India now has 958 million active internet users; 57% of these are from rural areas

India's internet user base reaches 958 million, with 57% from rural areas, highlighting rapid digital adoption across the country.

India’s Internet user base reached cusp of 1 billion led by AI adoption, short-video consumption and E-Commerce, reported the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), a not-for-profit body representing the digital services sector, here on Thursday (January 29, 2026).

According to IAMAI’s latest edition of Internet in India report, India now has 958 million Active Internet Users (AIUs), reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s largest and fastest evolving digital markets. The report also reveals that rural India accounts for 57% of India’s active internet users i.e approximately 548 million active internet users.

AI seen mass adoption in the country

The ‘Internet in India Report 2025,’ jointly prepared by the IAMAI and KANTAR, and was launched at the India Digital Summit (IDS) in Bengaluru found that the country’s active internet users base grew 8% year‑on‑year growth in calendar 2025. Artificial Intelligence has reached mass adoption in the country, found the survey, which also revealed that 44% of these users were already using AI‑enabled features such as voice search, image‑based search, chatbots and AI filters. The AI usage was the highest among younger audiences, with 57% of users aged 15- 24 years and 52% of those aged 25- 44 years reporting AI usage in CY 2025.

Short-video consumption a key driver

Short‑video consumption has emerged as a key growth driver within this expanding user base. In 2025, 588 million (61%) internet users consumed short‑video content, with rural users marginally outnumbering urban users. Adoption is strongest among younger audiences, cementing their role as a key driver of digital engagement.