What is Digital Literacy?
- Definition:
- The ability to use digital devices (smartphones, tablets, computers) and the internet for essential tasks.
- Includes:
- Operating devices, typing, using apps.
- Accessing online services (banking, healthcare, education, e-governance).
- Safe internet practices (cybersecurity awareness, avoiding fraud).
- Difference from literacy:
- Traditional literacy = ability to read & write.
- Digital literacy = ability to participate effectively in the digital society & economy.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance), Facts for Prelims
Kerala’s Declaration (2025)
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan declared Kerala as India’s first fully digitally literate state.
- Part of “Digi Kerala Project” → grassroots-level initiative to bridge digital divide.
- Process:
- Survey conducted among 1.5 crore people (83.46 lakh families).
- 21.88 lakh people identified as digitally illiterate.
- 99.98% of these trained and evaluated successfully → completion of Phase 1.
- Symbolic moment: CM video-called a 104-year-old learner, showing inclusiveness.
Why Kerala? – Historical Context
- Kerala already has a legacy of highest human development indicators in India.
- 1991: First state to achieve near-total literacy (through Kerala State Literacy Mission).
- Strong base: High literacy, robust local governance (panchayats), and social mobilisation.
- Digital literacy now builds upon this legacy → natural progression from literacy → functional literacy → IT literacy → digital literacy.
The Digi Kerala Project
- Objective: Ensure no citizen is left behind in digital transformation.
- Features:
- Training delivered at panchayat/ward level.
- Special focus on marginalised groups, elderly, women, and rural households.
- Evaluation conducted post-training → not symbolic, but measurable.
- Local bodies deeply involved (bottom-up governance).
- Outcome: Created a digitally empowered population ready to access e-services.
Why Digital Literacy Matters?
- Governance: Accessing welfare schemes, digital health records, ration distribution, Aadhaar-linked services.
- Economy: Digital payments, online banking, e-commerce participation.
- Education: Use of e-learning platforms, online resources for students.
- Healthcare: Telemedicine, online appointments, health insurance.
- Social inclusion: Empowering women, elderly, and rural poor.
- Cyber safety: Preventing digital frauds & misinformation.
Challenges in Digital Literacy
- Infrastructure gaps: Connectivity issues in remote/tribal areas.
- Generational divide: Older populations find it harder to adapt.
- Affordability: Devices, internet costs may still be barriers.
- Quality of training: Risk of superficial training without deeper understanding.
- Cybersecurity awareness: Many first-time users vulnerable to scams.
Why Kerala’s Model is Unique
- Universal approach: Reached every household → not selective.
- Community-driven: Local bodies & social volunteers ensured participation.
- Evaluation-based: Declared only after measurable tests (not self-declaration).
- Inclusivity: Elderly, women, marginalised included (example: 104-year-old trained).
- Sustainability: Sets base for digital governance ecosystem.
National & Global Relevance
- For India:
- Model for other states → helps in achieving Digital India mission goals.
- Bridges rural–urban digital divide.
- Strengthens direct benefit transfers, reduces leakages.
- Globally:
- Kerala showcases how social development + digital push can complement each other.
- Comparable to digital literacy models in Nordic countries or Estonia.
Way Forward
- Phase 2: Deeper skill-building → coding, advanced digital economy skills.
- Cybersecurity literacy: Must be embedded in training.
- Device affordability schemes: Subsidies for low-income households.
- Continuous upgrading: Tech evolves → periodic re-training needed.
- Monitoring: Independent audits of digital literacy levels every 2–3 years.
