Analysing Internet access and digital skills in India, Pg7

Key Highlights

• Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey (CAMS) (2022–23) is India’s first large-scale survey assessing Internet access and digital skill levels.
• While 76.3% households have broadband, digital inequality persists across states, caste, gender, and income groups.
• Gender gap, caste divide, and urban-rural disparities remain significant.
• Only a small fraction of the population has advanced digital skills such as email usage, spreadsheets, or online banking.
• Poorer households still struggle with access, despite government's framing of broadband as a basic utility.

Detailed Insights

1. Broadband Penetration

• Overall: 76.3% households have broadband.
• Urban: 86.5%
• Rural: 71.2%
• High-performing States (>90%): Delhi, Goa, Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh.
• Low-performing States (<70%): WB (69.3%), AP (66.5%), Odisha (65.3%), Arunachal Pradesh (60.2%).

2. Caste-based Disparities

• General category: 84.1%
• OBCs: 77.5%
• SCs: 69.1%
• STs: 64.8%
  🡪 Socially backward groups continue to be digitally marginalised.

3. Income Inequality & Digital Access

• In bottom 10% MPCE class, 71.6% lack broadband.
• In top 10%, only 1.9% lack access.
• It means income strongly correlates with digital access. 

4. Mobile Phone Usage

• Rural households: 94.2% have mobile/landline.
• Urban households: 97.1%.

5. Internet Technology Adoption- 4G usage:

• Urban: >70%
• Rural: Just over 50%
• Primitive tech (<4G): Used by 40.4% of population

6. Digital Skills – Basic Proficiency Still Low

• Internet use (15+ age): Rural: 53.6%, Urban: 74%
• Send/receive emails: Rural: 20%, Urban: 40%
• Online banking (15+): Only 37.8% capable

Key Concepts Involved

• CAMS (Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey):
  A modular survey by NSSO (2022–23) assessing household digital access and skills. Sample size: ~3 lakh households.
• MPCE (Monthly Per Capita Consumption Expenditure):
  Proxy for household income – helps in inequality studies.
• Digital Divide:
  Gap in access, usage, and proficiency of digital tools due to socio-economic barriers.
• SDG Target 4.4:
  Enhance skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment and entrepreneurship by 2030.

Mains Practice Questions

Digital access must be treated as a public good." In light of this statement, evaluate current policy initiatives and suggest reforms.