Link to paperAbstract:
India’s digital divide is analyzed in terms of geographic patterns and socioeconomic influences. Information and communication technology indicators spanning access, skills, use, and infrastructure are mapped and geographic patterns, disparities between states, and agglomerations are analyzed. Clusters of states differ in demographic, educational, and occupational attributes. Regression models reveal that the digital divide in India’s states is influenced by urbanization, agricultural occupation, literacy rate, post graduate education, and scheduled caste population. Concerted efforts to bridge urban-rural digital disparities, gaps in literacy and educational attainment, and alleviate historical marginalization of disadvantaged castes can gradually bridge the digital divide in Indian states.
