Comprehensive Modular Survey – Telecom (CMS:T)

According to the results of CMS:T, there has been a marked increase in the number of Indians who use  mobile phones and access the internet. 

• Access to the internet can be a powerful tool for empowerment, enabling individuals to access information, connect with others, and participate in civic and economic life.

About the Comprehensive Modular Survey – Telecom (CMS:T)

• The Comprehensive Modular Survey: Telecom (CMS: T) was conducted as part of the 80th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS) from January to March 2025. 
• It was conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO).
• Unlike other NSS surveys, there was no state participation in CMS: T.  
• The survey was conducted alongside the ongoing ‘Household Social Consumption: Health’ survey under the NSS 80th round. 
• It collected data on:  
  • Mobile and internet usage (household & individual level)  
  • Selected ICT skills  
• Data was gathered through Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI). 
• Mobile ownership: Having an active SIM card for personal use (includes employer-provided phones).  
  • Joint ownership is not counted, ownership is based on majority use.  

Key Highlights on Mobile Phone and Internet Usage in India

• Household Smartphone: 85.5% of Indian households have at least one smartphone.  
• Internet Access: 86.3% of households have internet access within their premises.  
• Online Banking & UPI Adoption: Among those who can perform online banking transactions, 99.5% reported using UPI (Unified Payments Interface).  

Mobile Ownership Among Women in India

• Lowest Mobile Ownership by Women: Chhattisgarh (39%), Tripura (40.4%), and Madhya Pradesh (42.4%) have the lowest mobile phone ownership among women (aged 15+).  
  • 10 states/UTs fall below the national average of 56.2% women owning mobile phones.  
  • Highest Mobile Ownership by Women: Goa & Ladakh (92%) lead, followed by Mizoram (88.5%), Kerala (85%), and Puducherry (83%).  
• Urban vs. Rural Divide:  
  • Urban areas: 72% of women own mobile phones.  
  • Rural areas: Only 48% of women own mobile phones.  
  • Men’s ownership: 90% (urban) and 80.7% (rural).  
• Mobile Usage Trends: 79.8% of women used mobile phones in the last three months.  
• This data highlights significant disparities in mobile access for women, especially in rural and low-performing states.  

Data among the Youth (Age Group 15-29 Years)

• Mobile Phone Usage:
  • Rural areas: 96.8% of individuals (Age Group 15-29 Years) used mobile phones for personal calls or internet access in the last three months.  
  • Urban areas: 97.6% of individuals used mobile phones in the same period.  
• Smartphone Ownership:  
  • Rural areas: 95.5% of mobile phone owners in this age group own a smartphone.  
  • Urban areas: 97.6% of mobile phone owners in this age group own a smartphone.  
• Internet Usage:  
  • Rural areas: 92.7% of individuals accessed the internet at least once in the last three months.  
  • Urban areas: 95.7% of individuals accessed the internet in the same period.  

• These findings highlight the widespread adoption of mobile phones, smartphones, and internet services among India’s youth and households.