Statistical Insight on Common Services Centre in India from 2014 to 2023

Over the past decade, the number of functional CSCs has grown impressively, from 0.96 lakh (96,000) in 2014-15 to 5.85 lakh (585,000) in 2023-24, representing a remarkable increase of over 500%. This growth has been steady throughout the years, with a notable acceleration between 2020-21 and 2021-22, where the number jumped from 3.74 lakh to 4.94 lakh. This rapid expansion indicates a strong government push to increase digital access points across India, likely in response to the increased demand for digital services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The penetration of CSCs at the Gram Panchayat (GP) level has shown even more dramatic growth. Starting from 0.7 lakh (70,000) in 2014-15, the number has risen to 4.72 lakh (472,000) by 2023-24, marking an increase of over 570%. This substantial growth at the GP level underscores a focused effort to bring digital services to the grassroots, potentially bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas. The consistent year-on-year increase suggests a sustained policy commitment to rural digital infrastructure.

The transaction count through CSCs has fluctuated over the years but shows an overall upward trend. From 0.67 crore (6.7 million) transactions in 2014-15, it has risen to 4.36 crore (43.6 million) in 2023-24, representing a growth of over 550%. Notably, there were significant spikes in 2020-21 (3.5 crore) and 2021-22 (3.81 crore), likely corresponding to increased reliance on digital services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The slight dip to 2.98 crore in 2022-23 before rising again to 4.36 crore in 2023-24 suggests a normalization followed by renewed growth, possibly due to increased adoption of digital services post-pandemic.

Several key observations can be drawn from this data. Firstly, the growth in functional CSCs and their presence at the GP level has been more consistent than the transaction count, indicating that infrastructure expansion has remained steady even when usage fluctuated. Secondly, the ratio of CSCs at the GP level to total functional CSCs has improved over time, from about 73% in 2014-15 to about 81% in 2023-24, suggesting a targeted approach to rural digital inclusion.

Interestingly, the transaction count does not always directly correlate with the number of CSCs, indicating that factors beyond mere availability influence usage. These could include awareness, digital literacy, service quality, and external events like the pandemic. The significant jump in all metrics between 2020-21 and 2021-22 suggests that the pandemic might have catalysed CSC expansion and digital service adoption.

In conclusion, the data demonstrates India’s substantial progress in expanding its digital service infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. The growth of CSCs, especially at the Gram Panchayat level, indicates a strong push towards digital inclusion. While transaction counts have shown more variability, the overall trend is positive, suggesting increasing adoption of digital services. This expansion of CSCs likely plays a crucial role in bridging the digital divide and bringing e-governance services closer to citizens across India, contributing to the country’s digital transformation journey.