Parul
The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA), a flagship initiative launched by the Government of India to bridge the digital divide in rural areas, has successfully exceeded its target of training six crore individuals. As of March 31, 2024, the scheme recorded a total of 6.39 crore beneficiaries, surpassing its goal by a significant margin.
The program aimed to empower one individual per rural household with digital literacy skills, fostering inclusion in the nation’s digital transformation journey. With the conclusion of the scheme, the achievement underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing rural digital infrastructure and capabilities.
In addition to PMGDISHA, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) implemented the India BPO Promotion Scheme (IBPS) and the North East BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) to bolster employment and IT-enabled services (ITES) in smaller towns. These schemes offer financial assistance of up to ₹1 lakh per seat to promote local entrepreneurship, create jobs, and encourage the hiring of women and differently-abled individuals.
India continues to assert its global leadership in IT skills, recognized among the top four countries in the Global and National AI Vibrancy Rankings by Stanford University. This position reflects the nation’s strong foundation in digital innovation and education.
To maintain its edge, MeitY, in collaboration with the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), has initiated the FutureSkills PRIME program. This initiative focuses on reskilling and upskilling individuals in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Big Data Analytics, 3D Printing, and Cybersecurity.
Moreover, the IndiaAI FutureSkills program under the India AI Mission offers AI-focused fellowships for B.Tech and M.Tech students in AICTE-recognised institutions. These efforts are aimed at nurturing talent and driving innovation in fields critical to India’s technological advancement.
The achievements under PMGDISHA, coupled with complementary initiatives like IBPS, NEBPS, and FutureSkills PRIME, underline the government’s holistic approach to digital empowerment and economic growth. These programs not only enhance India’s workforce readiness but also strengthen its position as a global IT powerhouse.
