unified  Mobile  App  for  New-Age  Governance  (UMANG): UMANG  is  unified platform for all Indian Citizens to access pan India e-Gov services ranging from Central to Local  Government  bodies  and  other  citizen  centric  services.  Currently,  2,057  services from 207 Central/State/UT departments have been on-boarded on UMANG.
-  myScheme: myScheme  is  a  National  Platform  that  aims  to  offer  one-stop  search  and discovery of the Government schemes. The platform helps the citizens to find the right Government schemes for them. It also guides on how to apply for different Government schemes.  So  far,  there  are  a  total  of  2,770  schemes  published  out  of  which  Central government schemes are 520 whereas State/UT government schemes are 2,230.
-  Unified Payment Interface (UPI): It  is  India's leading digital payment platform. In the month  of  October,  2024  alone  more  than  1,658  crore  financial  transactions  were  done using UPI. By making digital payment platform technology and device agnostic, UPI has contributed to financial inclusion up to the grassroot level.
-  Digital  Infrastructure  for  Knowledge  Sharing  (DIKSHA) :  It  is  the  world's  largest, most  diverse  school  education  platform.  As  on  22 nd July  2024,  556.37  crore  learning sessions  have  been  imparted  using  DIKSHA.  It  has  achieved 17.95  crore course enrolments and 14.37 crore course completions.
-  e-Sign: e-Sign service facilitates instant signing of forms/documents online by citizens in a legally acceptable form. The services are being leveraged by various applications using OTP based authentication services of UIDAI. More than 79.84 Crore e-Sign issued by all ESPs.
-  MyGov It is a citizen engagement platform that is developed to facilitate participatory governance. Presently, over 2.76+ crore users are registered with MyGov, participating in various activities hosted on MyGov platform.
-  MeriPehchaan  National  Single  Sign-on  (NSSO)  platform  called  MeriPehchaan  has been launched in July 2022 to facilitate / provide citizens ease of access to government portals. Currently 12,068 services of various Ministries/States have been integrated with NSSO.
-  e-Hospital/ Online Registration System (ORS) e-Hospital application is the Hospital Management  Information  System  for  internal  workflows  and  processes  of  hospitals. Currently, 694 Hospitals have been on-boarded on e-Hospital and ORS has been adopted by 720 hospitals across the country with over 74 lakh appointments booked from ORS.
-  eSanjeevani  National  Telemedicine  Service  of  India  is  a  step  towards  digital  health equity  to  achieve  Universal  Health  Coverage  (UHC).  eSanjeevani  facilitates  quick  and easy access to doctors and medical specialists from your smartphones. Over 30.87 Crore patients at over 129,200 Health & Wellness Centers (as spokes) through 16,360+ hubs and over 660 online OPDs serviced by more than 225,000 doctors, medical specialists, superspecialists and health workers as telemedicine practitioners
-  CO-WIN It is an open platform for management of registration, appointment scheduling & managing vaccination certificates for Covid-19. It has registered 110 crore persons and has facilitated administration of 220 crore doses of vaccinations.
-  Jeevan Pramaan: Jeevan Pramaan envisages to digitize the whole process of securing the life  certificate  for  Pensioner.  With  this  initiative,  the  pensioner  is  no  more  required  to physically  present  himself  or  herself  in  front  of  disbursing  agency  or  the  certification authority. Over 960.88 lakh Digital Life certificates have been processed since 2014.
-  Open Government Data Platform -  To  facilitate  data  sharing  and  promote  innovation over nonpersonal data, Open Government Data platform has been developed. More than

5.04 lakh datasets across 12,434+ catalogues are published. The platform has facilitated 104.90 lakh downloads.

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