India's internet users to exceed 900 mn by 2025

New Delhi

India's internet user base is projected to surpass 900 million by 2025, driven by the increasing use of Indic languages for digital content. According to the Internet in India Report 2024, India saw 886 million active internet users in 2024, marking an 8% year-on-year growth. Rural India leads this growth, contributing 488 million users, which makes up 55% of the total internet population.

The report emphasizes the rising importance of Indic languages in digital content consumption. Nearly all users (98%) access content in regional languages, with Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam being the most popular. Over half (57%) of urban internet users prefer regional language content.

The digital gender gap is narrowing, with women now representing 47% of internet users, a record high. Female users also make up 58% of shared device users in rural areas, showing progress towards inclusive digital access.

While internet penetration continues to grow, rural India outpaces urban areas with double the growth rate. Urban regions lead in the adoption of smart devices, such as smart TVs and speakers. Mobile devices remain the primary means of internet access for both urban and rural users, with rural India dominating activities like OTT streaming, online communication, and social media use.