Daily Current Affairs : 2-November-2024

The Digital India Common Service Center (DICSC) project is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to provide digital services in rural areas and bridge the digital divide. The aim is to ensure that people living in remote parts of India have access to important digital services, thereby promoting digital literacy and inclusion.

Objective of the DICSC Project

The primary goal of the Digital India Common Service Center project is to bring government services, financial assistance, and other essential digital services to the grassroots level. This initiative is designed to empower rural citizens and ensure they are not left behind in India’s digital transformation. By setting up centers in rural areas, it offers services such as e-governance, education, healthcare, and financial assistance.

Key Features of the DICSC

  1. Centers and Locations:
    • The project includes 4,740 service centers across 10 districts, such as Pilibhit and Gorakhpur.
    • These centers are primarily located in gram panchayats (village councils) to ensure they reach remote areas.
  2. Services Provided:
    • The centers offer a wide range of services, including:
      • Aadhaar (UIDAI registration and updates)
      • Banking services (financial transactions, account opening)
      • Tele-law (legal consultations via video call)
      • Telemedicine (health consultations online)
      • Education (online learning platforms)
      • E-commerce (shopping and product delivery)
  3. Infrastructure:
    • The centers are equipped with high-speed broadband internet, modern facilities, and GPS-enabled mobile vans to reach more people.
  4. Economic Growth and Employment:
    • The project helps create jobs by supporting Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), who manage these centers and provide services to the community.
    • It boosts local economies by offering new digital opportunities and services to the rural population.
  5. Budget:
    • The project has been allocated ₹31.6 crore for a period of six months, which can be extended up to nine months if needed.

Important Points:

  • Initiative by MeitY: Launched under the Digital India program by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
  • Objective: Aims to bridge the digital divide in rural India by providing digital services at the grassroots level.
  • Key Services Offered:
    • Aadhaar registration and updates
    • Banking services (account opening, transactions)
    • Tele-law (legal consultations via video calls)
    • Telemedicine (health consultations online)
    • Education (online learning platforms)
    • E-commerce (shopping and product delivery)
  • Coverage: 4,740 service centers across 10 districts, including Pilibhit and Gorakhpur.
  • Infrastructure: Equipped with high-speed broadband, modern facilities, and GPS-enabled mobile vans.
  • Economic Impact: Supports job creation and empowers Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) to run the centers.
  • Budget: ₹31.6 crore for six months, extendable to nine months.
  • Goal: Promote digital literacy, financial inclusion, and e-governance in rural areas.

Why In News

The Digital India Common Service Center (DICSC) project is an initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), designed to bridge the digital divide in rural areas by providing essential digital services at the grassroots level, thereby empowering local communities and promoting inclusive growth.

MCQs about The Digital India Common Service Center Initiative

  1. What is the main objective of the Digital India Common Service Center (DICSC) project?
    A. To provide digital services only to urban areas
    B. To bridge the digital divide in rural areas
    C. To provide mobile phones to rural citizens
    D. To create job opportunities for urban youth
    Correct Answer: B. To bridge the digital divide in rural areas
    Explanation: The DICSC project aims to provide essential digital services at the grassroots level in rural areas, helping bridge the digital divide between urban and rural populations.
  2. Which ministry is responsible for the Digital India Common Service Center (DICSC) project?
    A. Ministry of Rural Development
    B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
    C. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
    D. Ministry of Education
    Correct Answer: B. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
    Explanation: The DICSC project is initiated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which is responsible for overseeing its implementation.
  3. What type of services are provided at the Digital India Common Service Centers (DICSC)?
    A. Only banking services
    B. Only education and e-commerce
    C. A wide range of services including Aadhaar, banking, telemedicine, and more
    D. Only healthcare services
    Correct Answer: C. A wide range of services including Aadhaar, banking, telemedicine, and more
    Explanation: The centers provide a variety of services such as Aadhaar registration, banking, tele-law, telemedicine, education, and e-commerce to rural citizens.
  4. How many service centers are planned to be set up under the DICSC project?
    A. 1,000
    B. 4,740
    C. 10,000
    D. 500
    Correct Answer: B. 4,740
    Explanation: The DICSC project plans to establish 4,740 service centers across 10 districts, including places like Pilibhit and Gorakhpur, to provide digital services to rural areas.

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