Which ministry is responsible for implementing DISHA?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
Explanation
The DISHA scheme (Digital Saksharta Abhiyan) or National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) is an initiative implemented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The primary objective of this scheme is to impart IT literacy and digital training to citizens, especially in rural and non-literate communities, enabling them to actively participate in the democratic and developmental process and enhance their livelihood opportunities.
The other options represent different areas of governance. While the Ministry of Rural Development deals with rural infrastructure and welfare, and the Ministry of Education focuses on academic schooling and literacy, the specific digital literacy mandate under the DISHA framework belongs strictly to MeitY.
Key Points
The scheme targets households where not a single person is digitally literate, aiming to make at least one person in every eligible household digitally literate.
It plays a foundational role in the broader Digital India vision by bridging the digital divide between rural and urban populations.
The training under this scheme includes operating digital devices like smartphones and tablets, navigating the internet, and safely executing digital payments.
By empowering citizens with digital skills, the initiative helps them access online government services directly without intermediaries.
Additional Facts
The scheme is heavily supported by the Common Services Centres (CSC) e-Governance Services India Limited, which acts as a key implementing agency on the ground.
A successive larger iteration inspired by the foundational goals of DISHA is the PMGDISHA (Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan), which focuses specifically on rural areas.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: What is the primary target group or beneficiary criteria under the DISHA / PMGDISHA digital literacy initiatives?
Answer: The primary target group is digitally illiterate individuals in rural households, focusing on the age bracket of 14 to 60 years.
Question: Which implementing agency helps the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology run these digital training centers at the village level?
Answer: The Common Services Centres (CSCs) along with designated scheme partners and NGOs handle the village-level training and certification.