Right to internet access: Bridging India’s digital divide

In a world where your identity, education, entertainment and even career can exist entirely online, internet access has quietly evolved from a convenience into a fundamental right. That’s why, on Human Rights Day, the conversation around India’s digital divide feels more urgent than ever. The modern era is powered by technology—AI assistants, online learning, remote work, digital banking and creator-led careers. But millions of Indians are still standing outside this digital revolution, not because they don’t want to participate, but because access remains unequal.

If the 2020s taught us anything, it’s that the internet is not just a tool—it’s a lifeline. And making it accessible to all is one of the most relevant human rights discussions of our time.

Why internet access is a human rights issue in India

India has one of the world’s largest online populations, yet also one of the largest offline populations. Millions in rural and remote regions still face poor connectivity, unaffordable data plans or lack of devices. This gap affects almost every aspect of life:

• Students miss out on digital learning
• Women and older adults are excluded from digital services
• Job seekers lose access to opportunities
• Small businesses struggle to compete
• Creators in rural areas lack visibility and resources

In a country where government schemes, banking, healthcare and employment portals are increasingly digital, lack of internet access translates directly into lack of rights.

Human Rights Day forces us to ask: Can we call ourselves digitally empowered if so, many are left behind?

It’s also about literacy

Even when connections exist, many Indians lack digital literacy. Knowing how to avoid scams, use online payments, navigate forms, or build a digital portfolio is just as important as having a network signal.

This is where creators and educators play a powerful role. Short-form tutorials on UPI safety, vernacular-language guides on basic tech skills, and community-led workshops can accelerate digital inclusion far faster than traditional methods.

Bridging the digital gap

Closing the divide requires combined effort—from government, telecom providers, creators, NGOs and the tech industry. Here are meaningful ways India can move forward:

1. Expand affordable high-speed broadband to rural and underserved regions through public–private partnerships.
2. Increase subsidies for smartphones and laptops for low-income students and workers.
3. Build community digital hubs equipped with Wi-Fi, computers and mentors.
4. Integrate digital literacy programmes in government schools and panchayat centres.
5. Encourage creators to produce regional-language tech education content.
6. Promote safe internet practices to build confidence among older adults and first-time users.
7. Support local tech startups working on connectivity innovation like satellite internet or low-cost mesh networks.

With the right strategies, India can narrow the gap dramatically over the next decade.

As India steps deeper into an AI-driven world, the right to internet access becomes foundational to human development. It shapes how people learn, earn, connect and express themselves. This Human Rights Day, bridging the digital divide isn’t just a policy mission—it’s a moral one. A connected India is an empowered India, and ensuring universal internet access is the first step toward a more inclusive digital future.