(FREE) UPSC Current Affairs 2024 PDF

(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Adaptation of Digital Technology in Rural Areas

(JULY-2024)

Adaptation of Digital Technology in Rural Areas

Context:

Recognising the potential for economic growth through information and communication technology (ICT), the government is positioning itself as a significant player at the global digital transformation platform. Enroute to becoming one of the key digitally transformed nations, India is offering evident benefits to all its citizens in the urban as well as the vast population residing in its rural areas, as exemplified by Digital India Program (DIP).

Strategy

The government has implemented strategies to transform the nation and create opportunities for its citizens through the utilisation of ICT tools, leading to the launch of the DIP initiative.
The programme, initiated by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has embarked on a grand plan to empower India digitally and generate prospects for its citizens through the harnessing of digital technologies.

The programme zeros in on three key areas:

digital infrastructure as a core utility to every citizen,
governance and services on demand, and
digital empowerment of citizens.

The programme is geared to provide high-speed internet access, mobile phones, and bank accounts to enable larger participation, easy access to Common Service Centres, and shareable private space on a public cloud.

DIP aims to ensure that all government services are available electronically through an enhanced and effective online infrastructure. By increasing internet connectivity and empowering the country with digital technologies, the Indian government aims to achieve electronic governance (e-governance) of public services, leveraging innovative ICT tools.

It would make -

Citizen entitlements portable and available on the cloud
Promote electronic and cashless financial transactions
Integrate services seamlessly across departments
Providing real-time availability of services through online and mobile platforms.
It involves popularising universal digital literacy, collaborative digital platforms for participative governance, the availability of digital resources and services in Indian languages, and eliminating the need for physical submission of government documents or certificates.

Challenges

Like all sincere attempts to provide facilities there are certain challenges in the process:

A persistent challenge is the last-mile connectivity in remote and rural areas, where infrastructure development is more challenging due to geographical and logistical constraints.
The affordability factor for internet and digital devices remains a barrier for certain sections of society, limiting their access to the benefits of digital technologies.

There is a scarcity of empirical studies specifically focused on rural areas, hindering a comprehensive understanding of the extent of digital information access and technology innovation among rural populations.
Existing research predominantly concentrates on urban areas or provides a broader overview of the digital landscape in the country.
There is a need for comprehensive frameworks that can systematically analyse the factors influencing the adoption and utilisation of digital information and technological innovation in rural areas.

Conclusion

The effort to adopt digitalisation by the government has enhanced connectivity in rural India, bridging several gaps and enabling individuals and communities to access digital services and information. With community internet awareness, rural areas are fast transforming into digitally empowered societies where wireless internet and e-services have become accessible.