Tanushree Basuroy
Research expert covering India
Internet usage in India - statistics & facts
India is among the largest and fastest growing internet markets globally. However, compared to the Netherlands, Norway, and Saudi Arabia where about 99 percent of the population had access to the internet, India’s internet penetration rate trailed far behind. The country’s mobile-first approach, government initiatives, and affordable 4G and 5G plans were a combination of factors aimed at improving internet accessibility.
While knowledge seeking remained the primary activity on the Internet among Indian users, the introduction of AI chatbots and virtual assistants changed how users surfed the web. Apart from simply seeking information online, Indian netizens used AI platforms, primarily ChatGPT, to find information that was hard to find via search engines. Moreover, many were quick to hop on to the trend of generative AI, using it to create and edit images, text, and video. However, users’ wariness of AI-generated information and accuracy compared to search engines as well as a reluctance to subscribe to these platforms pose hurdles to India realizing its potential as a global AI hub.
Internet revolution
In recent years, the number of internet users has increased with the majority residing in rural areas. One of the main reasons for rapid internet adoption across socio-economic structures was the launch of Digital India in 2015. This was a campaign to make government services available digitally to citizens, establishing the necessary infrastructure with the cheap availability of 4G. Key players Airtel and Reliance Jio ensured the quick rollout of 5G technology at economical rates and drastically improved internet speeds nationwide.AI-assisted internet usage
With an almost complete shift to the digital ecosystem, there was an increase in streaming videos and music, consuming news, playing games, and ordering groceries and food online. With affordable data plans and budget brands across companies, smartphones remained the key device to accessing the online world. E-commerce, however, was dominated by urban centers, specifically among the more affluent classes. Consequently, this reflected in the use of online banking and digital payments as well.While knowledge seeking remained the primary activity on the Internet among Indian users, the introduction of AI chatbots and virtual assistants changed how users surfed the web. Apart from simply seeking information online, Indian netizens used AI platforms, primarily ChatGPT, to find information that was hard to find via search engines. Moreover, many were quick to hop on to the trend of generative AI, using it to create and edit images, text, and video. However, users’ wariness of AI-generated information and accuracy compared to search engines as well as a reluctance to subscribe to these platforms pose hurdles to India realizing its potential as a global AI hub.
The complexity of connecting all Indians
The main challenge of integrating India’s digital population was addressing its different layers of diversity. Internet inclusion meant the addition of regional languages along with English, addressing the need for digital literacy across socio-economic layers, specifically among women. What added to this challenge was the government’s clampdown on free speech and content regulation within the digital ecosystem. India ranked among the countries with the most internet restrictions worldwide in recent years. Despite these constraints, the Indian internet market was a game-changer for the economy with improving internet infrastructure and internet speeds as well as the quick adaption to new technologies.
