India's Leap in Tech Adaptability

Two decades ago, many Indians first experienced digital play on the tiny monochrome screens of early mobile phones, where the simple Snake game kept them hooked for hours. At the time, mobile phones were a novelty, used sparingly for calls and the occasional SMS. Today, smartphones are gateways to communication, commerce, education, and payments – driving India's digital inclusion story. The country has embraced the frontiers of digital innovation, with its digital transformation market projected to grow from USD 124.42 billion in 2025 to USD 267.01 billion by 2030.

- BY SURESH KHADAKBHAVI CEO, DIGI YATRA FOUNDATION

One striking example of this leap is in air travel, where passengers can now glide through airport boarding gates using nothing more than their face as the single token. India's digital journey – from basics to biometrics – reflects an unmatched ability to adapt technology at scale.

TECH ADAPTATION

Mobile penetration, once limited to urban elites, expanded rapidly into rural heartlands. Today, India has over 1.17 billion mobile connections and nearly 650 million smartphone users, bringing digital access to millions who were once disconnected. This leap was accelerated by affordable internet, especially after the 2016 data revolution, which dramatically reduced data costs and propelled India to become the world's second-largest online market with over 806 million internet users in 2025.