Wed Jul 16 18:17:31 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

**Govt. Announces Free AI Training for Village Tech Centers, Addresses Duplication Concerns**

**NEW DELHI, July 16, 2025** – In a move to bolster digital literacy and expand access to technology in rural India, the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced free Artificial Intelligence (AI) training for Common Service Centres (CSCs) nationwide. The announcement was made at the annual CSC Diwas event, which brings together Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) who operate these vital tech hubs.

CSCs are instrumental in providing online government services to citizens in remote areas. Recognizing their importance, Mr. Vaishnaw also pledged to address the issue of duplication arising from state-run digital service centers.

The event celebrated the achievements of VLEs like Lalremruata from Mizoram, who facilitated significant business through his CSC, highlighting the positive economic impact of these centers. India boasts over 5.6 lakh CSCs, with the vast majority located in rural areas.

While the ministers present received applause, the loudest cheers were reserved for Bhuvnesh Kumar, CEO of UIDAI, the authority behind Aadhaar. VLEs are eager to resume Aadhaar enrollment and update services, which have been restricted since 2018 due to a Supreme Court order. Ministers Vaishnaw and Prasada acknowledged the importance of the issue and committed to exploring its resolution, although a definitive timeline for reopening all Aadhaar services at CSCs remains unclear.

Minister of State for IT Jitin Prasada emphasized the critical need for cybersecurity awareness, urging VLEs to partner with the government in safeguarding India’s increasingly digital landscape. He stressed the importance of equipping citizens with the knowledge to navigate the digital world securely.

The government’s focus on AI training and addressing service duplication indicates a commitment to strengthening the CSC network and expanding its role in India’s digital future.

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