(General Studies II – Governance Section – Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.)
- Computer literacy implies the knowledge and the ability to use computers and technology efficiently.
- It ensures that individuals can access and use the digital services effectively, enhancing their quality of life.
- Computer literacy is essential in today’s world as critical services such as banking, health care and various government services have become digital.
Data related to Digital Literacy in India
- National Sample Survey 78th round of the Multiple Indicator Survey (conducted in 2020-21) shows 24.7% among individuals aged 15 years and above are digitally literate
- Rural Digital Literacy stands at 18.1%
- Urban Digital Literacy is 39.6%.
What are the reasons for low computer literacy in India?
- Many schools and colleges across India lack the necessary infrastructure and qualified teachers to impart adequate computer training.
- There are significant gaps in access and instructional standards, highlighting the need to prioritise computer literacy within the education system.
- Older age groups, computer illiteracy could be attributed to a lack of motivation to learn or due to limited access to learning resources.
- Older demographics tend to exhibit less enthusiasm in embracing new technologies.
- As the Artificial Intelligence advances, employers seek individuals not only familiar with computers but also equipped with the capability to execute complex task
Why should India reboot computer literacy?
- Rural India’s population, which is nearly 70%, will face significant disadvantage unless there are serious measures to universalise digital literacy it will further increase digital divide.
- A significant portion of the population will remain excluded from government services. It will lead to social isolation.
- Supporting Educational Goals: With the increase in smartphone usage from 36% in 2018 to 74.8% in 2022, measuring digital literacy helps ensure that digital tools effectively support education.
- Economic Development: As the World Development Report suggests, understanding digital literacy is crucial for realizing the potential of the digital dividend in economic growth.
- Pandemic Recovery: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity of digital literacy for uninterrupted learning, making its measurement vital for educational resilience.
- Future Workforce Preparedness: Accurate measurement of digital literacy is key to preparing India’s youth for a digital economy, ensuring they can contribute productively.
Recommendations to enhance Computer Literacy:
India has made some progress in computer literacy, the outreach and outcomes of
DIGITAL LITERACY MISSION and DIGITAL MISSION has remained limited.
- Bridging the Economic Disparities: there is significant disparity in both the level and distribution of computer literacy across State and societies.
- Reimagining School Education: Schools should equip students with computer skills that will allow them to fully participate in our rapidly changing economies.
- Mandatory Coding curriculum in Colleges: All graduating students possess computer literacy skills, as this is crucial to bridge the digital divide.
- Capacity Building of Support Staff in Institutions: The government should allocate resources towards the training of computer personnel and ensure sufficient staffing levels.
- Taking Local institutions on board: local governing bodies such as panchayats and non-governmental organisations, to effectively reach and empower older individuals with computer literacy skills.
- Periodic Reviews: Thegovernment should also conduct a thorough review of such computer literacy and develop strategies to achieve higher literacy and reduce disparities in the coming years.
Computer literacy is essential among general population of India to transform the country into a digitally empowered society. Numerous skill development and vocational training programmes are focusing on enhancing computer literacy among youth and adults, mainly targeting underprivileged and marginalised communities to bridge the digital divide. So that no body remains socially and financially excluded.
