Prelims: Current events of national and international importance
Why in News?
Recently, India’s active internet user base has reached 958 million, with rural regions now accounting for 57% of users.
- Report – Internet in India Report 2025 is a comprehensive study on internet usage in the country.
- It is based on the Indian Computer Usage and Behavior (ICUBE) Study.
- Released by – Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in collaboration with KANTAR.
- Launched at – The India Digital Summit in Bengaluru.
- Key Findings – Rural – Rural adoption is nearly 4 times faster than urban.
- AI – About 44% of users use AI features like voice/image search, chatbots, and filters.
- Around 57% among 15–24 years and 52% of 25–44 years.
- Video – 61% users consumed short-video content, with rural users marginally outnumbering urban.
- E-commerce – 230 million urban users shopped online due to the quick commerce and social commerce.
- Device – Rise of multi-device users (20%), with urban level at 31% and rural at 12%.
- Around 18% of users rely on shared devices, mostly in rural areas.
- Non-users – 38% of the population (~579 million) remain non-active internet users.
- Causes – AI – Mass adoption of AI-enabled features.
- Video – Short-video consumption driving engagement.
- E-commerce – Quick commerce and social commerce are leading to the rapid expansion of online shopping.
- Access – Many rural users go online using shared devices, enabling internet connectivity despite not owning their own.
- Gaps – Non-users – Large population still offline, around 579 million people.
- Mental Health – Rising screen-related and digital addiction issues.
- Infrastructure – Gaps in rural internet access and device availability.
Reference
TH | India’s share of active internet users
