Syllabus:

GS2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. 

Context: 

Recently, the Chief Minister of Kerala declared Kerala as the first fully digitally literate State in India.

More on the News 

• It marked the completion of the first phase of the Digi Kerala project, a grassroots-level intervention across all local bodies to bridge the digital divide.
• In the surveys carried out among 1.5 crore people from 83.46 lakh families across the State, 21.88 lakh people were identified as digitally illiterate. 
• Out of this, 21.87 lakh people, comprising 99.98% of the participants, have completed the training and the evaluation.
• Only 38% of households in India are digitally literate. In urban areas, digital literacy is relatively higher at 61% as compared to just 25% in rural areas.

Digital Literacy 

• Digital Literacy is the ability of individuals and communities to understand and use digital technologies for meaningful actions within life situations. 
• Simply, it is the ability to access the computer/mobile/internet for our day-to-day activities and to be connected with others through the internet.

Digi Kerala Project

• The Digi Kerala project strives to ensure equitable access to the benefits of the digital realm, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographical location, through infrastructure enhancement, digital literacy initiatives and affordable technology provision.

The program operates through three main phases: 

• Information gathering
• Training 
• The formal recognition of literacy achievement. 

• Its primary objective is to ensure digital literacy among individuals aged 14 to 65. 

• The project is intended to be completed with the help of Kudumbashree members, Students and Youth. 

Positive Impact of Digital Literacy

• Financial Inclusion: It provides individuals with better access to financial information and products, leading to more informed investment decisions and increased participation in financial markets. 
• Improved Education Access: Digital literacy provides access to online educational resources, critical thinking skills and new learning opportunities, from primary to higher education. 
• Increased Civic Engagement: Digital literacy enables individuals to participate more actively in civic life by providing access to government services, information and platforms for dialogue. 
• Increased Employment and Income: Digital literacy enhances employability and earning potential by enabling access to new job opportunities, improving productivity and facilitating participation in the global digital economy. 

Sources:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-declared-first-fully-digitally-literate-state-in-the-country/article69960592.ece https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/Aug/22/kerala-is-now-indias-first-digitally-literate-state-cm-pinarayi-vijayan