The Digital India initiative, launched by the Government of India in 2015, aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy (Ghosh, 2022). The program focuses on enhancing digital infrastructure, increasing internet connectivity, and ensuring digital literacy among all sections of society, including marginalized communities (Sharma et al., 2016). However, the tribal communities of India, constituting about 8.6% of the total population, according to the 2011 census, often remain on the periphery of this digital revolution due to socio-economic constraints, lack of infrastructure, and digital illiteracy (Population Finder, 2011).
Tribal communities, primarily residing in remote and forested regions, face several challenges in accessing digital services, including poor internet penetration, language barriers, and inadequate policy implementation (Jenkins et al., 2017). Despite these challenges, Digital India presents significant opportunities for improving tribal livelihoods, governance, healthcare, and education through e-governance, digital banking, and online learning platforms. Policies such as the Aadhaar-linked Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Common Service Centers (CSCs), and digital financial inclusion initiatives have the potential to empower tribal communities (Gond, 2022).
Dr. Sunny Kumar Gond, Assistant Professor, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies
Dr. Atul Upadhyay, Assistant Professor, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies
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