Government of India has announced free Artificial Intelligence (AI) training for 5.5 lakh Village-Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) operating Common Service Centres (CSCs) across the country.
The initiative, unveiled by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during the 16th foundation day of CSC SPV, is part of the ambitious IndiaAI Mission, which aims to skill 10 lakh citizens in AI technologies.
IndiaAI Mission: A National Vision for AI Upskilling
The IndiaAI Mission, approved by the Cabinet in March 2024 with a budgetary outlay of ₹10,371.92 crore, is designed to catalyze AI innovation and democratize access to digital technologies.
It focuses on:
- Building indigenous AI capabilities
- Enhancing national compute infrastructure (now exceeding 34,000 GPUs)
- Improving data quality and access
- Supporting AI startups and attracting top talent
The mission’s goal is to train 10 lakh individuals, with VLEs receiving priority access due to their pivotal role in delivering digital services in rural India.
Empowering the Backbone of Rural Digital Infrastructure with AI Training
VLEs, who manage over 5.5 lakh CSCs across 90% of India’s villages, serve as the last-mile link for government-to-citizen (G2C) services.
These include:
- Aadhaar updates
- Banking and insurance
- Telemedicine
- Education and agriculture support
By equipping VLEs with AI skills, the government aims to:
- Enhance service delivery efficiency
- Enable automation of routine tasks
- Foster local innovation and entrepreneurship
- Bridge the urban-rural digital divide
AI Training Rollout and Curriculum Focus
The AI training will be delivered free of cost through the CSC network and is expected to begin within the current fiscal year.
The curriculum will cover:
- Fundamentals of AI and machine learning
- Practical applications in agriculture, health, education, and finance
- Use of AI tools for local problem-solving
- Cybersecurity and data ethics
Participants will receive certification upon completion, boosting their employability and credibility.
Special Emphasis on Women and Marginalized Communities
The initiative also highlights the government’s commitment to gender inclusion and social equity:
- Over 74,000 women VLEs will be prioritized
- Stories of entrepreneurs like Manjulata Chattar from Odisha and Rose Angeline Kharsyntiew from Meghalaya were spotlighted for their transformative work in remote areas
These women have not only delivered essential services but also launched community initiatives, such as sanitary pad manufacturing under the Stree Swabhiman program.
Policy Integration and Future Expansion
Minister Ashwini announced plans to:
- Merge state-level service centres with CSCs for unified service delivery
- Enable VLEs to offer IRCTC railway ticketing services
- Expand CSC offerings to include Aadhaar-based train bookings and state government schemes
Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada, emphasized that such integration would increase income generation opportunities for VLEs and improve citizen access to services.
Digital India at 10: A Decade of Transformation
Launched in 2015, the Digital India initiative has grown from 83,000 CSCs to over 5.5 lakh, making India the third-largest digital economy globally.
The AI training program opens a new chapter in this journey and ensures that the AI revolution reaches rural India.
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