India Inequality Report 2022

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Social Justice/Indian Society

Source: Economic Times

Context: According to ‘India Inequality Report 2022: Digital Divide’ released by the NGO Oxfam India – growing inequalities based on caste, religion, gender, class, and geographic location are being worryingly replicated in the digital space in India.

Key Highlights of the report:

• Gender Divide:
  • • Women constitute only one-third of internet users in India
    • 61% of men-owned mobile phones compared to just 31 % of women in 2021
• Rural-Urban Divide:
  • • Only 31 per cent of the rural population uses the Internet compared to 67 per cent of their urban counterparts
    • Maharashtra has the highest internet penetration, while Bihar has the lowest.
• Religion and Caste wise Divide:
  • • Sikhs have the highest likelihood of having a computer followed by Christians, Hindus and lastly Muslims.
    • The tendency to use formal financial services is lowest for ST households, followed by SC households and OBC households.
• Division because of poverty:
  • • The chances of having a computer are higher with higher levels of education as well as income.
    • The likelihood of a digital payment by the richest 60 per cent is four times more than the poorest 40 per cent in India.

About Digital Divide:

The digital divide is a term that refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology (ICT), and those that do not or have restricted access.
 

Determinants of Digital Divide:

• Low literacy and income levels.
• Geographical restrictions.
• Lack of motivation to use technology.
• Lack of physical access to technology.
• Digital illiteracy.

Tackling Digital Divide:

• Create awareness about digital platforms.
• Enhance digital skills among the population.
• Investment to bridge the digital divide – create better infrastructure.

Indian Government Initiatives to tackle digital divide:

• Jan-Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity
• Bharat Net
• Digital Payments
• Optical Fibre Network (NOF-N)

Insta Link:

Digital Divide

Mains Link:

Q. What is the digital divide? What are its implications?  Examine how India and its states are faring in bridging the digital divide. 150 Words