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UPSC » Daily News Analysis ‘Computer Literacy in India’: 5 July

Daily News Analysis ‘Computer Literacy in India’: 5 July

The recently released National Service Scheme (NSS) 78th round of the Multiple Indicator Survey (conducted in 2020-21) is a household survey that provides individual-level information on computer literacy.

Table of Content

About Computer Literacy: 

  • Computer literacy, defined as the ability of individuals and communities to understand and use digital technologies for meaningful actions within life situations, as per Multiple Indicator Survey, released by MoSPI. 

India’s Computer Literacy:

  • The percentage of people over 15 who are computer literate rose from 18.4% in 2017–18 to 24.7% in 2020–21.
  • Computer literacy increased from 11.1% in rural areas to 18.1% in urban areas, and from 34.7% to 39.6% in rural areas.
  • Considering that a substantial portion of the population, particularly in rural areas, remains digitally excluded, these data are alarming and pose significant challenges to India’s digital objectives.

Related Committees:

  • National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM), 2014: To make at least one person in every household digitally literate.
  • National e-Governance Advisory Group (NEGAG): Provides recommendations for e-governance initiatives.
  • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA), 2017: To make six crore rural households digitally literate.

Why in News?

The recently released National Service Scheme (NSS) 78th round of the Multiple Indicator Survey (conducted in 2020-21) is a household survey that provides individual-level information on computer literacy.