India’s internet user base is likely to exceed 900 million by 2025, fueled by the increasing use of Indic languages for digital content, according to a report released on Thursday.
India’s active internet users grew by 8 percent in 2024, reaching a total of 886 million.
Rural India, with 488 million users, leads the growth, making up 55 percent of the country’s total internet population, the report from the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Kantar revealed.
A significant 98 percent of internet users in India access content in Indic languages, with Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam being the most popular due to their widespread availability.
Additionally, 57 percent of urban internet users prefer regional language content, reflecting the growing demand for localized material across digital platforms.
AI has become a major game changer, with 9 out of 10 internet users interacting with AI-powered apps in the past year.
Biswapriya Bhattacharya, Director of B2B and Technology at Kantar Insights–South Asia stated, “The widespread acceptance and enthusiasm surrounding AI should encourage digital companies to introduce more next-generation AI features in India.”
The gender gap in digital access is also narrowing. Women now make up 47 percent of all internet users in India, the highest figure recorded so far.
In rural India, 58 percent of female users are part of shared device households, marking significant progress in inclusive digital access.
Rural India leads online engagement in activities such as OTT video and music streaming, online communication, and social media usage, surpassing urban users in these areas.
However, urban India is ahead in adopting non-traditional devices like smart TVs and smart speakers, which have grown by 54 percent between 2023 and 2024.
Despite these shifts, mobile devices remain the primary method for accessing the internet across both rural and urban areas, the report concluded.
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