Bridging the Digital Divide: An Exploration of Empowerment Through Digital India Initiative

The study focuses on the empowerment of the digital platform users in India under the influence of the Digital India initiative. The study measures the perceived competence of the population from rural and urban areas of Gujarat. About 400 respondents were surveyed using a stratified sampling technique. The study finds that the perceived competence of the users is increased by the antecedents namely self-determination, perceived control, goal internalization and meaning, whereas impact showed a negative relationship with the perceived competence. The study provides theoretical and policy implications for academic researchers and policymakers.