What is the concept of digital India? Elaborate on the following: (i) Digital Empowerment of Citizens. (ii) Universal Digital Literacy.

Digital India is a flagship initiative of the Government of India launched in 2015 with the vision of transforming the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The initiative aims to leverage digital technologies to promote inclusive growth, enhance access to government services, and bridge the digital divide across various sectors and segments of society.

(i) Digital Empowerment of Citizens: Digital empowerment of citizens is a key component of the Digital India initiative, focusing on providing access to digital tools, services, and information to all segments of society. This includes:

• Access to Information: Digital platforms and services enable citizens to access information and government services online, empowering them with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions and engage with government processes.
• E-Governance: Digital India promotes the delivery of government services electronically through initiatives such as Digital Locker, e-Sign, and e-Hospital, making government services more accessible, transparent, and efficient for citizens.
• Digital Payments: Promoting digital payments and financial inclusion through initiatives such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), BHIM app, and Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS) enables citizens to participate in the digital economy and access financial services conveniently and securely.

(ii) Universal Digital Literacy: Universal digital literacy is another key focus area of the Digital India initiative, aiming to ensure that every citizen has the necessary skills and capabilities to use digital technologies effectively. This involves:

• Digital Skills Training: Digital India promotes digital literacy programs and initiatives to provide training and capacity building in digital skills such as basic computer operations, internet usage, and online safety and security.
• Rural Digital Literacy: Special emphasis is placed on promoting digital literacy in rural and underserved areas through initiatives such as the National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA), which provide training and certification to individuals in rural communities.
• School and College Curriculum: Digital India advocates for integrating digital literacy and technology education into school and college curricula to equip students with the necessary digital skills for the future workforce.

Overall, digital empowerment of citizens and universal digital literacy are integral to the Digital India initiative's goal of building a digitally inclusive and empowered society, where every citizen can benefit from the opportunities offered by digital technologies.