Journey to Total Digital Literacy

SURAJ SHAJI IAS

Kerala became the first State in India to achieve digital literacy by adopting Digi-Keralam campaign inspired by the success of Pullampara which became the first Grama Panchayat in the country to achieve total digital literacy.

The government services in Kerala have shifted to a mouse click away for public with the successful introduction of e-governance. Need for smooth access to e-services for public to issue certificates, facilitate treasury payments, bank transactions and uploading applications for various government services among others have made the Government to initiate the Digi-Keralam campaign to achieve complete digital literacy to people from all walks of society despite the age barriers. T he COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of digital skills. With schools, workplaces and essential services moving online, access to technology and digital proficiency became more crucial than ever. The pandemic also highlighted the digital divide, particularly in India, where a significant portion of the population lacked basic digital literacy. The Government of India launched the Digital India initiative in 2015, aiming to create a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy then gained momentum during the pandemic. This initiative introduced several digital literacy programs, including the National Digital Literacy Mission and the Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (DISHA), designed to equip citizens with essential digital skills.

Pioneering Pullampara

In alignment with Digital India, Kerala launched its campaign, Digi Keralam, to ensure that every citizen in the state becomes digitally literate. This initiative was inspired by the success of the Digi-Pullampara campaign, which made Pullampara the first Grama Panchayat in India to achieve total digital literacy. Recognised nationally, Digi-Pullampara became a model for the broader Digi-Keralam program.

Digi-Keralam adopted a comprehensive and inclusive approach to achieving digital literacy for all citizens aged 14 and above. Unlike many programs that train only one member per household, this initiative targeted entire families, ensuring that digital literacy reached a diverse group, including students, working professionals and senior citizens. This inclusive model was key to its success, as it ensured that no one was left behind.

Training has been provided in smart phone usage, internet navigation and online access to government services despite age barriers.

Systematic Approach

The implementation of Digi-Keralam was organised into three key phases: data collection, training and evaluation. During the first phase, local authorities conducted surveys to identify citizens lacking basic digital skills. This helped ensure that the program reached those most in need. In the second phase, training sessions were provided to participants, covering essential skills such as smart phone usage, internet navigation and online access to government services. The training was designed to be user-friendly and conducted in local languages to maximise engagement. The third phase focused on evaluating participants’ progress.

After completing the training, participants were assessed through a mobile app and web portal, where they demonstrated their newfound skills by completing tasks such as using smart phones to access government portals or making digital transactions. This evaluation was also facilitated by volunteers, but it was strictly ensured that a volunteer who provided training to a citizen never conducted his/her evaluation. A third-party evaluation was also conducted across the state, using the services of officers from the Department of Economics and Statistics.

Participatory Model

The success of Digi-Keralam was largely due to the involvement of thousands of volunteers and local organisations. In true Kerala spirit, community participation played a crucial role, with over 2,57,000 volunteers taking part in the initiative. Youth groups, Kudumbashree volunteers, Kerala State Literacy Mission Preraks, members of the Library Council, NSS, NCC, IEEE and various other organisations collaborated to ensure the program’s success. Local government representatives and ward committees played an essential role in implementing the initiative, reaching every corner of the state.

The results of Digi-Keralam have been outstanding. A survey was conducted among 83,45,879 families, totalling 1,50,82,536 individuals. According to the survey estimates, 21,88,398 citizens in the state lacked digital literacy. Among these, 21,87,966 citizens received training in smart phone usage, with an outstanding 21,87,667 passing the evaluation, resulting in an impressive completion rate of 99.98%. This remarkable achievement makes Kerala the first state in India to achieve total digital literacy, solidifying its position as a leader in digital empowerment.

Kerala’s achievement in digital literacy demonstrates its dedication to education and its capacity to use technology for social empowerment. By ensuring that all its citizens are digitally literate, Kerala is creating a more inclusive and connected future.