Low digital literacy, limited awareness of government services, lack of essential documents, poor connectivity, language gaps and weak last-mile delivery remain the biggest barriers to digital inclusion among tribal and marginalized communities in Uttar Pradesh, stakeholders said at a state-level consultation held in Lucknow.

Organised by Nasscom Foundation and ISRA with support from Cisco’s India Cash Grant Program, the consultation, titled “Access to Empowerment: Strengthening Digital Inclusion and E-Governance for Tribal and Marginalized Communities,” was held under the Access to Empowerment – E-Governance initiative. It seeks to improve access to digital public services and social security schemes for underserved groups across the state.

Participants examined the state’s e-governance ecosystem and discussed how Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), rural populations, women and youth can be better connected to entitlements meant for them. They stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government, civil society and local communities.

Cisco, a key partner in the initiative, reiterated its support. “Cisco is committed to amplifying the impact of government-led digital empowerment initiatives,” said Harish Krishnan, Managing Director and Chief Policy Officer, Cisco South and Southeast Asia. He added that the partnership aims to extend essential services to citizens across India’s aspirational blocks.

Jyoti Sharma, CEO of Nasscom Foundation, said distance, limited connectivity, language, documentation and unfamiliarity with digital systems make it difficult for PVTGs to access services and entitlements. With Cisco’s CSR support and in partnership with ISRA, the foundation is working in aspirational blocks to build digital awareness and literacy. Roundtables like the Lucknow event, she said, help ensure the programme responds to ground realities.

Virjesh Upadhyay, Chairperson, DTNBWED, Ministry of Labour and Employment, called for schemes to be designed with PVTGs at the centre and for their ground-level impact to be assessed. “If schemes do not reach the beneficiaries, then there is no use for such schemes,” he said.

A key outcome of the consultation was the call for stronger interdepartmental convergence at block and village levels, with closer coordination among the Panchayat and Labour Departments, Gram Pradhans and grassroots workers. Participants recommended integrating awareness of labour rights, farmers’ welfare and social security schemes into existing community outreach programmes.

They also said efforts must go beyond basic documentation and card generation, and help beneficiaries use their existing documents to access eligible entitlements, including correcting records and updating information. Wider digital literacy initiatives, especially among tribal communities and residents of aspirational blocks, were also urged, along with closer cooperation among development organisations, government bodies and CSR partners.

Representatives of government departments, academic institutions and civil society organisations are expected to discuss sustained multi-stakeholder partnerships to address systemic barriers and widen access to social security schemes through digital platforms. The consultation will also explore citizen awareness, community mobilisation and capacity building.

The consultation is expected to conclude with recommendations for advancing inclusive digital transformation in Uttar Pradesh through collaboration, knowledge sharing and evidence-based policy. Its insights will be compiled into a proceedings report and shared with stakeholders to guide future action.