A Decade of CSC Connecting Citizens Through Technology
- CSC SPV celebrates 10 years of Digital India with nationwide events and recognition of top-performing VLEs.
- Union Ministers announce new initiatives, including free AI training for 10 lakh individuals and expansion of CSC services.
- CSC network reaches 5.5 lakh centres, empowering rural citizens with digital services and bridging the digital divide.
In a grand celebration marking a decade of transformative digital governance, the Common Service Centre e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), commemorated 10 years of the Digital India initiative at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi. The event underscored India’s journey in digital empowerment and its success in bridging the digital divide through grassroots-level interventions.
Graced by the presence of Union Minister of Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State for Electronics & IT, Shri Jitin Prasada, the event brought together key stakeholders from across the country, including thousands of Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) who serve as the driving force behind the CSC model.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, inaugurating the celebrations as Chief Guest, lauded the contributions of VLEs in taking digital services to the remotest corners of India. “Our VLE brothers and sisters have proven that India’s digital dream is not confined to urban boundaries. Today, digital transactions through UPI have overtaken even Visa, showing the power of 1.4 billion Indians. From tea sellers to vegetable vendors, digital is the new normal”, he stated.
He highlighted that CSC has now reached nearly 90% of India’s villages and praised it as the only medium with the potential to connect every village with the digital world. Citing inspiring stories of VLEs like Manjulata from Odisha and Rose Angelina from Meghalaya, the Minister emphasized how women across remote regions are becoming symbols of change and empowerment by leveraging digital platforms.
“In the East West Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, VLE Rose Angelina has become a beacon of digital empowerment. From her CSC centre in Mairang, she is not just delivering services but driving social change”, the Minister noted.
Marking the decade of progress, Shri Vaishnaw announced several key initiatives, including free AI training for 10 lakh individuals with priority given to VLEs encouraging VLEs to begin IRCTC ticketing services, and a commitment to integrate CSC-SPV with state-level IT agencies through discussions with Chief Ministers.
Shri Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State for Electronics & IT, in his address, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusive digital growth. “Ten years ago, Digital India was a vision. Today, it is a reality thanks to the relentless dedication of our VLEs. From just 83,000 centres in 2014, we now have close to 5.5 lakh CSCs across the country”, he shared.
He highlighted the role of CSCs in empowering rural India, especially through the integration of Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS). A special mention was made of over 74,000 women VLEs, who are setting new standards in digital inclusion.
“With the rise of AI and evolving technologies, it's critical that we use these tools to uplift communities, especially in sectors like agriculture, health, and education. Cybersecurity, digital literacy, and service diversification will be crucial in this journey”, Prasada added.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Shri Sanjay Rakesh, MD & CEO of CSC SPV, remarked, “There is no longer a need to travel to cities for basic services. CSCs have become the digital doorway for rural India, delivering both government (G2C) and business (B2B) services at people’s doorsteps. In the last 10 years, CSC has become a symbol of India’s digital evolution and rural empowerment”.
As part of the celebrations, CSC Diwas was marked with nationwide fervor. In Delhi, a two-day event was held from July 15 to 16, with the first day witnessing deliberations by IT Secretaries from all states at Bharat Mandapam on themes like rural digital empowerment and future governance models.
Between July 1 and 15, CSC centres across the country actively participated in the celebrations, organizing local events with community involvement. Top-performing VLEs were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to digital inclusion and innovation at the grassroots level.
Since the launch of the Digital India program by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2015, the country has undergone a major transformation in e-governance, financial inclusion, and online service delivery. India has emerged as the world’s third-largest digital economy, with platforms like UPI, Aadhaar, and CSC playing a pivotal role.
Established in 2009, CSC SPV has grown to become one of the world’s largest digital service delivery ecosystems. Each CSC is run by a VLE who offers a wide range of services including Aadhaar enrollment, PAN and passport services, banking and insurance, telemedicine, education, skill training, legal aid through Tele-Law, and e-commerce via the Grameen eStore.
As India celebrates 10 years of Digital India, the CSC model stands as a shining example of how technology, when democratized and localized, can transform lives. From empowering individuals to building a digitally inclusive nation, the journey has just begun.
