Key facts
- The cost of 1 GB of mobile data has dropped by 97% to Rs 8-10 from Rs 269 in 2014.
- Internet users have grown to 103 crore by December 2025, a four-fold increase from 2014.
- Broadband connections have surged 17 times to nearly 100 crore.
- India's digital economy was valued at Rs 31.64 lakh crore in 2022-23.
- The country has become a leading exporter of mobile phones, with exports rising 163 times.
The cost of mobile data in India has dramatically decreased over the past 12 years, falling by 97% to approximately Rs 8-10 per GB from Rs 269 in 2014. This significant reduction in data costs has fueled a surge in internet usage, particularly in rural areas, and contributed to the growth of India's digital economy.
According to an official document detailing 12 years of the Modi government's achievements, internet users have quadrupled to 103 crore by December 2025, compared to 25 crore in 2014. Broadband connections have seen an even more substantial increase, jumping 17 times to nearly 100 crore during the same period.
The report, titled 'Estimation and Measurement of India's Digital Economy,' estimates the country's digital economy at 11.74% of its national income in 2022-23, equivalent to Rs 31.64 lakh crore (approximately USD 402 billion). Projections suggest the digital economy will grow at nearly double the pace of the overall economy, potentially accounting for one-fifth of national income by 2030.
India has also made strides in technological infrastructure, including the development of indigenous 5G telecom gears and vital semiconductor chips. The country now has 12 approved chip manufacturing plants, a significant increase from none in 2014. Furthermore, India has transitioned from being a net importer to a leading exporter of mobile phones, with export values soaring by 163 times to Rs 2.6 lakh crore. The number of mobile device manufacturing units has also expanded to over 300 from just two in 2014. Aadhaar card generation has crossed the 144 crore mark.