The Information Technology Ministry’s digital arm Common Services Centers (CSC) has partnered with IIT Bombay through its Spoken Tutorial initiative to provide various IT courses for youth in rural India to enhance their job readiness in IT and related sectors.

 The courses available as Free and Open Software (FOSS) will be delivered through CSC Academy centers at the block level across the country in audio-visual mode. The audio lessons under the Spoken Tutorial are available in all 22 official languages of India. The course delivery is unique as the youth can study IT programming courses at the CSC Academy centers. There will be trained resources at each of the CSC Academy to support the students in learning. Help Desk facility will also be provided by IIT Bombay to address the queries of the students.

  “It has been our endeavour to provide quality education to students and youth in rural areas to bridge the digital divide. Our association with IIT Bombay is a significant step in that direction. Availability of courses in 22 languages will increase its uptake among the youth in rural areas, contributing to an Atma Nirbhar Bharat. This will also support in skilling the youth to meet the emerging technological challenges,” CEO CSC Dr. Dinesh Tyagi said.

 Elaborating on the partnership IIT Bombay Director Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri said with this ICT program we can bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas. “Language will not be a barrier for learning as this training program is available in 22 official languages of India.

With proficiency certificate, youth from rural areas will come up very strongly in the job market and India will become Atma Nirbhar.”  CSC Academy provides access to professional learning for learners of diverse backgrounds and educational needs. CSC has planned to set up 7,000 CSC Academy centres (one in every block) across the country, out of which more than 5000 are in place.