Syllabus :GS 2/Governance
In News
- Rural Youth are seen as the driving force behind India’s aspirations, especially during the digital transformation.
About
- Rural India is undergoing a remarkable transformation as more young people embrace technology and connect to the digital world.
- The adoption of mobile technology is on the rise, with a growing number of rural youths integrating digital tools into their daily lives
Data Analysis
- Mobile Usage: High Adoption: 95.7% of rural youth (aged 15-24) use mobile phones; 99.5% have 4G coverage.
- Internet Access: 82.1% of rural youth can access the internet, with rapid growth noted.
- 80.4% of rural youth used the internet in the three months prior to the survey.
- Internet usage is increasing, closing the gap with urban areas, which stands at 91.0%.
Impact of Digitalization
- Digital competence grows: 74.9% of rural youth can send basic messages.
- Skills in data management (copying, pasting) are growing, with 67.1% capable of these tasks.
- 60.4% actively search for information online.
- The digital expansion is helping rural youth adopt technology, improving communication, education, and financial activities.
- The shift towards digitalization is enhancing efficiency and empowering individuals, particularly in rural areas.
Challenges in Digital Skills
- Emailing skills are limited (43.6% can send emails).
- Online banking capabilities are low, with 31% able to conduct transactions.
Government Initiatives:
- Digital India Initiative: Promotes technology and innovation through various schemes (e.g., TIDE 2.0, GENESIS).
- BharatNet Project: Aims to connect rural areas with optical fiber for broadband access.
- Public Wi-Fi Initiatives: PM-WANI provides public Wi-Fi hotspots across India.
Future Outlook:
- Rural digital expansion in India is enabling young people to adopt technology, bringing significant changes to everyday life and narrowing the gap between urban and rural areas
- Continued improvements in digital literacy and infrastructure will enable rural youth to play a vital role in a more connected and inclusive India.
Source :PIB
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