Training programme at an MGNREGS worksite as part of the Digi Kerala project.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Digi Kerala 2.0, the second phase of the State government’s digital literacy programme, is set to be launched with focus on cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI) awareness, training for using the Local Self-Government department’s K-SMART application, and digitisation of basic documents.
On August 21, 2025, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had declared Kerala as the first fully digitally literate State in India, marking the completion of the first phase of the Digi Kerala project, a grassroot-level intervention across all local bodies to bridge the digital divide. In the first phase, as many as 21.87 lakh people were trained in the usage of digital devices for basic purposes.
One of the major focus areas of the second phase of the project is cyber security, considering the increasing number of cyber fraud cases in recent times. People will be trained to identify various threats hidden in online spaces and the possible ways in which fraudulent operatives target victims. Added to this, the focus on AI awareness will help the trainees not only to get an idea of the possibilities of AI and its responsible use, but also to identify AI-generated content which is often used on online platforms to propagate fake narratives.
The State government had in 2024 launched the K-SMART application to make available services of local self-government bodies digitally over a uniform platform. Services including building permit applications, civil registration applications, trade licenses, and grievance redressal are now being delivered through K-SMART.
Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh had said during the first phase of the project that it was part of the government’s long-term plan to equip all sections of the population with the knowledge of accessing digital services after it made available most of its services online through the K-SMART platform.
After undergoing training under Digi Kerala 2.0, the trainees will be able to use K-SMART without approaching help desks or third parties. The trainees will also be equipped to use the DigiLocker service to digitise all basic documents.
Published – February 08, 2026 08:05 pm IST
