CSC Full Form – Common Service Centre

Common Service Centre (CSC) is a significant step toward digital empowerment as envisioned in the Digital India initiative. These centres provide people in rural and remote areas with access to essential utility services through digital means. A considerable part of the population living in rural areas can now avail themselves of the benefits of government and private services, offering great convenience and opportunities to improve livelihoods.

This blog explains the CSC’s full form, services, objectives, and benefits to help you understand its significance in digitally connecting India across the geographic, linguistic, and cultural boundaries.

CSC Full Form

The full form of CSC is the Common Services Centre. The CSC project is a significant part of the Digital India initiative, focusing especially on rural areas. CSCs play a significant role in achieving the objectives of a digitally inclusive society. It offers services related to administration, education, health, telemedicine, entertainment, and many other fields.

The CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, established by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), oversees the implementation of the CSC Scheme.

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CSC Services

The CSCs are designed to provide relevant services based on the needs of people in the specific regions. The primary CSC services include the following:

• Agriculture Services: Agriculture, Horticulture, Sericulture, Fisheries, Veterinary, etc.
• Education and Training Services: School, College, Vocational Education, Employment, etc.
• Health Services: Telemedicine, Health Check-ups, Consultations, etc.
• Rural Banking Services: Loans, Insurance, etc.
• Entertainment Services: Movies, Television, etc.
• Utility Services: Bill Payments, Online booking, etc.
• Commercial Services: DTP, Printing, Internet Browsing, etc.

CSC Setup Eligibility

Individuals seeking to operate Common Service Centres in a gram panchayat area must fulfil certain criteria. The CSC setup eligibility is mentioned below:

• Age: Applicant should be above 18 years of age.
• Citizenship: Applicant must be a citizen of India.
• Resident: For rural areas, the applicant must be an ordinary resident.
• Education: Applicants must have passed the 10th level examination from a recognized board.
• Language skills: The Applicant should be able to read and write in the local dialect. A basic knowledge of English is an advantage.
• Computer knowledge: Basic computer skills would be an advantage.
• Documents: The applicant must hold a valid Aadhar card, PAN card, and bank account.

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CSC Objectives

The CSCs aim to connect the rural people with public and private utility services through digital means. Let’s look at the key CSC objectives:

1. Access to Essential Services: The primary objective of the Common Service Centre (CSC) is to make various public utility services accessible to people living in rural and remote areas of India.
2. Digital Empowerment: CSCs aim to promote digital awareness and allow access to online resources for the citizens living in non-urban areas.
3. Promoting Rural Entrepreneurship: CSCs provide individuals in rural areas with necessary opportunities to promote entrepreneurship and better livelihood opportunities.
4. Financial Transactions: CSCs facilitate rural people’s access to banking services, including account opening and money transfers, which can help them lead a better quality of life.
5. Government Service Delivery: Common Service Centres act as access points for government services, making it easier for people to access government schemes’ facilities.
6. Transparency and Efficiency: The objective of CSC is to improve efficiency in service delivery by approaching the people in remote areas who face difficulties in visiting government offices directly.
7. E-Governance Services: CSCs are designed as the key components of G2C (Government-to-Citizen) e-governance services, helping the government to keep people updated about relevant information and services.

CSC Benefits

Common Service Centres offer numerous benefits, especially for people residing in rural and remote areas. They act as a bridge between citizens and various government and private sector services. Let’s discuss the key CSC benefits:

1. Cost and Time Savings: CSCs offer various services locally, reducing the need for people to travel long distances to access services. It saves considerable time and money.
2. Digital Inclusion: CSCs help bridge the gap between urban and rural service facilities by providing access to digital tools even in remote areas.
3. Social and Economic Development: These centres provide essential information, services, and opportunities leading to overall rural social and economic development.
4. Employment Generation: Setting up CSCs in different areas helps create employment opportunities for individuals who operate and manage these centres.
5. One-Stop Solution: CSCs offer a convenient way for people to access multiple services in one location, acting as a one-stop solution for various needs.

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CSC 2.0 Scheme

CSC 2.0 is an initiative that focuses on delivering a wide range of services to several citizens by effectively utilizing digital infrastructure.

Under this scheme, at least one CSC is planned for each Gram Panchayat to deliver various electronic services across rural India. It would include strengthening and integrating the existing CSCs and making an additional 1.5 lakh CSCs operational in Gram Panchayats.

CSC Challenges

The CSCs operating in different parts of India face challenges due to infrastructure issues, resource constraints, and a lack of awareness. Here are the major CSC challenges:

• Poor Internet Connectivity: In the absence of a reliable internet connection in many rural areas, the CSC operations are affected.
• Unreliable Power Supply: Power failures and voltage fluctuations can affect the smooth functioning of CSC.
• Lack of Proper Equipment: Some CSCs may lack essential hardware or software to provide certain services.
• Continuous Training: Ongoing training is required for personnel handling the CSC operations to stay updated on new services and technologies.
• Technical Support: Sometimes, timely and effective technical support is unavailable to resolve issues, hampering smooth operations.
• Lack of Skilled Personnel: Some CSCs struggle to find qualified personnel to manage operations and provide services.
• Low Awareness: Many rural citizens are unaware of the services offered at CSCs or how to access them.

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Conclusion

The concept of CSC is based on providing a reliable and convenient IT-enabled service network for Indian citizens. These service points at village areas connect local people with government departments, business establishments, banks, insurance companies, and educational institutions. CSCs are more than service delivery points in rural India. They are the key agents in promoting entrepreneurship and building capacities for better livelihoods.

FAQs on CSC Full Form

When were CSC services launched in India?

The CSC services were launched in India in September 2006.

Are CSC services free?

Yes. CSC services can be availed free of cost.

How many CSCs operate in India?

As of April 2024, over 5 lakhs CSCs were operating in India.

Who operates CSCs in village areas?

The Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) operate Common Services Centres (CSCs) in rural areas.