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India restricted internet access 84 times in 2024, a decrease from 116 in 2023, yet it remains the highest among democratic nations, according to digital rights group Access Now.
India recorded 84 internet shutdowns in 2024, making it the highest among democratic nations, according to a report by digital rights organization Access Now. The country was only surpassed by Myanmar, where the military junta imposed 85 such blackouts.
This marks the first time in six years that India has not topped the global list for the most internet shutdowns.
“Despite a slight decline from 2023, when 116 shutdowns were recorded, India still enforced 84 disruptions in 2024—the highest among democratic nations that year,” the report, published on Monday, stated.
Out of the 84 internet shutdowns recorded, 41 were implemented in response to protests, while 23 were enforced due to communal violence, according to the report. Additionally, authorities imposed five shutdowns last year during government job placement examinations.
Internet shutdowns were enforced in more than 16 Indian states and Union Territories, highlighting ongoing concerns about digital access and governance.
According to state-wise data, Manipur recorded the highest number of shutdowns (21), followed by Haryana (12) and Jammu & Kashmir (12), making them the most affected regions in the country.
Commenting on the issue, Namrata Maheshwari, Senior Policy Counsel at Access Now, stated, “Shutdowns are incompatible with India’s global leadership ambitions, whether in AI, digital governance, or skilling. No other democracy disconnects people from the internet repeatedly, without oversight or accountability, year after year.
Highlighting the lack of safeguards in the Telecommunications Act 2023 and the Telecom Suspension Rules 2024, Maheshwari called on authorities to “repeal rights-violating laws and ensure that 2025 becomes a shutdown-free year for all people in India.”
Parts of the revised telecom legislative framework were implemented last year. A major criticism of the Telecom Act is its retention of colonial-era provisions from the Telegraph Act of 1885, allowing government-imposed internet shutdowns without introducing safeguards such as independent oversight to review such orders.
Currently, the legal validity of shutdown orders is assessed by a three-member committee consisting of secretary-level officials at both the central and state levels.
Internet shutdown: India stands second in world in 2024.
This is the first time in six years that India was not named as the country which saw the most number of internet shutdowns in the world.
New Delhi: India recorded 84 internet shutdowns in 2024, making it the second-highest in the world, according to a report by digital rights organization Access Now.
The report revealed that Myanmar topped the list with 85 blackouts, imposed by the country’s military junta.
India No Longer Leads in Global Internet Shutdowns, But Still Tops Among Democracies
For the first time in six years, India was not ranked as the country with the highest number of shutdowns worldwide, according to a recent report. However, the country still recorded 84 shutdowns in 2024, the highest among democratic nations. This marks a decrease from the 116 shutdowns imposed in 2023.
The report, published on Monday, revealed that internet shutdowns were enforced in 16 Indian states and union territories, with Manipur leading the list at 21 shutdowns, followed by Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir, each experiencing 12. Of the total 84 disruptions, 41 were linked to protests, while 23 were imposed in response to communal violence. Additionally, authorities enforced internet blackouts five times during government job examinations last year.
Globally, 296 internet shutdowns were documented across 54 countries in 2024, reflecting a significant increase from the 283 recorded in 2023 across 39 nations. The report highlighted that conflicts, protests, elections, and exams remain the most frequent reasons cited by authorities for imposing such restrictions.
Pakistan ranked third with 21 shutdowns, followed by Russia (13), Ukraine (7), Palestine (6), and Bangladesh (5). Myanmar, India, and Pakistan together accounted for over 64% of all recorded shutdowns in 2024.
The report recommended that governments with a history of internet shutdowns conduct thorough investigations, ensure accountability, and provide remedies for those affected. It also urged the global community to hold responsible authorities accountable for human rights violations and other abuses carried out under the guise of internet restrictions.
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