• Dr. Meenakshi Yadav

Digital literacy has emerged as a vital form of social capital in contemporary India, shaping access to opportunities, governance, and empowerment. As the nation advances under the Digital India initiative, e-governance platforms have become central to delivering citizen-centric services, ranging from welfare schemes and land records to healthcare and education. Yet, the benefits of this transformation remain unevenly distributed across urban and rural populations. Urban citizens, supported by stronger infrastructure, higher literacy levels, and widespread smartphone penetration, have integrated digital tools into everyday life, using platforms such as DigiLocker, UMANG, and Aarogya Setu with relative ease. Rural communities, however, often remain dependent on intermediaries due to limited digital skills, weak institutional trust, and poor service quality. This paper argues that digital literacy is not merely a technical competency but a new form of social capital—an intangible resource that determines confidence, participation, and trust in governance systems. Infrastructure alone cannot bridge the divide; citizens must be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to use digital platforms effectively. Successful models, such as Kerala’s Akshaya Centres and Andhra Pradesh’s e-Pragati, demonstrate how training programs and simplified service delivery can foster inclusion. By situating rural challenges within the broader urban–rural framework, the study underscores that digital literacy now rivals education and financial capital in importance. Bridging this divide requires people-focused governance strategies—community training, vernacular interfaces, transparent grievance redressal, and trust-building measures. Recognizing digital literacy as social capital is essential for ensuring equitable, sustainable, and inclusive e-governance across India.

Digital Literacy, Social Capital, E-Governance, Urban–Rural Divide, Institutional Trust, Digital Inclusion

"Digital Literacy as the New Social Capital in India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 3, page no.b734-b742, March-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2603192.pdf

"Digital Literacy as the New Social Capital in India", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 3, page no. ppb734-b742, March-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2603192.pdf