Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has emerged as a transformative force in rural development and poverty reduction by enhancing access to information, improving service delivery, and expanding livelihood opportunities. In the Indian rural context, one of the most locally observed and impactful interventions has been the Common Service Centre (CSC) initiative under the Digital India programme. The CSC model provides digital access points in villages where citizens can avail themselves of government services, financial services, educational resources, telemedicine, and various utility services. By documenting the functioning of a CSC in a semi-rural block of Gujarat, it becomes possible to analyse how ICT has contributed to livelihood improvement, financial inclusion, and better governance outcomes. The Common Service Centre is typically operated by a Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE), a local resident trained to manage digital platforms and deliver services through internet-enabled systems. In the observed village, the CSC operates from a small rented shop equipped with computers, biometric devices, printers, and a stable broadband connection. The centre provides services such as Aadhaar enrolment and updating, PAN card applications, online income and caste certificate applications, pension registrations, crop insurance enrolment, railway ticket booking, digital payment facilitation, and banking correspondents’ services under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. One of the primary contributions of this ICT-based intervention has been the reduction of transaction costs for rural citizens. Previously, villagers had to travel to the district headquarters for documentation, banking, or welfare scheme applications. This involved transportation costs, loss of daily wages, and dependence on middlemen. With the CSC operating locally, services are accessed within the village at nominal service charges. This has significantly reduced both direct and indirect costs for rural households, particularly benefiting daily wage labourers and small farmers who cannot afford frequent travel. In terms of livelihood improvement, the CSC model creates direct and indirect employment. The VLE earns commissions on transactions, making it a sustainable micro-enterprise. In the observed case, the VLE also employs an assistant during peak seasons such as scholarship application periods and agricultural insurance enrolment cycles. Beyond direct employment, the digital services facilitate income-generating activities for others. For example, farmers can access real-time information