Uttar Pradesh Plans Digital Libraries in Villages to Build Grassroots Learning and Exam Preparation Centres

Lucknow, December 18, 2025: In a major step towards strengthening rural education, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced an ambitious plan to set up digital libraries in gram panchayats across the state. The initiative aims to turn village institutions into local learning hubs and provide rural youth with easier access to quality educational resources, especially those preparing for competitive examinations. The project, launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, focuses on reducing the long-standing education gap between urban and rural areas. By bringing digital learning facilities directly to villages, the government hopes to empower students who often lack access to coaching centres, libraries, and digital tools available in cities. According to officials, the first phase of the scheme will see digital libraries established in 11,350 gram panchayats. Each unit will be set up at a cost of ₹4 lakh and will be equipped with a wide range of digital learning materials. These include e-books, video and audio lectures, online quizzes, and nearly 20,000 academic resources covering multiple subjects and competitive exam syllabi. Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said the initiative is designed to make education more inclusive. He explained that by transforming gram panchayats into centres of learning, rural students will no longer need to travel long distances or spend heavily to access quality study material. The move, he said, will help village youth prepare for exams while staying connected to their roots. The digital libraries are expected to play a key role in supporting students preparing for state and national-level competitive exams. With access to updated content and digital tools, students will be able to study at their own pace and explore multiple learning formats, including videos and interactive tests. Officials believe this flexible approach will help improve learning outcomes in rural areas. The government has already completed the process of selecting digital books and resources in 35 districts, including Lucknow. Work on setting up the libraries is underway, and several units are expected to become operational in the coming months. Once the first phase is completed, the project will be expanded to cover all districts in a phased manner. Panchayati Raj Director Amit Kumar Singh said the rollout will be closely monitored to ensure smooth functioning. He added that gram pradhans and panchayat secretaries will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the libraries. Assistant officers will conduct regular inspections to make sure the facilities are being used properly and remain accessible to students. The project also aligns with the state’s broader goal of digital empowerment. By improving access to online learning in villages, the government hopes to encourage digital literacy and create more opportunities for rural talent. Officials believe that stronger village-level institutions can play a crucial role in shaping the future of students who may otherwise be left behind due to lack of resources. With this initiative, Uttar Pradesh is taking a significant step towards building an education system that reaches the grassroots. If implemented effectively, the digital library project could help villages emerge as active centres of learning, offering young people the tools they need to compete and succeed in an increasingly digital world. Uttar Pradesh Plans Digital Libraries in Villages to Build Grassroots Learning and Exam Preparation Centres Uttar Pradesh is taking a big step to strengthen rural education by bringing digital libraries directly to villages. The state government has announced a plan to set up digital libraries in gram panchayats, with the aim of turning them into local learning hubs for students and young aspirants preparing for competitive exams. Under the first phase of the project, digital libraries will be established in 11,350 gram panchayats, with each unit costing around ₹4 lakh. These libraries will offer access to e-books, video and audio lectures, quizzes, and nearly 20,000 digital academic resources. The focus is to make quality study material easily available to rural youth, without the need to travel to cities or spend heavily on coaching centres. Panchayati Raj Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said the initiative is meant to bridge the education gap between villages and cities. By strengthening gram panchayats as centres of knowledge, the government hopes to create equal learning opportunities for students living in remote areas. The project also supports digital empowerment by improving access to online learning tools at the grassroots level. Officials have confirmed that the selection of books and learning material has already been completed in 35 districts, including Lucknow. The libraries are expected to become operational soon, and the scheme will be expanded across all districts in a phased manner. Panchayati Raj Director Amit Kumar Singh stated that gram pradhans and panchayat secretaries will manage these libraries, while assistant officers will regularly monitor their functioning. The goal is to ensure that the facilities remain active, accessible, and beneficial for students. With this move, Uttar Pradesh aims to transform village institutions into spaces of learning and growth. If implemented well, these digital libraries could become a game-changer for rural students, helping them prepare, compete, and succeed in today’s digital world.