Common Service Center (CSC)

A Common Service Center (CSC) is an information and communication technology (ICT) access point created under the National e-Governance Project of the Indian government.  The project plan includes the creation of a network of over 100,000 CSCs throughout the country. The purpose of the project is to provide much-needed information and services to underserved Indians in rural areas.

A CSC is essentially a kiosk with a personal computer, a wireless connection and other equipment. Through computer and Internet access, the CSCs provide multimedia content related to e-governance, education, health, telemedicine, entertainment and other government and private services. Other services available are expected to include computer training, telemedicine delivery, office applications, CD burning, scanning, printing and digital imaging.

The CSC project was begun in 2006. Project funding and implementation is through a public- private partnership (PPP).

See also: digital divide, Community computing, ICT4D (Information and Communications Technologies for Development), e-inclusion,  OLPC (one laptop per child), community technology center