Community Information Resource Centres (CIRCs) are community-oriented infrastructure and information hubs designed to create digitally literate, information-empowered, and equitable communities across the country. The CIRCs primarily offer digital literacy, digital services, information services, citizen services, and business development support, contributing to the creation of an information-rich society under a sustainable model.
Lack of access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) remains a major developmental challenge, as recognised by various national and global mandates such as the Digital India programme and the World Summit on the Information Society. Digital inclusion of marginalised communities can play a significant role in eradicating poverty and supporting the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The CIRC programme is considered DEF’s flagship initiative for providing access to the digital world by establishing basic digital infrastructure. Since 2007, DEF has been setting up CIRCs in rural and semi-urban areas as a primary vehicle for promoting digital inclusion, spreading digital literacy, and implementing its various ICTD interventions. CIRCs are community-driven and community-managed, bottom-up public spaces that aim to bridge the information and access divide and transform under-served communities into information-empowered communities. As of 2025, DEF has established 3,000 CIRCs across more than 250 districts in 28 states and Union Territories of India.
A typical CIRC is equipped with computers, cameras, printers, projectors, scanners, internet, Wi-Fi, and broadband connectivity. These centres are operated by enthusiastic and committed community members who understand the power of information and its potential to empower people across all social and economic groups. Through a wide range of activities and services — including digital literacy, ICT skills training, employability skills, English language learning, entertainment, health awareness, agricultural support, entrepreneurship, RTI facilitation, e-governance services, and other digital services — CIRCs support holistic community development.
While CIRCs in different locations may undertake varied activities and offer different service packages, all of them facilitate digital access and enable communities to meet their everyday needs using digital and communication tools. CIRCs allow DEF to adopt a multi-dimensional approach to digital inclusion and also provide the foundational infrastructure required to implement other DEF projects across different thematic areas.
CIRCs are also designed as self-sustaining, revenue-generating entities, earning income through the delivery of a range of digital services
Read more about the programme on circindia.org
Status:
Ongoing
Impact:
- 35 million digitally empowered
- 20 million women digitally enabled
- 1,500,000 people availed entitlements
- 100,000 artisans digitally empowered
- 1000 Differently-Abled Entrepreneurs trained
- 100,000 PWDs provided digital access to employment opportunities
Stories from the Field
Community Information Resource Centres || Bridging the Digital Divide in India
SoochnaPreneur – Community Information Resource Centre (SP-CIRCs), Salem, Tamil Nadu
Publications
