Scheme Type: Digital Literacy & Skill Development
Launched By: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Target Area: Rural India
Implementing Agency: CSC e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC-SPV)
What is Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA)?
Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA) is a flagship digital literacy scheme of the Government of India aimed at making 6 crore people in rural India digitally literate. The scheme focuses on covering one digitally illiterate member from every eligible rural household, thereby reaching nearly 40% of rural households across States and Union Territories.
The primary objective of PMGDISHA is to bridge the digital divide by empowering rural citizens with essential computer, internet, and digital payment skills so they can actively participate in Digital India and access citizen-centric government services.
PMGDISHA Scheme at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan |
| Ministry | MeitY (Ministry of Electronics & IT) |
| Coverage | Rural areas only |
| Target Beneficiaries | 6 Crore rural citizens |
| Age Limit | 14 to 60 years |
| Training Cost | Free |
| Mode of Training | Offline + Mobile-based support |
| Implemented By | CSC-SPV |
Objectives of PMGDISHA Scheme
The PMGDISHA scheme aims to:
- Promote digital literacy in rural India
- Enable citizens to use computers, smartphones, and tablets
- Encourage cashless transactions and digital payments
- Improve access to government e-services
- Support financial inclusion and digital empowerment
- Strengthen participation in nation building
Who Can Benefit from PMGDISHA?
Eligible Beneficiaries
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Digital Literacy | Must be digitally illiterate |
| Household Rule | Only one person per eligible household |
| Age Limit | 14–60 years |
| Area | Rural only |
Priority Categories
| Priority Groups |
|---|
| Non-smartphone users |
| Antyodaya households |
| College drop-outs |
| Adult literacy mission participants |
| Digitally illiterate students (Class 9–12, where ICT is unavailable) |
Preference Given To
| Social Category |
|---|
| SC / ST |
| BPL families |
| Women |
| Differently-abled persons |
| Minority communities |
PMGDISHA Exclusions
| Excluded Areas |
|---|
| Panchayats falling under urban agglomerations |
| Cities listed in Appendix-I of official guidelines |
Benefits of Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan
PMGDISHA empowers rural citizens by providing hands-on training in:
- Operating computers and smart devices
- Sending and receiving emails
- Browsing the internet safely
- Accessing government portals
- Using digital payment systems
- Downloading and using Digital Locker
- Applying for certificates and services online
📌 On average, 200–300 beneficiaries per Gram Panchayat are trained, depending on district-level requirements.
PMGDISHA Digital Literacy Training Details
Course Duration
| Total Training Hours |
|---|
| 20 Hours |
PMGDISHA Course Modules
| Module Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Digital Devices | Basics of computers & smartphones |
| Operating Digital Devices | Practical device handling |
| Introduction to Internet | Internet usage & safety |
| Internet Communication | Email, messaging, online communication |
| Internet Applications | Govt services & digital payments |
Learning Outcomes & Competency Standards
After completing PMGDISHA, beneficiaries will be able to:
- Understand basic digital terminology
- Use devices for information creation & sharing
- Browse the internet responsibly
- Communicate using digital platforms
- Perform cashless transactions (UPI, USSD, AEPS, PoS, e-Wallets)
- Use DigiLocker
- Access online citizen services
- Understand the importance of digital technology in daily life
Citizen-Centric Services Covered in PMGDISHA Curriculum
| Services Included |
|---|
| Caste, Domicile & Income Certificates |
| UIDAI Services |
| Banking & Insurance |
| IRCTC Railway Booking |
| Electricity Bill Payment |
| PAN Card & Passport |
| Mobile/Data Recharge |
| Voter ID Services |
PMGDISHA Content & Language Support
- Training content available in 22 scheduled Indian languages + English
- Mobile app for offline content access
- Audio-visual learning for non-literate users
- Localized content using regional resources
Application Process for PMGDISHA
Mode: Offline Enrollment
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Identification | CSC-SPV with Gram Panchayats & DeGS |
| Enrollment | Nearest PMGDISHA Training Centre |
| Authentication | Aadhaar-based |
| Login Credentials | Unique username & password provided |
Documents Required for PMGDISHA
| Document | Mandatory |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Number | Yes |
| Proof of Age / DOB | Yes |
Role of Training Partners under PMGDISHA
| Responsibility |
|---|
| Setting up training centres |
| Enrolling eligible candidates |
| Delivering digital literacy training |
| Conducting assessments |
| Uploading training data |
| Ensuring certification |
PMGDISHA Training Partner FAQs
Who can become a PMGDISHA Training Partner?
Government bodies, NGOs, educational institutions, and CSCs fulfilling eligibility norms.
What is the training fee under PMGDISHA?
Training is completely free for beneficiaries.
How is payment made to training partners?
Payments are performance-based and released after successful training and certification.
What is the duration of the training program?
The total training duration is 20 hours.
How are login credentials provided to candidates?
Credentials are generated during enrollment and shared via the training centre.
What is the tenure of training partner accreditation?
As per guidelines issued by MeitY / CSC-SPV.
Can a training partner operate in multiple states?
Yes, subject to eligibility and approval norms.
Where can partners check payment status?
On the PMGDISHA / CSC portal dashboard.
Whom to contact for implementation issues?
CSC-SPV helpdesk or respective District e-Governance Society (DeGS).
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA) is a transformative initiative aimed at digitally empowering rural India. By providing free digital literacy training, access to government services, and cashless payment skills, the scheme plays a crucial role in inclusive growth, financial inclusion, and Digital India mission success.