Daily News Analysis ‘Assessing India’s Progress Towards SDG 4 Through Digital Skills and Connectivity’ : 17 June

About SDG 4 Digital Targets:

• Target 4.4.1: Share of youth/adults with basic ICT skills.
• Target 4.4.2: Level of digital proficiency among the population.

Key Findings of  Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey (CAMS) 2022–23:

1. Internet Access (Broadband)

• All-India average: 76.3% of households have broadband.
• Rural–Urban split:
  • Rural: 71.2%
  • Urban: 86.5%
• High-performing states (>90%): Delhi, Goa, Mizoram, Manipur, Sikkim, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh.
• Low-performing states (<70%): West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh.

2. Caste-wise Digital Divide

• General category: 84.1% of households with broadband.
• OBC: 77.5%; SC: 69.1%; ST: 64.8%.
• Indicates persistent inequality in access among socially backward groups.

3. Economic Disparity

• Bottom 10% (by MPCE): 71.6% of households lack broadband.
• Top 10%: Only 1.9% lack broadband.
• Suggestion: Consider providing broadband subsidies to low-income households for universal digital access.

4. Mobile Connectivity

• Overall mobile/telephone ownership:
  • Rural: 94.2%
  • Urban: 97.1%
• Mobile usage (age 15+):
  • Urban: 92.4%
  • Rural: 83.9%
• Gender and social divide:
  • Rural women in the general category: 25.3% use mobile phones.
  • Urban general category women: 51.2%.
  • Lower usage among SC/ST/OBC women in both areas.

5. Mobile Technology Usage

• Rural users with 4G: Just above 50%.
• Urban users with 4G: Over 70%.
• People using technology older than 4G: 40.4%.
• 5G usage: Negligible across India.

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