India’s Digital Divide: Access vs Ability

Why in the News?

1. The first Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey (CAMS) conducted by NSSO (National Sample Survey Office) between July 2022–June 2023.
2. It reveals data on digital access across Indian households.
3. It assesses how access to Internet and digital skills vary across social groups, income deciles, and rural-urban areas.
4. The survey covered 3.02 lakh households and 12.99 lakh individuals across India.

Key Highlights of the Survey:

1. Broadband Access Across India
   1. At the national level, 76.3% of households have broadband internet. However, this access is uneven:
      1. In urban areas, 86.5% of households are connected.
      2. In rural areas, the figure drops to 71.2%.
2. Regional Disparities:
   1. Some states have very high broadband penetration, with over 90% of households connected.
   2. These include Delhi, Goa, Mizoram, Manipur, Haryana, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh.
   3. On the other hand, some states have less than 70% of households with broadband access.
   4. These include West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Caste-wise Differences
   1. Broadband connectivity also varies across caste categories:
      1. General category households: 84.1%
      2. Other Backward Classes (OBCs): 77.5%
      3. Scheduled Castes (SCs): 69.1%
      4. Scheduled Tribes (STs): 64.8%
4. Income and Broadband Access
   1. Monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) is used as a proxy for income as income data at household level is not available.
   2. The population is arranged from the bottom 10% to the top 10% in terms of MPCE.
      1. Among the bottom 10% households (poorest), only 28.4% have broadband access.
      2. Among the top 10%, broadband access is 98.1%.
      3. Even in the second lowest decile, only 56.2% of households are connected.
   3. This shows a strong correlation between economic status and digital access.
5. Mobile and Telephone Ownership
   1. Mobile or telephone ownership is high across the country
      1. 94.2% of rural households own a mobile or telephone
      2. 97.1% of urban households own a mobile or telephone.
   2. Among individuals aged 15 and above:
      1. 83.9% in rural areas can use mobile phones.
      2. 92.4% in urban areas can use mobile phones.
6. Gender and Social Disparities:
   1. Despite high mobile ownership, actual usage reveals deeper inequalities:
      1. Among rural women from the general category, only 25.3% use mobile phones exclusively.
      2. In urban areas, the number increases to 51.2%.
      3. For SCs, STs, and OBCs, both male and female usage rates are significantly lower than the general category.
7. Status of 4G and 5G usage:
   1. Rural Areas: More than half the population uses 4G.
   2. Urban Areas: More than 70% use 4G.
   3. 40.4% of the population still relies on older technologies like 2G or 3G.
   4. 5G adoption is currently negligible.
8. Digital skills Assessment:
   1. The survey assessed digital abilities using tasks like internet usage, emailing, copy-paste, spreadsheet operations, and online banking:
      1. Internet usage (15+ years age): 53.6% in rural areas, 74% in urban areas.
      2. Sending/receiving emails: 20% in rural areas, 40% in urban areas.
      3. Copy-paste function: 40% in rural areas, 60% in urban areas.
      4. Spreadsheet arithmetic operations: Extremely low nationwide.
      5. Online banking: Only 37.8% of the total population aged 15+ can perform these tasks.
   2. This reveals that basic digital literacy remains limited, especially in rural and economically weaker sections.

Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE): It is the average amount an individual spends in a month on food, housing, education, and other necessities. It helps measure living standards and economic conditions across different regions.

Implications for India

1. The Digital Divide is Stark:
   1. Access to the internet and digital skills are still concentrated among the rich, urban, and upper social groups
   2. This leaves behind the poor, rural, and marginalized communities.
2. Threat to Educational Goals:
   1. India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims at inclusive and equitable quality education, is challenged by these digital disparities.
   2. Specifically, SDG targets 4.4.1 and 4.4.2 relate to digital and ICT skills, which are clearly lagging.
3. Limited Employability:
   1. Without basic digital skills like email use or online banking, large sections of the population face barriers to employment in a digital economy.
4. Inequity in Access to Government Services:
   1. Many government services are now digital-first, and this digital divide creates exclusion for those without access.
5. Gender Inequality:
   1. The gender gap in mobile and internet usage is a major concern, especially for women in rural and marginalized communities.
6. Slow 5G Adoption:
   1. Despite policy-level enthusiasm, actual ground-level usage of 5G is almost non-existent.
   2. This means India is still catching up with 4G, let alone advancing to next-gen tech.

Digital Divide in India: The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals, households, or regions in terms of access to digital technologies, such as the internet, computers, smartphones, and the ability to effectively use them. Causes of Digital Divide: Income Inequality – Poorer households can't afford internet and devices. Lack of Infrastructure – Rural and remote areas lack connectivity. Low Digital Literacy – People lack training or exposure to digital tools. Gender Disparity – Cultural and social barriers limit women’s access. Caste and Social Barriers – Marginalized groups face systemic exclusion. High Cost of Devices and Data – Digital services are unaffordable for many. Lack of Local Language Content – Many digital platforms are not multilingual. Impact of Digital Divide: Exclusion from Education – Especially visible during online learning periods. Reduced Job Opportunities – Limits participation in the digital economy. Poor Access to Public Services – Citizens may miss out on government benefits. Limited Financial Inclusion – Low use of online banking and fintech services. Social Isolation – Affects participation in civic and social spaces. Weaker Democratic Engagement – Informed decision-making is hindered. Benefits of Bridging the Digital Divide: Inclusive Growth – More people participate in the digital economy. Better Education Access – Remote and blended learning becomes feasible. Enhanced Governance – Easier delivery of public services and welfare. Empowered Citizens – Access to information, services, and opportunities. Boost to Innovation – Greater tech adoption drives innovation and productivity. Social Equality – Bridges gaps across gender, caste, and income groups.

Challenges and Way Forward

Challenges	Way Forward
1. Low broadband access among the poorest households	Government should subsidize broadband for low-income households.
2. Gender gap in mobile/internet use	Promote digital literacy campaigns targeted at rural women and girls.
3. Lack of digital skills in rural areas	Integrate basic ICT training in schools and adult literacy programs.
4. Caste and social inequality in digital access	Design inclusive schemes with special focus on SC, ST, and OBC communities.
5. Outdated mobile technology still in use	Encourage affordable smartphone schemes with 4G/5G capability.
6. Uneven regional infrastructure	Invest in rural digital infrastructure, especially in low-performing states

 

Ensure IAS Mains Question Q. Despite the growing penetration of digital infrastructure in India, significant disparities persist in internet access and digital skills across regions, genders, and income groups. Discuss the implications of the digital divide and suggest measures to bridge it. (250 words)

 

Ensure IAS Prelims Question Q. Consider the following statements about digital skills in India: Over 70% of rural Indians can perform copy-paste operations in documents. Less than 40% of India’s population aged 15+ can perform online banking. Use of mobile phones is universal across caste and gender. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 only 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 2 only Answer: b Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: According to the CAMS (Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey), only around 40% of rural Indians aged 15 years and above are able to perform the copy-paste function in digital documents. Statement 2 is correct: The survey reveals that only 37.8% of India’s population aged 15 and above can carry out online banking transactions, indicating that digital financial skills are still not widespread. Statement 3 is incorrect: While mobile phone ownership appears high at the household level, mobile phone usage is not uniform across caste and gender. The survey highlights that women, especially in rural areas and from SC/ST/OBC communities, have significantly lower access and usage rates compared to men and those from the general category. For example, only 25.3% of rural women in the general category use mobile phones exclusively.