Published: 21 November 2025General
India's Digital Divide: Gender Gap in ICT Skills Shows Men at 22.8% vs Women at 13.9%
India's digital divide is important for social justice, skill development and digital governance. The 2025 update shows inequality in both ICT skills and access to a computer with internet. In ICT skills, the share for men is 22.78%, while the share for women is 13.91%. This means that the basic skills needed for participation in the digital economy still show a clear gender gap.
The access gap is sharper across income groups. Among the poorest 20% households, computer-with-internet access is 6.8%, while among the richest 20% households it is 66.3%. Dividing 66.3 by 6.8 gives about 9.75, so the gap can be described as nearly ten-fold. Low device availability in rural areas deepens the problem because access to digital services, online education, skill training and employment information often depends on having a device and internet connection.
For exams, this topic is useful for Indian Economy, Science and Technology, Current Affairs, Skill Development and Social Justice. Its scope is national, so it should not be read as only a single-state or single-district problem. In RAS and UPSC preparation, these figures can support prelims factual questions, mains answers on inclusion and governance, and static-GK links with gender equality and rural-urban inequality. The core point is that the digital divide is not only a technology issue; it also reflects unequal access to opportunity, education and economic participation.
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6-axis classification
CoverageNationalSubjectNationalExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · Both
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The I&B Ministry suspended TRP ratings for TV news channels for four weeks due to sensational coverage of which conflict?
Explanation · Correct answer BThe I&B Ministry directed BARC to suspend TRP ratings from March 7, 2026 due to sensational and speculative coverage of the Israel-Iran conflict.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main gender gap in ICT skills in India?
The share for men in ICT skills is 22.78%, while the share for women is 13.91%. This shows a clear gender gap in the skills needed for participation in the digital economy.
How large is the income-group gap in computer and internet access?
Computer-with-internet access is 6.8% among the poorest 20% households and 66.3% among the richest 20% households. Dividing 66.3 by 6.8 gives about 9.75, so it is nearly a ten-fold gap.
Why does this matter for rural areas?
Low device availability in rural areas can limit access to digital services, online education, skill training and employment information. This deepens the digital divide.
How is this topic useful for RAS and UPSC preparation?
The topic connects with Indian Economy, Science and Technology, Current Affairs, Skill Development and Social Justice. It can be used in prelims facts and mains answers on inclusion, governance and unequal access to opportunity.