Nielsen’s India Internet Report 2025 says 94% go online via mobile data, 622 million own smartphones, and users are almost evenly split between men and women.
Video is the top activity, used by 78% of internet users, while 74% use social networks; more than one-third of smartphone owners also share devices within households.
The report says India’s internet market is maturing beyond basic access, with South India leading connected TV adoption and brands facing a more fragmented, multi-platform digital audience.
As India targets a trillion-dollar digital economy, how will it connect the 440 million citizens still left offline?
As nations ban social media for kids, can India's new parental consent rules truly protect its youngest users?
With data laws tightening by 2027, will India's tech boom clash with fundamental rights like press freedom?
Understanding India's 2026 Internet User Base Decline to 915 Million: SIM Consolidation and Rural Growth Dynamics
Overview
India's reported decline in internet users from 958 million in 2025 to 915 million in early 2026 is mainly due to SIM consolidation, where users reduced multiple SIM cards to one amid rising economic pressures and urban market saturation. Meanwhile, rural India drives growth with 55% of users, supported by affordable smartphones, government initiatives, and falling data costs. Connected TV adoption surged 85% in 2025, fueled by cheaper smart TVs and vernacular content, expanding digital access beyond cities. Short-video platforms thrive on widespread smartphone use, though domestic apps face challenges against global leaders. Despite progress, 630 million remain offline due to literacy, affordability, and gender gaps, which government programs and AI tools aim to address for inclusive digital growth.