It was launched on pilot basis in 2014 but seeing the impact it was mainstreamed in 2015. It was included as a subcomponent under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP).
The program aims at providing hands on training in computers to the minority students and to enable them to acquire basic ICT skills that will empower them to become digitally literate.
The initiative covers students of Class VI to Class X belonging to notified minority communities residing in minority concentration areas.
Challenges
Initiatives like this require robust digital infrastructure, which is lacking in rural areas.
There’s no provision for aiding financially to buy equipment for implementation of Cyber Gram, which is an impediment.
There is no proposal to conduct performance audit of the Cyber Gram initiative under MsDP separately.
The government must overcome the above issues via ensuring success of initiatives like BharatNet (to ensure digital connectivity), changing curriculum to suit digital training, aiding buying of equipment for Cyber Gram and allowing performance audit to ensure success of the mission.
