Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has unveiled a nationwide initiative to train 10 lakh Indians in Artificial Intelligence—completely free of cost. Priority will be given to Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), the digital foot soldiers of rural India who have been instrumental in driving the Digital India movement.
A Decade of Digital India
The announcement came during the ‘CSC Diwas’ celebration in New Delhi, marking 10 years of the Digital India campaign. Over the past decade, India has seen transformative digital inclusion, with Common Service Centres (CSCs) bringing essential government and financial services to the remotest corners of the country.
Empowering Rural Entrepreneurs
Mr. Vaishnaw lauded the efforts of VLEs, noting that CSCs have now covered nearly 90 percent of Indian villages. These grassroots entrepreneurs have enabled services like Aadhaar updates, e-governance, digital payments, and even telemedicine to reach rural populations.
Digital India Success Stories
The Minister highlighted that India’s UPI transactions have now surpassed Visa transactions—a sign of how digital empowerment has touched every strata of society, including tea sellers and vegetable vendors.
Next Steps for VLEs
Encouraging further participation, Mr. Vaishnaw urged VLEs to begin offering IRCTC ticketing services. This will not only diversify their services but also enhance travel convenience for rural citizens.
Conclusion
This free AI training initiative is another major step in bridging the digital divide. By empowering rural entrepreneurs with next-gen skills, the government aims to build a digitally competent India that is ready for the AI-powered future.
