Structure:

Introduction:  (up to 30 words) Explain what is Digital divide and the various ways/forms in which it may exist.

Body: (up to 100 words) Explain the various factors responsible for Digital Divide in India

Conclusion:  (up to 30 words) Conclude by suggesting ways to bring down/reduce Digital Divide in India.

Supporting Points:

India has more than 630 million internet subscribers. But for every Indian who has access to the internet, there is at least one who does not and that person is most likely living in a rural area. This is more than the total population of the US, the United Kingdom, Russia and South Africa put together.

The importance of ICT to both economic and social development explains the priority of bridging what has come to be known as the “digital divide”.

Interaction between human and computers has greatly increased as we embark on the twenty-first century. The ability to access computers and the internet has become increasingly important to completely immerse oneself in the economic, political, and social aspects of the world. However, not everyone has access to this technology. The idea of the "digital divide" refers to the growing gap between the underprivileged members of society, especially the poor, rural, elderly, and handicapped portion of the population who do not have access to computers or the internet; and the wealthy, middle-class, and the young living in urban and suburban areas who have access.

As per data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the country has an internet density of 48.4. This represents the number of internet subscribers per 100 people in the population.

Even though 66% of the country's population lives in its villages, rural internet density is just 25.3. In comparison, urban areas have a significantly higher density of 97.9. This means that for every Indian who has access to the internet, there is at least one who does not and that person is most likely living in a rural area.

Reasons for Digital Divide:

1. Education: Low literacy levels are widening the digital inequality gap. College degree holders are perceived to be 10 times more likely to tap into the full potential of the internet and computers in their day to day lives compared to individuals with high school education or lower.
2. Income Levels: The income gap plays a considerable role in magnifying the digital divide. High-income earners are 20 times more likely to access the internet than low-income earners. Wealthy families are more likely to own computers and at home high-speed internet connection than low-income families. For low-income population money is scarce. Their earnings are channeled towards basic needs. They view technology as a luxury.
3. Economic development: More economically developed countries have access to a wide variety of technology and high-speed broadband connection because of the richness of their economies. Less economically developed countries lack the necessary technology and infrastructure to set up a high-speed internet connection.
4. Urban-rural divide: In-country geographical restrictions also widen the digital divide. Urban regions are more likely to have access to 4G or fiber optic internet than rural or mountainous zones.
5. Motivation and General Interest: There is a portion of the global population that has the necessary income; education and computer literacy but have zero interest to learn about computers and the potential of the internet. Some view it as a luxury. Another group finds it too complicated to comprehend.
6. Digital Literacy: Developed nations have more comprehensive access to computers among other devices and high-speed internet connection. Students who attend schools with sufficient computers and learn the necessary digital skills have an upper advantage over students who are not exposed to these technologies at an early age.
7. The lack of physical access to technology especially in developing countries widens the gap between the information rich and information poor.
8. Gender Divide: According to a 2013 report, the internet gender gap is striking especially in developing countries. Though mobile connectivity is spreading drastically, it is not spreading equally. Women are still lagging. Men in low-income countries are 90% more likely to own a mobile phone than women.
9. Age factor: Older/elderly people find it more difficult to adapt and adopt latest technologies.

Some measures in Bridging the divide:

1. The government is trying to bridge the gap by providing broadband connectivity to the country's 250,000 village councils through BharatNet.
2. In 2014, the Government of India launched Digital India Scheme as an umbrella program which aims to provide universal access to mobile connectivity and public internet access program.
3. Last-mile connectivity issues in both urban and rural areas, through the use of public Wi-Fi infrastructure.
4. Rising penetration of smartphones and consumption of mobile data is at the forefront of bridging the gap. For this, mobile phones must affordable, wireless connectivity must be accessible and infrastructure available.
5. Digital literacy and access: The digital divide can be bridged only if communities have access to digital channels and are aware of how to use them. An ambitious Digital Literacy Mission Scheme for rural India hopes to cover about 60 million households. The industry is working with NGOs at the grassroots to drive digital literacy.
6. Women empowerment: Women must be empowered to afford and access modern technology and encouraged in this front.