Report on Internet Usage in India

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