Common Service Centres (CSC): India’s Digital Revolution at the Grassroots
Empowering rural India through e-Governance, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion
Public Headlines News Bureau | November 2025 | New Delhi
Introduction: Taking Governance to Every Village
When the Government of India envisioned a digital India where every citizen could access public services online, it wasn’t just a technological dream — it was a social mission.
The Common Service Centres (CSC) Scheme, launched in 2006 under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), has since become the backbone of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, connecting government services with the most remote corners of the country.
From issuing certificates and paying utility bills to enabling telemedicine, financial inclusion, and e-learning, CSCs have transformed ordinary citizens into digital entrepreneurs and villages into service delivery hubs.
The Genesis: Digital Empowerment through Access
The CSC Scheme was first launched by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) to deliver government-to-citizen (G2C) and business-to-citizen (B2C) services through ICT-enabled kiosks.
Each CSC is operated by a local entrepreneur, known as a Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) — the linchpin of India’s rural digital ecosystem.
Over time, the scheme evolved from a mere service delivery mechanism into a movement for digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, and rural innovation.
“The CSCs have become agents of change — creating employment, empowering women, and making governance truly participatory,” says Dinesh Tyagi, former CEO of CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd.
How CSCs Work
Each Common Service Centre is a digital kiosk equipped with a computer, printer, internet connectivity, biometric devices, and a VLE trained to deliver online services.
Key Functions of CSCs:
- Government Services: PAN, Aadhaar, passports, voter ID, pension applications, birth & death certificates.
- Financial Inclusion: Banking, insurance, pensions (under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY).
- Digital Literacy: Courses under PMGDISHA (Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan).
- Education & Skill Development: CSC Academy and e-learning platforms.
- Healthcare Services: Telemedicine, Ayushman Bharat enrolment, and e-Health consultations.
- Agriculture & e-Commerce: e-Krishi platforms, fertilizer sales, and Grameen eStore.
- Utility Payments: Electricity, water, gas bills, mobile recharge, and FASTag recharge.
Scale of Impact
As of 2025, India boasts over 6.5 lakh active CSCs, covering nearly every Gram Panchayat in the country.
The CSC network reaches more than 90 crore citizens, providing over 300+ digital services under one roof.
| Parameter (2025) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Total CSCs in India | 6.5 lakh+ |
| Active VLEs | 5.8 lakh+ |
| Citizens served daily | 2 crore+ |
| Services offered | 300+ |
| States/UTs covered | All 36 |
| Women VLEs | 1.5 lakh+ |
| CSC Academy students | 50 lakh+ trained |