Internet users reach 103 crore as affordable data fuels India’s digital growth.
Key Highlights
- Mobile data cost fell by 97% from ₹269 per GB in 2014 to ₹8-10 per GB in 2026.
- Internet users increased four-fold to 103 crore by December 2025.
- Broadband connections surged from 6 crore to nearly 100 crore.
- Affordable internet boosted digital adoption in rural India.
- India’s digital economy reached ₹31.64 lakh crore in 2022-23.
- Digital economy expected to contribute nearly 20% of national income by 2030.
- 12 semiconductor manufacturing projects approved under the government.
- Mobile phone exports jumped to ₹2.6 lakh crore from ₹1,600 crore.
- Mobile manufacturing units increased from 2 to over 300.
- Aadhaar registrations crossed 144 crore.
New Delhi, June 10: Mobile data in India has become nearly 97 per cent cheaper over the last 12 years, helping drive a massive expansion in internet access and digital services across the country, according to a government document released to mark 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led government.
The document states that the cost of 1 GB of mobile data has fallen from ₹269 in 2014 to around ₹8-10 in 2026. The sharp decline has boosted internet adoption, particularly in rural areas, and opened up greater access to information, education, digital payments and online services.
India’s internet user base has grown more than four-fold during the period, rising from about 25 crore users in 2014 to 103 crore by December 2025. Broadband connections have also witnessed rapid growth, increasing from 6 crore to nearly 100 crore.
The government said affordable internet connectivity has played a crucial role in expanding the country’s digital footprint and supporting the growth of e-commerce, online services and digital entrepreneurship. This expansion has contributed to employment generation and economic growth.
According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s report titled “Estimation and Measurement of India’s Digital Economy”, the digital economy accounted for 11.74 per cent of India’s national income in 2022-23, equivalent to ₹31.64 lakh crore. The report projects that the sector could contribute nearly one-fifth of the country’s national income by 2030.
The document also highlighted progress in strategic technology sectors. India has approved 12 semiconductor manufacturing projects, compared to none in 2014, as part of efforts to strengthen domestic chip production and reduce dependence on imports.
The country’s mobile manufacturing sector has expanded significantly over the past decade. Mobile phone exports have surged to ₹2.6 lakh crore from just ₹1,600 crore in 2014, while the number of mobile manufacturing units has increased from only two to more than 300.
Additionally, Aadhaar enrolments have crossed 144 crore, up from 61.01 crore in 2014, reflecting the growing scale of India’s digital identity infrastructure.
The government said these developments underline India’s transformation into one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies, supported by affordable internet access, expanding digital infrastructure and increased domestic technology manufacturing.
