Lok Sabha Question No. 5279 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-02
Subject: Increase in Digital Literacy
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5279

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 02.04.2025

## INCREASE IN DIGITAL LITERACY

## 5279.  SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:

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

- (a) the details of the Government's plan to increase digital literacy among students particularly in rural and underprivileged areas where internet connectivity is a challenge;
- (b)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  is  addressing  the  digital  divide  ensuring  that  all students  regardless  of  their  socio-economic  background  have  equal  access  to  online  learning resources;
- (c)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government to provide remote learning  solutions for students during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the manner in which such models are likely to be made more sustainable;
- (d)  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  is  promoting  the  use  of  ed-tech  companies  and platforms in schools to supplement traditional teaching methods; and
- (e)  the  policies  put  in  place  to  safeguard  students  privacy  and  data  security  in  growing  use  of digital learning tools and platforms in schools?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (b):  The  Government  of  India  has  initiated  several  schemes/  programmes  to  promote digital literacy among the citizens from all States/UTs including rural India namely:
- i. National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) - 10,38,851 were trained during the period 2014-2016.
- ii. Digital  Saksharta  Abhiyan  (DISHA) -  77,70,005  (one  person  from  every  eligible household) that included field level government functionaries namely Anganwadi and ASHA workers and authorized ration dealers were trained during the period 2014-2016.
- iii. Pradhan  Mantri  Gramin  Digital  Saksharta  Abhiyan  (PMGDISHA) -  6.39  crore citizens  (one  person  per  household)  were  trained  during  2017-2024.  The  scheme  has concluded on 31.03.2024.
- iv. National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) , is providing training  on  digital  literacy  courses  such  as  Awareness  in  Computer  Concept  (ACC), Basic  Computer  Course  (BCC),  Course  on  Computer  Concepts  (CCC)  and  Expert Computer Course (ECC) etc.

(c) to (d): The various remote learning solutions/models and teaching methods including the use of  ed-tech  companies  and  platforms  in  schools  to  supplement  traditional  teaching  methods initiated are:

- i. A comprehensive initiative called PM eVidyawas initiated as part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan in May 2020 to enable multi-mode access to education across the country. The PM  eVidya  initiative  is  implemented  with  the  support  of  the  National  Council  of Educational  Research  and  Training  (NCERT).  The  key  components  of  PM  eVidya  are also aligned towards enhancing digital literacy and include:
2.  DTH TV Channels: 12 DTH Channels have been expanded to 200 PM eVidya DTH TV Channels to enable all States/UTs to provide supplementary education in various Indian languages, including for classes 1-12. One hour of content on Digital Literacy is broadcast by NCERT daily on DTH Channels and YouTube to enhance the digital literacy of students and teachers in rural areas.
3.  Digital Infrastructure for  Knowledge  Sharing ( DIKSHA),  the  nation's digital infrastructure, is providing quality e-content for school education in States/UTs and QR coded Energized Textbooks for all grades (One Nation, One Digital platform).Overall,560.09 crore learning sessions have been  completed on DIKSHA by  students,  teachers,  and  other  stakeholders.  Further,  the  courses  on  Computer Sciences  on  the  DIKSHA  platform  for  Class  XI  and  Class  XII  include  Digital Literacy components. To promote crucial critical thinking skills and to give space for creativity, a vertical on Virtual Labs has been created on the DIKSHA platform. The Ed-Tech  companies  can  leverage  the  DIKSHA  Platform  and  share  their  content through the Vidyadaan feature.
- ii. OLabs NextG (OLabs Next Generation): 'OLabs NextG: Next Generation Online Labs (OLabs) for schools,' is being implemented by CDAC, Mumbai for access to 173 labs Physics,  Chemistry,  Biology,  and  Maths  and  are  available  in  regional  languages  Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, etc.
- iii. FutureSkills  Prime-  MeitY  has  initiated  a  programme  titled  'FutureSkills  PRIME'  in 2019, jointly with National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), aimed at re-skilling/ up-skilling candidates in new/emerging technologies.
- iv. YUVAi- Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI: 'YUVAi: Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI'-  A  National  Programme  for  School  Students  with  the  objective  of  enabling  school students from classes 8 th to 12 th with AI tech and social skills in an inclusive manner. The programme provides a platform for youth to learn and apply AI skills in 8 thematic areasKrishi,  Aarogya,  Shiksha,  Paryavaran,  Parivahan,  Grameen  Vikas,  Smart  Cities,  and Vidhi aur Nyaay.
- v. NIELIT  offers  online  training  through  the  NIELIT  Virtual  Academy  that  provide flexibility and accessibility, allowing learners to study at their own pace from any location and thus extend an equitable environment, ensuring inclusive access to quality education for learners from diverse backgrounds.

(e):    The Ministry of Education, through NCERT, has developed the PRAGYATA Guidelines, which  were  published  by  the  Government  of  India  on  14th  July  2020.  The  PRAGYATA Guidelines recommend parents to actively engage with their children and monitor their physical & mental well-being, watching for signs of anxiety, depression, or anger during digital learning and  being  attentive  to  secretive  online  behavior.  Open  communication  about  internet  use, instruction  on  hygiene/healthy  lifestyle  practices  (using  digital  resources),  and  a  balance  of online time with offline play and physical activities are essential. Additionally, NCERT conducts comprehensive  workshops  and  webinars  designed  to  enhance  cyber  safety  knowledge  and promote responsible digital awareness among participants.

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