India’s internet user base is poised to exceed 900 million by 2025, driven by increased usage of Indic languages in digital content, according to a report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and KANTAR. The ‘Internet in India Report 2024’ reveals that active internet users reached 886 million in 2024, reflecting an 8% YoY growth. Rural India, with 488 million users, leads this surge, accounting for 55% of the total internet population. Indic languages, including Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, are shaping internet consumption, with 98% of users accessing content in these languages. Notably, 57% of urban internet users also prefer regional language content.
The digital gender gap is narrowing, with 47% of internet users now being women—the highest proportion. In rural India, women represent around 58% of shared device users, marking considerable progress towards more inclusive digital access. While internet penetration continues to grow, its pace has slowed in urban areas, where it has expanded rapidly. In contrast, rural regions are witnessing double the growth rate, signalling untapped potential. Urban areas, however, lead in adopting non-traditional devices such as smart TVs and speakers, which grew by 54% between 2023 and 2024. Mobile devices remain the dominant means of internet access across rural and urban demographics. Rural India also leads OTT streaming, social media use, and online communication. At the same time, urban areas remain more engaged in net commerce, digital payments, and online education.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.