CSC partners with WhatsApp for digital literacy service chatbot

The Common Services Centers (CSC) on Thursday said that it has partnered with Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp for a chatbot for citizens to receive digital literacy services and resources.

People can send a "Namaste" at CSC Academy's official WhatsApp account +91 99991 89321, to access details and course modules of flagship programmes.

The digital programmes like the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) and the Digital Beti initiative is available in English, Hindi and seven other regional languages.

"The ability to deliver digital literacy modules through WhatsApp will help us in the extension of the programme to those still unreached in rural as well as urban areas," Dinesh Tyagi, CEO, CSC SPV, said in a statement.

"The partnership will redefine the delivery model of education and skill-related content, especially for rural India," Tyagi added.

Till date, over 500 unique users have accessed CSC's WhatsApp chatbot and it is expected to be used by 10 million beneficiaries by August 2021.

The Digital Beti initiative aims to train 5,000 rural entrepreneurs in digital literacy in over 3,000 villages across 10 Indian states, while the PMGDISHA initiative focuses on making at least 40 per cent rural households digitally literate.

We're delighted to partner with CSC to support rural women entrepreneurs and help deliver on CSC's goal of digital literacy," said Shivnath Thukral, Head of Public Policy, WhatsApp India.

WhatsApp is also working with NITI Aayog's WEP programme and this partnership expands on WhatsApp's efforts to play an important role in driving digital and financial inclusion across India.