Prof. Piyush M. Modi
Assistant Professor, Department of Accountancy, Sheth C. D. Barfiwala College of Commerce, Surat
ABSTRACT
Digitalization is rapidly transforming rural India, reshaping key sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and economic development. With the government’s push to bridge the digital divide through initiatives like Digital India and Bharat-Net, rural populations are gaining access to the internet and digital services, driving significant socio-economic change. This article explores the impact of digitalization on rural India, highlighting how it empowers farmers with better agricultural practices, enhances educational opportunities, improves healthcare access through telemedicine, and fosters economic growth via digital banking and financial inclusion. Despite the benefits, challenges such as digital literacy and infrastructure gaps remain. Addressing these challenges will be crucial to ensuring that the digital revolution leads to inclusive and sustainable development in rural India.
Keywords: Digitalization, Digital India, Rural India
Conclusion
Digitalization is playing a pivotal role in transforming rural India, bringing about positive changes in agriculture, education, healthcare, and economic development. While challenges remain, the potential for digital technologies to uplift rural communities is immense. As India continues to march towards becoming a digital economy, ensuring that rural areas are not left behind will be key to achieving inclusive growth and development.
References:
Bhatnagar, S. (2020). Digital India: The vision and the journey. Springer. doi:10.1007/978-981-15-7603-4
Chaturvedi, A., & Verma, P. (2021). Digital transformation in rural India: A study on the impact of Digital India initiative. International Journal of Rural Development and Digital Literacy, 5(2), 45-59. doi:10.1016/j.rddl.2021.06.004
India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). (2023). Digital India: Transforming rural India through digital empowerment. Retrieved from https://www.ibef.org/industry/digitalindia.aspx
Jain, R., & Sharma, M. (2019). Digitalization and rural India: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Rural Development, 38(1), 1-14. doi:10.25102/JRD201901
Kumar, S., & Prakash, S. (2018). Impact of digital technology on rural India: An empirical study. Asian Journal of Technology & Management Research, 8(3), 28-34.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). (2022). Bharat-Net: Connecting rural India with high-speed internet. Government of India. Retrieved from https://www.meity.gov.in/content/bharatnet
Webliography:
https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/
https://www.ibef.org/industry/digitalindia.aspx
https://www.meity.gov.in/content/bharatnet
https://www.niti.gov.in/impact-digitalization-rural-development