Share of Indian women using the internet nearly doubles to 64.3 per cent in NFHS-6

The proportion of Indian women who have used the internet at least once has nearly doubled in two years, according to the sixth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) released on 29 May 2026. The share rose from 33.3 per cent in NFHS-5 (2019-2021) to 64.3 per cent in 2023-24, pointing to a major change in digital access among women.

Financial inclusion has also widened. Women who own a bank or savings account rose from 78.6 per cent to 89 per cent during the same period. The share of women with a personal mobile phone moved up from 53.9 per cent to 63.6 per cent. The Union Health Ministry described these numbers as a steady advance in digital inclusion and economic empowerment.

NFHS-6 also tracks menstrual hygiene. The use of hygienic methods of menstrual protection among women aged 15 to 24 rose marginally, from 77.6 per cent to 79.2 per cent. The Ministry credited schemes such as the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram and the supply of low-priced sanitary products under the Janaushadhi programme for the gains in awareness and access.

The survey was conducted during 2023-24 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, as the nodal agency. Field teams covered roughly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts, generating evidence on population, health, nutrition and women’s empowerment at the district level.

While the data shows clear gains in maternal and child health, women’s digital access and financial inclusion, the Ministry also flagged emerging challenges. These include rising non-communicable diseases, lifestyle-linked risks, and the combined burden of undernutrition and adult obesity. Continued focus on preventive health, behaviour change and balanced nutrition is needed, it said.

Overall, NFHS-6 supports India’s reported progress on the Sustainable Development Goals related to health, gender equality and inclusion. Continued emphasis on last-mile service delivery and convergence across programmes is expected to sustain these gains.