The Digital Divide

Who is left behind as services go digital - women, rural residents, the elderly and people with disabilities - and what can close the gap.

As government and markets move online, people without access, skills or devices risk being left behind. This is the digital divide.

Who is left behind

Women: surveys such as the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report found Indian women are significantly less likely than men to own smartphones and use mobile internet.
Rural residents: lower connectivity and fewer devices.
Elderly people: less familiarity with technology.
Low-income households: cost of devices and data.
People with disabilities: when apps and websites aren’t accessible, such as to screen reader users.

Consequences

Exclusion from welfare, banking and jobs.
Education gaps: during COVID-19 school closures, children without devices fell behind.
Dependence on intermediaries, who may charge fees or misuse information.

Closing the gap

Affordable devices and data.
Digital literacy programmes, such as PMGDISHA for rural digital literacy.
Assisted access through Common Service Centres and banking agents.
Accessible design: following accessibility standards so everyone can use services, including through screen readers and voice.
Local languages and voice interfaces.

Accessibility

India’s RPwD Act, 2016 and guidelines require government websites to be accessible. In 2025, the Supreme Court emphasised that digital KYC must be accessible to people with disabilities.

The helper at the centre

An elderly farmer who doesn't use a smartphone visits a village Common Service Centre. The operator helps him apply for a pension and check his PM-KISAN payment, for a small fee.

Thinking everyone now has digital access

Women, rural residents, the elderly and people with disabilities often lack access or skills.

Key takeaways

The digital divide excludes those without access, skills or devices.
Women, rural, elderly and disabled people are most affected.
Affordable devices, literacy programmes and assisted access help.
Accessible design ensures digital services work for everyone.