Latest news with #VLEs
Entrepreneur
2 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
From Tea Sellers to Tech Users: CSC Event Celebrates Digital India's Reach
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Common Service Centre e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), celebrated 10 Years of Digital India at New Delhi. The event marked a decade of progress toward bridging the digital divide and empowering citizens at the grassroots level. Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, inaugurated the event and addressed the gathering as the Chief Guest. In his speech, he commended the dedication of Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) who have brought digital services to citizens in the most remote corners of India. "VLE brothers and sisters across the country have set a remarkable example by delivering the benefits of Digital India to every citizen," he said. "When the world questioned how a tea seller or a vegetable vendor could use digital payments, today that dream has come true. UPI payments have now surpassed Visa transactions. This is the strength of 1.4 billion Indians." The Minister highlighted that CSCs have reached nearly 90 percent of villages across the nation, calling them the most effective medium for last-mile digital access. He also shared inspiring stories of VLEs like Manjulata from Odisha's Mayurbhanj district and Rose Angelina from Meghalaya, who overcame personal challenges to lead digital change in their communities. "Through her center in the Mairang area, Rose Angelina is not only delivering services but also setting an example of transformation and empowerment," he noted. Key announcements during the event included the launch of free artificial intelligence training for ten lakh individuals, with a special focus on VLEs. Vaishnaw urged VLEs to begin offering IRCTC services and expressed commitment to collaborating with state governments to integrate their IT systems with CSC-SPV. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, emphasised the foundational role of CSCs in achieving the goals of Digital India. "The resolve to extend the benefits of Digital India to the last mile is being carried forward with the help of our VLE brothers and sisters," he said. He recalled that there were only 83,000 CSCs in 2014, a number that has now grown to nearly 5.5 lakh. He also acknowledged over 74,000 women VLEs and discussed the importance of using new technologies such as artificial intelligence to uplift sectors like health, education, and agriculture. Welcoming the dignitaries, Sanjay Rakesh, Managing Director and CEO of CSC SPV, highlighted the impact of the centres in providing services directly to people's doorsteps. "With CSC, there is no need to visit cities to avail government services. We are creating a new paradigm of inclusion and empowerment," he said. CSC Diwas was celebrated across the country between July 1 and 15 with active public participation. In Delhi, a two-day event brought together IT Secretaries from all states to discuss the future of e-governance and rural empowerment. Top-performing VLEs were honoured for their contributions. Since its inception in 2015, Digital India has played a crucial role in transforming governance and financial access. With more than 5.5 lakh centres operated by VLEs, CSC SPV has become one of the world's largest digital service delivery networks. The movement continues to redefine inclusion, proving that digital empowerment is not a privilege but a right for every citizen.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
10 Lakh Indians To Receive Free AI Training, Focus On Village Entrepreneurs
New Delhi: At least 10 lakh citizens will receive free training in artificial intelligence (AI) thanks to Common Service Centres (CSCs) which falls under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). According to IT and Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, CSC has reached nearly 90 per cent of villages in the country and "If there is any medium capable of reaching every village, it is CSC." "The village level entrepreneurs (VLEs) across the country have set a remarkable example by delivering the benefits of Digital India to every citizen," the minister said. "When the world questioned how a tea seller or a vegetable vendor could use digital payments, today that dream has come true - UPI payments have surpassed Visa transactions. This is the strength of 1.4 billion Indians," he mentioned. Mr Vaishnaw cited inspiring stories of VLE Manjulata from Mayurbhanj district and VLE Rose Angelina from Meghalaya. Despite challenging circumstances, both women acquired digital skills and empowered their communities. "Amid the scenic hills and remote villages of East West Khasi Hills in Meghalaya, woman VLE Rose Angelina M. Kharsyntiew has scripted a digital revolution. Through her centre in the Mairang area, she is not only delivering services but also setting an example of transformation, empowerment, and community service," Mr Vaishnaw added. The minister also urged all VLEs to start offering IRCTC services. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, underscored the role of CSCs in bridging the digital divide "The resolve to extend the benefits of Digital India to the last mile of society is being carried forward with the help of our VLE brothers and sisters. Ten years ago, when we began the Digital India initiative, the Prime Minister had the vision to lay the foundation for a developed India," he noted. He shared that in 2014, there were only 83,000 CSC centres, whereas today, their number has grown to nearly 5.50 lakh. Prasada emphasised the integration of Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) with CSCs and acknowledged over 74,000 women VLEs who are setting new benchmarks in empowerment. "We are now in the era of Artificial Intelligence, and it is advancing rapidly. With time, we must use new technologies to bring positive change in people's lives and empower them," he said.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Govt will train CSCs in AI, address duplication in State govt efforts: Vaishnaw
Common Service Centres (CSCs) around the country will receive free Artificial Intelligence training, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, told a packed gathering of Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) who run the tech centres on Tuesday (July 15, 2025). Mr. Vaishnaw also said that the government would address duplication issues posed by States' own digital service centres. The Minister was speaking at the annual CSC Diwas, where VLEs from around the country gather. CSCs are key in making online government services and websites available to people living in remote areas. Lalremruata, 29, a VLE in Lawngtlai, Mizoram had 'facilitated business worth over ₹8 crore through his CSC in the financial year 2024–25,' the government said in an award citation. Mr. Lalremruata was felicitated at the event alongside other VLEs working in remote districts. There are over 5.6 lakh CSCs in India, and over four-fifths of them are in rural areas. Aadhaar buzz While Mr. Vaishnaw and Minister of State for IT Jitin Prasada spoke, much of the VLEs' enthusiastic applause went to Bhuvnesh Kumar, who is the chief executive officer of the Aadhaar issuing Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). CSCs have not been able to perform enrolments and major updates for Aadhaar since 2018, following an order of the Supreme Court. Still, VLEs hope to regain that business, as Aadhaar enrolment and updates are a potentially high volume business. Mr. Prasada and Mr. Vaishnaw said they would look into the issue, but did not commit themselves to reopening all Aadhaar enrolment and update activities to CSCs just yet (VLEs can only perform address and other 'demographic' updates for the moment). 'Don't clap until the work is done,' Mr. Prasada said. Mr. Vaishnaw said he would discuss the issue with Mr. Kumar. Mr. Prasada pointed to the issue of cybersecurity, and urged VLEs to work with the government on the issue. India has seen major digitisation, he said. 'But with such big achievements, there are equally big challenges and those challenges are of cyber security in which you will also play a very important role to equip the people of India,' he said. 'All these things are related to the security of the country. We should take care of the people and there should be a constant dialogue.'
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
UPI has reached tea sellers, vegetable vendors; surpassed Visa: Ashwini Vaishnaw lauds Digital India
New Delhi: When the world questioned how a tea seller or a vegetable vendor could use digital payments, but today that dream has come true -- UPI payments have surpassed Visa transactions, Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said on Sunday. Addressing a packed hall at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre here on the occasion of 10 years of Digital India, he said that this is the strength of 1.4 billion Indians. The celebration highlighted India's inspiring journey from being a digitally divided nation to becoming the world's third-largest digital economy. At the heart of this transformation is the CSC network, a rural digital infrastructure that now reaches nearly 90 per cent of villages in the country -- empowering people at the grassroots level. Minister Vaishnaw praised the efforts of lakhs of Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), who have made digital services accessible even in the remotest corners of India. He shared stories of women like Manjulata from Odisha's Mayurbhanj and Rose Angelina from Meghalaya's East West Khasi Hills. These women overcame tough circumstances, embraced digital skills, and transformed lives in their communities through CSC centres. The Minister also made some big announcements to further boost the Digital India mission. He said that free artificial intelligence training will be provided to 10 lakh individuals, giving priority to all VLEs. He also urged all CSCs to offer IRCTC ticketing services and promised to work with Chief Ministers to link state IT agencies with CSC-SPV. Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada also addressed the event and lauded the massive growth of CSCs -- from just 83,000 centres in 2014 to nearly 5.5 lakh centres today. He emphasised the importance of digital empowerment and the key role of women VLEs -- more than 74,000 women are now leading centres across India. Prasada also underlined the need to focus on cybersecurity, awareness, and capacity building in vital sectors like health, agriculture, and education. He recommended allowing CSCs to deliver more services, like Update Client Lite and state government schemes, to improve VLE income.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Govt to offer free AI training to all village-level entrepreneurs: Vaishnaw
The government will provide free training in artificial intelligence (AI) courses to all 550,000 village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs) of the Common Services Centres (CSCs), Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. The training will be conducted under the IndiaAI Mission, through which the government also aims to train nearly 1 million people in various AI-related skills, Vaishnaw said. Speaking at the decennial celebrations of CSC's operations, Vaishnaw urged VLEs to register with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) so they can begin booking railway tickets. He added that the government would also look into the request from VLEs to resume Aadhaar-related services. CSCs, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of the Government of India, serve as crucial access points for the delivery of various e-governance and business services to citizens in rural and remote areas. The network comprises over 550,000 VLEs who operate and maintain these centres. In 2015, the government rechristened the SPV and programme as CSC 2.0, aiming to expand the network to cover 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and all 600,000 villages. Over the past 10 years, CSCs have emerged as a vital cog in the government's effort to deliver people-centric governance, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada said. 'In 2014, there were only 83,000 CSCs, whereas today, more than 575,000 CSCs are active in remote corners of the country. Going ahead, there should be an expansion of the digital services being provided through CSCs. Cybersecurity, which has become an important aspect of everyone's digital lives, should also be a focus area for CSCs,' Prasada said.
